Nikki Haley South Carolina’s 1st woman governor

She is the first American raised as a Sikh to hold the office of governor.

Haley won over state Sen. Vincent Sheheen in a contest that flipped between the candidates by the minute Tuesday night.

Haley is a three-term House member who campaigned as a political outsider and earned the backing of Sarah Palin.

The 38-year-old married mother of two beat back unproven accusations of infidelity and questions about her finances and experience.

Sheheen made the contest closer than anyone expected.