OREM, Utah — Presidential hopeful Nikki Haley made a stop in Orem at Utah Valley University for a rally to build support ahead of Super Tuesday.
The event was held at the Noorda Center for the Performing Arts at UVU. The theater was packed, and there was even an overflow room for everyone who showed up to listen.
In her speech, one of Haley’s main selling points was that she's different from former President Donald Trump. She wants to be the other option for Republican voters who want something different than the “MAGA” administration. She also said Trump is the reason states are losing GOP leadership with voters instead opting for Democrats.
"If Donald Trump is the nominee, we will lose. It’s that simple. We will lose. He’s going to be in a court case in March and April and May and June," Haley said to Wednesday's crowd.
Haley also spoke about government spending. She commented on the looming budget deadline that has caused fears over a potential government shutdown.
"If 8% of our budget is interest, quit borrowing," Haley said. "You have to balance a budget. I had to balance a budget as governor. Why is Congress the only group that refused to balance a budget?"
“I would love to tell you that Joe Biden did that to us," she continued, "and he sent us down this roller coaster of socialism that’s dangerous. But I’ve always spoken in hard truths, and I’m going to do that with you today. Donald Trump and our Republicans did that to us too.”
She was introduced to the stage by Lt. Gov. Deidre Henderson, who endorsed Haley last month.
"Her experience, depth, dignity is exactly what our country needs right now," Henderson said.
After the rally, Haley spoke one-on-one with FOX 13 News. She discussed specific topics that many Utahns care about, like the environment.
“I think what Joe Biden’s tried to do by heavily regulating and requiring everybody to drive an electric car by 2033 is not the answer because it takes people’s freedoms away," she said, "and you’re actually encouraging something where 70% of the batteries are made in China.”
She also touched on immigration. Her parents immigrated legally from India, and she says there need to be stricter measures in place.
“It’s not fair to those who are in line waiting to get in and waiting years to get in, while others just cross the border and come in," Haley said.
Over the last two months, as voters have cast their ballots in various primaries, Haley has lost in multiple states including her home state of South Carolina.
Despite the losses, Haley has vowed to stay in the race at least until after Super Tuesday on March 5.
Haley has made it clear that if she loses, she’s not trying to be Trump’s vice president or take on any other leadership role.
READ: Will Nikki Haley's battle strategy against Trump work?
Most recently, Haley made an appearance in Grand Rapids, Michigan on Monday, calling the Republican Party a "sinking ship" and saying the party needs a "young, new generational leader that can go and put in eight years of day-and-night work and get solutions done for the American people."
Following Wednesday's rally in Utah, Haley will host campaign rallies in Virginia, Washington D.C., North Carolina, Massachusetts, Vermont, Maine and Texas before Super Tuesday.
