Granite Staters are notoriously choosy about which primary candidate will win their support. Even though she won’t be able to vote, 10-year-old Hannah Kesselring is no different.

Impressed by former UN Ambassador and former South Carolina Gov. Nikki Haley’s performance in the third primary debate in November, Hannah pleaded with her parents to bring her to a Haley event. A clip of witty comments Hannah made about the Haley hat she was wearing at the event went viral, and it sparked a rapid-fire primary tour for her and her parents, Steve and Kim, seeing all of the major candidates in both parties campaigning in New Hampshire. They live in Hooksett, but have traveled to restaurants and town halls across the state to hear politicians make their case.

Often invited to ask questions, Hannah isn’t afraid to be blunt — when she pressed Chris Christie in December about who he would support if he were not in the race, he joked that giving her the microphone had been “an enormous mistake.”

“This is her wheelhouse,” Kim Kesselring said. “It’s what she wants to do and she’s got the personality for it.”

Hannah is by no means alone in wanting to meet and grill every candidate before choosing a favorite, but in a political climate often marred by polarization and disillusionment, she found something many voters haven’t: inspiration.

Having seen each one, Hannah came out as a full-throated Haley supporter. If you ask her why, she’ll highlight Haley’s resume and grit and emphasize that she is “strong, compassionate and a good leader.” Those are qualities Hannah looks up to “not just in a woman, but in a woman who’s running for president,” she said.

Haley highlights being a parent and a military spouse among her qualifications for office and has made quips about high heels on the debate stage. But her gender, and the potentially historic nature of her candidacy, are not defining features of her pitch to voters. She has distanced herself from the politics of representation more often championed by Democrats.

But representation does play a part in the inspiration behind Hannah’s endorsement and the personal connection she feels to Haley as a candidate.

An important thing to know about Hannah is that one day she will, she asserts, be elected president. And as a self-described conservative, Hannah sees Haley as the blueprint.

“Most of the girls ever running are Democrats — I’ve never really seen a woman run as a Republican,” Hannah said. “So there’s Hillary Clinton — and then there’s Nikki Haley.”

Hannah, who has her own social media presence, also backed Haley because of a realness and warmth she didn’t see others attempting.

Hannah was seated next to Haley in the front row of one of the near-dozen campaign events she’s attended. Before going on stage, Haley pointed to Hannah’s shoes, remarking that they were wearing nearly identical brown boots. Footwear, notably, has been a key foil for Haley when she does talk about femininity in the campaign.

“Comparing shoes, that’s a woman’s thing. That’s a girl’s thing,” Hannah said.

Hannah’s inspiration has been contagious: her drive to be out on the trail as well as her fondness for Haley has shaped both her parents’ opinions.

Going into the primary, Hannah’s mother was swayed towards Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis and her father backed Trump. While they have their own reasons, Haley piqued their interest — for Steve it was the clarity of an answer Haley gave correcting her record on abortion and for Kim it was going to a DeSantis event and “just not feeling it” — both said that Hannah’s enthusiasm helped win them over.

“People on social media will say, don’t take advice from a 10-year-old, from your child. And I’m like, why not?” Kim said. “Her voice matters.”

In addition to her passion for Haley, Hannah’s quick wit has eyes — and cameras — turning to her. She’s on a first-name basis with campaign embeds for national media outlets, has been profiled on primetime news and has reporters following up with her to get her take on Christie suspending his campaign, for example.

That part of it, she said, is “awesome.” But it’s not the point.

“We never started this so she could be famous. The whole idea to start was just so she could meet Nikki Haley,” her father said. But since it has been a months-long civics lesson. Hannah, who is homeschooled, will have to write a report on the experience.

What has she learned? She can live history and not just read about it, she said. And that, even though she is not old enough to vote, her voice carries weight.

“People actually get more inspired by a child,” Hannah said. “Because they really believe it.”