Nikki Haley

Here’s a switch: 2010 gubernatorial candidate Nikki Haley on Friday became one of the few public officials in South Carolina to come out and call on embattled Gov. Mark Sanford NOT to resign.

In doing so, Haley, a state representative, not only backed up Sanford, whom she has aligned herself with based on their shared fiscal conservatism, but also took a swipe at potential 2010 primary rival, Lt. Gov. Andre Bauer , who would ascend to the governor’s mansion if Sanford steps down.  

“I have major concerns about … the direction our government could take under the Lieutenant Governor should Governor Sanford resign,” Haley said in a statement. “As elected officials our actions must be in the best interests of the state – not in the interests of settling long-held political scores – and it is my sincere belief that South Carolina cannot afford to go back to the good-ole-boy system that so badly serves the taxpayers and undermines our government.”