Nevada hosts its first presidential primary election in the western US. Despite its recent Republican governor election, Nevada has been a Democratic stronghold since 2008 and remains a crucial swing state.
Following Joe Biden’s triumph in South Carolina’s Democratic primary, he aims to maintain his momentum in Nevada. With over 151,000 early ballots cast, anticipation builds for Tuesday’s election day. Both Democrats and Republicans are participating in presidential primaries, but the significance of the Republican competition is limited.
The state’s GOP, led by an indicted fake Trump elector, will allocate delegates through a separate caucus on Thursday, where Donald Trump is the primary contender. Nikki Haley, a candidate in the Republican primary but not the caucus, is expected to secure a symbolic victory, reluctantly held by her party to adhere to state regulations.
The dual-track nomination plan has faced widespread criticism for being a confusing and manipulative tactic designed to favor the former president.
Meanwhile, the Democratic primary serves as a crucial test for Biden as he seeks to solidify his backing among Black and Latino voters in this pivotal swing state. In recent elections, Nevada’s Latino voters, constituting roughly 20% of the electorate, have been instrumental in Democratic victories by narrow margins. Despite endorsement from the influential Culinary Workers Union, representing tens of thousands of hospitality and casino workers across Las Vegas and beyond, the President must rally enthusiasm among working-class voters of color.
At a campaign rally on Sunday, Biden cautioned about the danger Trump poses to democratic norms as both candidates appear headed for a probable rematch in November. However, there was no reference to the administration’s backing of Israel amidst the Gaza bombardment, a stance that has left many young progressives disillusioned and frustrated leading up to the primaries.
However, Biden recognized that voters may be feeling fatigued. “I understand, we understand, there’s still much more work to be done,” he stated. “Not everyone is experiencing the advantages of our investments and advancements yet. However, inflation in America is now lower than in any other major economy worldwide.” Despite elevated unemployment rates, voters are grappling with the impact of escalating expenses, with a majority of Latino voters in the state citing economic worries as a primary concern.
“At the end of the month, it’s just about working to pay the bills, then starting over from zero in the bank, over and over again,” remarked Luis Medina, a 21-year-old voting for the first time this year. Medina, employed as a floor installer in Las Vegas and active with the progressive organization Make the Road Action Nevada, admitted he’s still undecided on his presidential choice.
“I’m concerned about the economy and inflation. However, I believe some of that stems from what Trump left behind,” he expressed. Yet, he remains uncertain if Biden has significantly improved the situation.
Biden may find support in positive economic indicators from January, where average hourly earnings increased by 0.6% and unemployment stayed low.
However, primary turnout is anticipated to be minimal, particularly since the contests lack competitiveness. Local advocacy groups, both partisan and nonpartisan, intend to intensify canvassing endeavors later in spring and summer. Additionally, a pro-Biden Super PAC recently allocated a historic $250 million for advertising in seven battleground states, Nevada included, aiming to mobilize disenchanted younger, Latino, and Black voters.
Leo Murrieta, director of Make the Road Action in Nevada, expressed skepticism towards polls and analyses suggesting Republican gains among Latino voters. “The narrative of brown voters defecting to the Republican side isn’t accurate,” he asserted. “They’re not defecting; they’re just staying home. Our task is to reach out to their homes and motivate them to vote.”
