Desert Decisions: Nevada Primary & Caucuses

The momentum of the GOP has carried itself into the state of Nevada after the Iowa caucuses’ conclusion, leaving both a presidential primary and the Nevada caucuses to decide who the Silver State wishes to align with for the 2024 Presidential Election.

In the Iowa caucus, the nation witnessed former President Donald Trump fly ahead to first place for the GOP nomination, displacing Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis, who has since dropped out, and placing former U.N. ambassador Nikki Haley in third.

However, both the Republican and Democratic Party have set their eyes on the first primary and caucuses in the Western United States.

Incumbent President Joe Biden’s campaign has stated he will visit the city of Las Vegas ahead of the voting decisions about to take place in the Silver State, as he and his campaign officials plan to use this as an opportunity to bolster his image in the Western swing state. In 2020, Biden barely won Nevada with 50.1% of the vote, leading President Trump (47.7%) by a narrow 2.4 %.

Nevada is known to be an unconventional swing state, and many are waiting to see if President Biden will be able to keep his narrow lead on President Trump there in 2024.

In Nevada, voters will be given  a primary election and caucuses for the presidential candidates who hope to win the White House come November. 

The presidential primary is to be held on Tuesday, Feb. 6, while the Republican caucuses will be held on Thursday, Feb. 8.

For Democrats, blue candidates running against incumbent President Biden will be on the primary ballot.

“The Democratic primary ballot includes Biden, Williamson and 11 other candidates. U.S. Rep. Dean Phillips of Minnesota is not on the ballot,” according to the Associated Press.

The GOP’s candidates will be presented in two formats. Voters will vote in a Republican primary ballot and also cast ballots in a Republican caucus.

The Republican primary ballot includes Haley, a former U.N. ambassador and South Carolina governor, Mike Pence and Tim Scott, former primary candidates, and four other GOP hopefuls. Trump, the former president, is not on the primary ballot.

The Republican caucuses will feature two candidates: Trump and Ryan Binkley, a pastor. Haley is not on the caucus ballot, according to the Associated Press.

While many are interested to see how President Trump will shape up in the eyes of Nevada GOP voters, President Biden’s reelection campaign has already outlined some points and plans they hope will barely push them to victory in 2024, although Biden’s approval rating is in a danger zone.

“But early signs show Biden could have more ground to make up than in past races. Voters are largely dissatisfied with the likely Biden-Trump rematch.

“A New York Times/Siena poll from November shows that Biden’s approval rating is 36% in Nevada,” according to the Associated Press.

Many are also eager to see how 2024 presidential candidates will shape up to Nevada’s minority voter population, who constitute a large percentage of the state’s voter base.

“Nevada, with six Electoral College votes toward the 270 needed to be elected president, is viewed as a litmus test for Latino and Hispanic support, and for independent voters,” according to Reuters.

In spite of this, it seems Biden is retracting his calls for American unity again as his campaign has already attacked President Trump, claiming democracy is in the balance.

“In recent weeks, Biden has stepped up his direct attacks on Trump, describing him as a threat to democracy and questioning his mental capacity,” according to Reuters.

President Trump’s campaign fired back, citing Biden’s low approval ratings in Nevada.

“‘Latest polls show President Trump crushing Joe Biden by wide margins because Americans are sick and tired of the last four years of destructive policies that have brought nothing but pain and misery across the country,’ Trump campaign spokesman Steven Cheung said,” according to Reuters.

As both major candidates compete for one of the nation’s six swing states, many anticipate an “up in the air” outcome for what seems to be a rematch of the 2020 Presidential Election.