CLAREMONT — Republican presidential candidate Nikki Haley touted her ability to speak “hard truths” during a town hall event on Tuesday at the Claremont Senior Center. In a 45-minute speech, the former South Carolina governor and former U.S. ambassador to the United Nations prioritized a need to strengthen national security, reign in federal spending and to restore patriotic pride.

Over 100 people filled the senior center’s reception hall to hear Haley, who has made 45 campaign visits in New Hampshire this year, including a town hall event at Dartmouth College in July.

According to 538’s aggregate polling data of the 2024 Republican primary candidates, as of Monday, Haley’s 6% trails former President Donald Trump (52%), Ron DeSantis (14%) and Vivek Ramaswamy (8%), while she leads Mike Pence (4%), Chris Christie (3%) and Tim Scott (2%). But Haley’s polling has climbed nearly three percentage points since the first Republican primary debate on Aug. 23.

When conveying her concerns about federal spending and the $32 trillion national debt, Haley directed criticism at both political parties.

“While (President) Biden has done a whole lot to us … our Republicans have done that to us, too,” Haley said. “You go back and look at that $2.2 trillion COVID stimulus bill that they passed with no accountability. They expanded welfare, which has left us with 90 million Americans on Medicaid and 42 million Americans on food stamps. And did Republicans try to make it right?”

Haley drew strong applause from the audience when she expressed support for Congressional term limits and said that elected officials over the age of 75 should be required to pass a competency exam.

“I’m not being disrespectful when I say that,” Haley said. “I don’t mind if we do mental competency tests for anyone over the age of 50. But these are people in D.C. making decisions on our national security. They’re making decisions on the future of our children’s economy. We need to know that they’re at the top of their game.”

Haley’s views on immigration also resonated with the audience, particularly when she called for cutting off federal funding to “sanctuary cities” — municipalities with laws that protect undocumented immigrants from being detained or reported to federal immigration authorities — and to require all visa-seekers to remain in their home country until their application is approved.

When discussing foreign policy, Haley said she was most concerned about China, which she equated to a national security threat, accusing the Chinese of buying thousands of acres of U.S. land, lobbying members of Congress and shipping large quantities of fentanyl, a powerful synthetic opioid, into the U.S.

If elected president, Haley said she would prohibit lobbying by foreign entities and prevent U.S. weapons technology from being sent to China.

“And when it comes to fentanyl, we will go to China and say that we will end all normal trade relations with you until you stop killing Americans, and you watch how fast they (change),” Haley said.

Haley also responded to audience members who criticized her for not voicing more support of Trump.

“You said some pretty harsh things about President Trump on that debate stage (last month),” said James Lemoyne, of Canaan. “So people are wondering if you were lying when you raised your hand to say that you would support him (as the nominee), even if he were in jail.”

Haley said that she would support whoever is the Republican nominee in 2024, though she will not refrain from criticizing policies or political views that conflict with her own.

Some of Haley’s criticism of Trump included over $8 trillion in federal spending during his administration and Trump’s lack of support for Ukraine during the Russian invasion.

“I don’t say harsh things out of being personal,” Haley said. “I’m not that type of person. I speak hard truths.”

Haley said she had a great professional relationship with Trump while serving as ambassador to the U.N. during his administration, in part because Haley expressed her honest views.

“He appreciated that I wasn’t a yes-person to him,” Haley said.

A number of attendees said that Haley’s candidness is what they found most appealing about her.

“She really impressed me, and I like a lot of what she said,” said Sullivan County Commissioner Joe Osgood, a Claremont Republican. “I haven’t really endorsed anyone yet, but she really rose up the ladder.”

Martha Waite, of Claremont, said she was previously leaning toward Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis but is now strongly considering Haley. Waite said she was most impressed by Haley’s articulation of the issues and her willingness to speak to her convictions.

Newport Selectboard member Jeffrey Kessler said Haley is “the most level-headed” of the candidates who have made campaign visits in Sullivan County, which includes DeSantis and Ramaswamy — who both visited Newport in recent weeks.

“She has a more centralist position than the others do,” Kessler said. “There is a lot that I don’t agree with and I think she tailored some of her responses to the crowd, but she has the most experience.”

Kessler said he has not chosen a Republican primary candidate to support yet but has prioritized attending the campaign visits in the area.

“It’s a unique opportunity we have in New Hampshire to be able to get out and see these candidates up close,” Kessler said.

Patrick Adrian may be reached at padrian@vnews.com or 603-727-3216.