On Thursday, Donald Trump is predicted to win handily the GOP caucuses in Nevada. This would be his third consecutive victory in the Republican presidential contest and further cement his hold on the Republican Party.
Former U.N. Ambassador Nikki Haley, his final significant Republican opponent, declared that the caucuses were rigged and opted to compete in Tuesday’s purely symbolic GOP primary, where she was soundly defeated by the “none of these candidates” option selected by disgruntled voters and Trump supporters.
Speaking on Thursday from his home in Florida, Trump gloated over the outcome, saying, “We certainly did well in a primary that didn’t matter.” Regarding his chances in Nevada, he added, “We anticipate a very big night.”
Republicans are increasingly rallying around Trump despite the legal challenges he faces, including 91 criminal charges across four cases. Trump is exerting influence in Congress, where Republicans opposed a border security deal he criticized, and within the Republican National Committee, where Chairwoman Ronna McDaniel may resign after his public questioning of her role.
Despite significant legal jeopardy, including a federal appeals panel allowing a trial on charges related to overturning the 2020 election results, Trump’s support within the Republican Party remains strong. In Nevada, the GOP opted for caucuses over a legislatively prescribed primary, a move supported by Trump’s team.
This decision provided the party with more control over participation, giving Trump an advantage, but it also caused confusion among voters, as candidates had to choose between the caucuses and the primary.
As the sole major candidate in the caucuses, Trump is poised to secure all 26 of Nevada’s Republican delegates, strengthening his position for the March primaries.
While Trump and Haley won’t face off in Nevada, they will compete in the Republican caucuses in the U.S. Virgin Islands, aiming to secure the territory’s four delegates.
Caucuses demand candidates to build grassroots support and allocate resources for organizing to ensure voter turnout at specific times and locations.
This system favors Trump due to his longstanding support from the party base and the efforts he and his team have invested in cultivating local party members.
Trump, who visited Nevada last month, will return Thursday evening to celebrate his anticipated victory. His campaign sees these early efforts as groundwork for November when Nevada could be a crucial swing state.
Trump’s senior campaign adviser Chris LaCivita stated, “Nevada is a battleground state in the general election and everything that we do for the caucus and organizing now will pay dividends in the weeks ahead as we begin the general election against Joe Biden.”
