PORTLAND, Maine — Republican presidential hopeful Nikki Haley rallied supporters in Portland Sunday night with a mission to secure more votes ahead of Tuesday's election.
"We can do something where we have a new generational leader," Haley told the crowd gathered at the Elks Lodge on Congress Street.
It is that message she hopes resonates with moderate and independent voters in the state, like Eva Balog.
"I voted for Biden last time around," Balog said. "I'm an independent. I hope that she's the alternative to Trump."
The former U.N. ambassador, former governor of South Carolina, and mother of three said she wants common sense and respect back in the White House and was excited at the prospect of a female president.
"I think Maine does want that. I think Maine does have this history of bipartisanship" she said.
Despite an interruption by supporters of former President Donald Trump, Haley stood firm on issues like the economy and immigration, trying to paint Trump and President Joe Biden as "old" and "tired."
In an interview with NEWS CENTER Maine, Haley acknowledged she trails behind in the polls but insisted she is confident going into Super Tuesday.
"I think that this is a ship with a hole in it. Donald Trump is that hole. If we ignore the hole, we're going to go down with the ship. But there's another opportunity. There's another alternative. And that's what we're giving the people of Maine," Haley said.
When asked about the fact Maine will be holding a semi-open presidential primary for the first time, Haley said she welcomes the support from any party.
"I mean, I think we're seeing across the country, that Republicans have left the Republican party, Democrats have left the Democrat Party, and there are now more independents and unaffiliated voters than we've seen in a long time," she said.
Winning over those voters could be easier now that she has the endorsement of Maine's senior senator, Republican Susan Collins.
On Saturday, Collins joined Sen. Lisa Murkowski, R-Alaska, in endorsing Haley, saying she has the "intellect and temperament" the country needs in a president. Collins was not in attendance at Sunday's event.
“I voted for Nikki Haley in the Maine primary,” Collins said in a statement. “Her experience as a successful Governor and as a strong representative of our country as ambassador to the United Nations makes her extremely well-qualified to serve as our first female president.
Haley said the endorsement was a big boost at a time when Republicans need to stand-up to the so-called "MAGA" wing of the party.
"I mean we're just so grateful. That was a very courageous move for her," Haley told NEWS CENTER Maine. "The fact that she said, 'No this is not the direction we want to go, we want to go in a different direction,' I'm very grateful."
Ultimately, it will be up to Maine voters to decide if Haley is the "different direction" they're looking for.
"Hopeful she can pull this out on Super Tuesday," voter Meg Bulloch said.
NEWS CENTER Maine reached out to the Trump campaign to ask if the former president plans to visit Maine before Tuesday but did not hear back.