These days, Haley projects calm, but also a deep sadness. She is known for being a sober, rational decision-maker — but those close to her say the killings in Charleston have made her emotionally raw.

“It felt like we were just broken,” Haley says. “Truly, the state of South Carolina was just broken like I had never seen. And the only thought was, how are we ever going to pull this back together?”

Katon Dawson, former chairman of the South Carolina Republican Party, said that as a candidate, Haley was crusading “against the good old boys.” This time is no different.

“That’s a herculean effort that Nikki started,” Dawson said, adding that most Carolinians are with her. “One said this morning, ‘Katon, I get it, I’m tired of it, I’m tired of the discussion, I’m tired of the excuses. I’m tired of it.’ ”