Republican presidential candidate Nikki Haley faced a significant setback in Nevada’s primary as she trailed behind ballots marked “none of these candidates,” preferred by Donald Trump supporters, according to Edison Research. Haley, the lone major Republican candidate challenging frontrunner Trump, competed in Nevada’s primary, where Trump wasn’t listed on the ballot.
On the Democratic side, U.S. President Joe Biden secured an easy win in Nevada’s Democratic primary, with over 90% support. Biden’s strong showing comes after his dominant performance in South Carolina’s nominating contest.
Meanwhile, former President Trump is set to secure all of Nevada’s delegates in a separate caucus vote. Trump, with consecutive wins in Iowa and New Hampshire, is on track to clinch the Republican nomination. Although not participating in Tuesday’s primary, Trump’s victory in the Thursday caucus is almost assured, given the lack of competition.
The Republican primary allowed voters to choose “none of these candidates,” and Haley faced criticism from Trump for remaining in the race. Despite Haley’s determination to continue, her support in the primary lagged significantly behind the option of “none of these candidates.”
The Republican caucus, scheduled for Thursday, is expected to be dominated by Trump, supported by the state party. With Trump as the only candidate, he is virtually guaranteed victory and all of Nevada’s 26 delegates.
The conflicting ballots stem from a dispute between the state Republican Party, aligned with Trump, and a state law mandating a primary. While the party opted for a caucus, as per Trump’s recommendation, the state still conducted the primary as mandated by law.
Haley, facing an uphill battle, vows to persevere, eyeing a potential last stand in her home state of South Carolina. However, her chances of securing the nomination appear slim, with Trump maintaining a significant lead in opinion polls.
In contrast, Biden wasted no time after his victory, directing his focus toward Trump, accusing him of attempting to divide the nation.
Despite Nevada’s primary having minimal impact on the nomination process, the state remains a crucial battleground in the upcoming presidential election, with a significant number of swing voters and a diverse demographic landscape.
