COLUMBIA - South Carolina Gov. Nikki Haley's selection to give the Republican response to the State of the Union address won't be her debut on the national stage.

Haley drew wide praise for her leadership after the June 17 slaying of nine parishioners of historic Emanuel AME Church in Charleston and successfully led calls to bring down a Confederate flag that had flown on Statehouse grounds for 54 years.

Since taking office in 2011, Haley has staunchly criticized President Barack Obama on everything from health care reform to immigration.

In 2012, she spoke at the Republican National Convention and campaigned for past GOP presidential nominee Mitt Romney. She also promoted her 2012 memoir with a national book tour.

Haley becomes the first South Carolinian and third Republican woman ever to give the response.