JOHN YANG: Today's South Carolina primary is a crucial test former two term governor Nikki Haley and her effort to puncture former President Donald Trump's air of inevitability.

Trump has big leads over Haley and both an average of Republican primary polls nationwide and the count that really matters, the number of delegates already allocated.

Thelisha Eaddy of South Carolina Public Radio is at Haley election night headquarters in Charleston right now.

Felicia, what was the message, the competing messages from these two candidates in this campaign?

THELISHA EADDY, South Carolina Public Radio: Yeah.

John, so, over the past few days, we've seen both candidates kind of crisscross the state, spending notable time in just about every region of the state trying to get their messages out former President Trump.

We saw his consistent message that he is the person that the party needs to elect.

He is the person that can unite the country and make America great again.

A very consistent message that we've been hearing from him since his time in the office, if I'm being frank.

For former governor and U.N. ambassador Nikki Haley, what we've been hearing from her, a little consistency, but also a little switch as well.

We've seen her sharpen her attacks against the former president, but also we've seen her make, draw parallels between her party challenger and President Biden, saying that they are both creators of chaos and that she is the person that the party needs to elect to represent them.

And she is the person who can beat President Biden later this year.

So we've seen her kind of try to differentiate herself or segue to make herself appeal to all Americans, make herself appeal to all of the residents, all of the voters, that she will person to represent the party and the best person to beat President Biden in November.

JOHN YANG: This is, of course, a state where twice elected Nikki Haley governor.

Where did the big name Republicans, the sort of the elected office holders, the Republican Party officials, where did they end up lining up in this campaign?

THELISHA EADDY: That's the interesting thing.

John.

So Nikki Haley, former governor Nikki Haley, she served as governor twice.

Born here in South Carolina.

She spent some time this week in her hometown, small rural area of Bamburg.

But even though this is her home state, she does not seem to be making traction or she has not been able to make those steady or those deep or loyal connections that former President Trump has.

So the only major party member that supports her, who has vouched for her, if you will, is Congressman Ralph Norman.

We actually spoke with him.

One of our reporters spoke with him earlier this week.

But all other senior party leaders they have endorsed, supportive, been on the campaign trail, had photo ops with former President Trump.

So South Carolina is Nikki Haley's home state.

But you often hear people say that this is Trump country.

JOHN YANG: Nikki Haley says she's going to keep going no matter what happens.

Today she's talking about pushing on at least to Super Tuesday.

She's made a big ad by on Super Tuesday states.

Does she say or does her campaign see a path to the nomination for her, or is there another rationale for staying in the race?

THELISHA EADDY: I think a little bit of both.

She's staying in the race.

She's vowing to stay in the race because she can't.

And then we also hear her say that she's not going to pull out because she wants every voter, every American to have their voice heard.

Everyone should be able to vote.

I think that's a part of a messaging to differentiate herself from former President Trump as well, not just attacking him, but trying to shift herself or shift name recognition of her name, that she is the person that can best represent the party and then best represent the country, all Americans.

She recently told Fox News that you do not shun people when you're running for president.

You don't shun people who may be different from you or may have different views from you.

So again, trying to shift a little bit in the middle, if you will, to let all residents know I may not win South Carolina tonight.

Let's get to Super Tuesday.

Let's get further down the road because I am the better candidate for the party and for the country.

JOHN YANG: Thelisha Eaddy of South Carolina public radio at Haley headquarters in Charleston, South Carolina.

Thank you very much.

THELISHA EADDY: Thank you.