Only One Major Contender on the Ballot
In the Republican primary for the 2024 election, things are far from straightforward. The former two-term South Carolina governor and former U.N. ambassador, Nikki Haley, is the sole remaining candidate listed in the state-run Republican primary contest. Meanwhile, the commanding front-runner for the GOP nomination, Donald Trump, will appear two days later in a presidential caucus organized by the Nevada GOP.
Competing Contests Originate from Legal Change
The genesis of these competing contests dates back to 2021 when Democrats, who then controlled both the state and the legislature, passed a law changing the presidential nominating contest from caucuses to a state-run primary. The Nevada GOP objected, but their legal bid to stop the primary was rejected. As a result, the state Republicans were allowed to hold their own caucuses, where all 26 delegates will be up for grabs.
Haley and Other Candidates Skip Caucus
Haley and some of the other now-departed Republican presidential candidates decided to skip the caucus, believing it was biased in favor of Trump. Candidates who put their name on the state-run primary ballot were not allowed to participate in the caucuses, leading to their decision. Nevada GOP chair Michael McDonald and the state’s Republican National Committee members are supporting Trump.
Potential Concerns for Trump’s Campaign
While Trump is assured of winning all 26 delegates at the caucus, there are concerns within his campaign. One potential scenario is Haley receiving more votes in the primary than Trump does in the caucus. Additionally, there is no option for voters to write in Trump’s name on the primary ballot; their choices are Haley or “none of these candidates”. Trump’s campaign has been working to inform supporters that they must participate in the caucuses if they want to vote for the former president.
Nevada Governor’s Controversial Choice
Republican Governor Joe Lombardo, who supports Trump, stated that he would vote for “none of the above” in the primary but would caucus for Trump in the state GOP’s contest. This decision has raised eyebrows and added to the complexity of the situation.
Haley’s Lack of Focus on Nevada
Haley’s campaign has not focused on Nevada, with no spending or campaign efforts in the state. She has not returned to Nevada since late October, further highlighting her lack of attention towards the primary.
Looking Forward to the General Election
While this week’s contests are just the beginning, Nevada is expected to become a key battleground state in the general election. With plenty of campaign traffic expected in the summer and autumn, the outcome of these primary and caucus contests may have lasting implications for the 2024 election.
