LAS VEGAS – Former President Donald Trump easily won the Nevada caucuses on Thursday, NBC News projectsHis fourth contest on the run to the GOP nomination.
It’s been a slippery slope for Trump, who faces no major competition in the caucuses after most of his rivals dropped out and the latter, former UN ambassador Nikki Haley, chose to run in a Nevada-sponsored primary on Tuesday. Haley, the former governor of South Carolina, suffered an embarrassing defeat. definitely lost “none of these candidates” with at least 30 points according to the number of most recent votes.
Trump rejoiced in his defeat Truth Social platform, writing: “Bad night for Nikki Haley. Losing to ‘None of These Candidates’ in Nevada by almost 30 points. Look, he will soon claim the Victory!”
Trump’s victory on Thursday, which claimed all 26 of Nevada’s GOP delegates, solidifies his lead among Republicans, even as Haley vows to stay in the race through the Feb. 24 South Carolina primary and possibly beyond. Haley was making the rounds in California, which voted on Super Tuesday, March 5, during Nevada’s two contests.
However, Trump recently held rallies in Las Vegas where he told Republicans to “don’t waste your time” on the state-run primary. “It doesn’t mean anything,” he said, encouraging them to participate in caucuses.
Trump was expected to attend a caucus viewing party here after the contest.
It was the first time in years that Nevada held primaries instead of caucuses after the Democratic-led Legislature changed the law in 2021. The state Republican Party, however, decided to break away and hold a caucus on its own in addition to the primary, but dictated that candidates could only compete in one or the other. Delegates are awarded only at caucuses.
Haley said she would not attend the caucuses because she claimed they were rigged for Trump by GOP insiders who pledged loyalty to her.
Six members of the Nevada Republican Party were charged for allegedly impersonating Trump voters in the 2020 race. Among them are party chairman Michael McDonald and vice chairman Jim DeGraffenreid. cell phones were seized and he testified before a grand jury In the federal investigation into Trump’s attempt to overturn the 2020 election.
Nevada could also play a pivotal role in the general election, as evidenced by President Joe Biden’s presence in the state in the days leading up to Tuesday’s primary. Biden easily won the state’s Democratic primary with about a 90% vote.
The next stop for the GOP primaries is Haley’s home state of South Carolina Trump is significantly behindaccording to a recent survey.