GRAND RAPIDS, MI - U.S. Sen. Ted Cruz, R-TX, told a crowd of 1,200 that attended a late night rally Monday, March 7, that the presidential election will come down to three issues - jobs, freedom and security.

The Michigan primary is Tuesday, March 8. Cruz is among four vying for the Republican presidential nomination. He slammed frontrunner Donald Trump often during his 25-minute speech.

"To those 65 to 75 percent of Republicans who recognize that Donald Trump would be a disaster as the nominee, I want to encourage you to join so many others who have come together and united behind this campaign,'' he said.

"If we continue to unite, we are going to win this primary and if we continue to come together, we are going to win the general election and we're going to defeat Hillary Clinton."

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According to a new Monmouth University poll, businessman Trump leads Cruz among likely Republican primary voters in Michigan by 17 percentage points - 39 percent to 22 percent.

"It is easy to talk about making America great again, you can even print that on a baseball call, but the critical question is do you understand the principles and values that made a America great in the first place," said Cruz, drawing thunderous applause.

Cruz said there is no path to the nomination for Florida Senator Marco Rubio or Ohio Governor John Kasich. Touting his seven state primary wins, he said his is the only campaign capable of defeating Trump.

He was slated to address the enthusiastic audience at Noto's Old World Italian Dining Restaurant at 8:30 p.m. but was stuck on a runway in Mississippi and didn't take the stage to shortly after 11 p.m.

"The heart of the economy isn't Washington, DC, and it isn't New York City, the heart of our economy is small businesses all over this country," said Cruz, who said the economy has been crushed because small businesses have been hammered over the last seven years.

"If you want to unleash jobs, take the boot of the federal government off the back of the necks of small businesses.''

If elected president, Cruz said he will "repeal every word" of Obamacare (Affordable Care Act). The crowd erupted in applause and cheers at that declaration.

"We will pass common sense health care reform that makes health insurance personal and portable and affordable and keeps government from getting in between us and our doctors," said Cruz.

He also said his administration would pass a simple flat tax and after that, abolish the Internal Revenue Service (IRS). He said they would rein in the regulators, the Environmental Protection Agency, and the alphabet soup of regulators killing small businesses and jobs all over the country.

Cruz also spoke about immigration and how he lead the fight against amnesty in 2013. He was critical of Trump for funding advocates of amnesty.

"You don't get to fund the advocates for amnesty, you don't get to fund open border Democrats for 40 years, and suddenly wake up when you're a candidate for president and discover you want to secure the borders," said Cruz, who said at it's heart, immigration is an economic matter, as well as a national security and law enforcement issue.

Cruz told the crowd that the nation was waking up. He said that it was evident by the turnout in the Republican primaries skyrocketing, while Democratic turnout is plummeting.

Jim Bowman, of Beaverton, said he is supporting Cruz because of his Christianity, drive for the U.S. Constitution and honesty.

"I believe this election is going to be the decider for this country," he said.

Justin and Jenna McKenzie, of Grand Rapids, said they planned to vote for Cruz because of his conservative values. They said you know what you're getting with him and there was more uncertainty with the other candidates.

Congressman Justin Amash, R-Cascade Township, spoke prior to Cruz taking the stage, along with local state representatives, including Rep. Thomas Hooker, R-Byron Center.

"Ted Cruz is the one remaining candidate that will defend our constitution, uphold liberty, and bring respect to the office," said Amash, about why he was endorsing his candidacy.

Monica Scott is an education writer. Email her at mscott2@mlive.com and follow her on Twitter @MScottGR or Facebook