By Alexa Cheaney
Many gathered in support of Republican presidential candidate Nikki Haley at the Amway Plaza in Grand Rapids on Monday, Feb. 26, just one day ahead of the state primary. Appearing resilient following a loss in her home state of South Carolina, the former U.N. Ambassador maintained her position that Donald Trump will lose the 2024 election if he becomes the presidential nominee, and that she is the right woman for the job.
While a longtime battleground state, Haley pointed back to historical success that Republicans have had in Michigan prior to the 2016 election, saying Republicans used to win races “up and down the ticket” but the traction the party once had has since been put to a halt.
“The Republican party is fully divided, and you now have factions,” Haley said. “You can’t win a general election if you don’t acknowledge the 40% of Republicans who don’t want Donald Trump.”
Due to numerous factors, many voters at Haley’s rally seemed to have lost faith in the former president, and have gravitated toward Haley as their candidate of choice.
Conservative Republican Kathleen Sindorf, 65, of Rockford shares in this distaste.
“I’m just disgusted with Donald Trump’s lack of morality, with his arrogance, and I think Nikki has great experience being with the U.N,” Sinford said.
The experience of the former ambassador and South Carolina governor also drew in the support of Rockford native Rita Lazdins.
“I hope she wins the nomination,” Lazdins said. “It seems like a long shot, but the other person is not qualified to be anything.”
Despite not winning a single primary thus far, Haley gave no indication that she would be withdrawing from the race anytime soon.
“We are continuing to see the dollars come in because Americans want a voice, and we’re giving them that voice,” said Haley when asked if she intends to stay in the race through Super Tuesday. “As long as Americans want me to be that voice, I will continue to fight for them.”
Haley made many policy promises to her supporters on the Amway stage, including congressional term limits and mental competency tests for those over 75, and emphasized that now is the time for a new generation of leaders.
Future-voters, 16-year-old Olivia Searls, 15-year-old Julianna Cowles and 16-year-old Brianna Barle, all of Coldwater, heard that Haley would be in town during a Michigan Association of Student Councils and Honors Societies leadership conference. The girls were excited to hear the news of the campaign stop, calling it a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity.
“We are definitely the upcoming generation,” said Searls ”We are the next leaders in our communities and in our country, and I think we really have to step up and be that person because that is our future.”
Grand Rapids native, 18-year-old Manuel Lopez, agrees that it’s time for a change.
“I’m excited for a new generation of leadership and to have someone who is ready to unite our country,” said Lopez. “I’m excited that (Haley) is ready to bring a new generation and cut our debt that the next generation is going to have to deal with…I think it’s time we have someone who (is) ready to fight for students and fight for all.”
Haley acknowledged the stress that the younger generations are faced with when thinking about their future.
“The focus needs to be on the younger generation,” said Haley. “Because all they feel is the anger, the hatred and the division. They wonder how they are ever going to own a home, get a job, make ends meet and if war is going to break out. Americans owe it to our kids and (our) grandkids that we start to get our country to a unified place where we are all Americans.
Polling for the primary opens at 7 a.m. on Tuesday, Feb. 26 and closes at 8 p.m. If you are in line when the polls close, but have yet to cast your ballot, you can remain in line until you are able to do so.
“In general elections you are given a choice,” said Haley. “In primary elections you make your choice.”
Collegiate Editor-in-Chief Blace Carpenter contributed to this story.
