Donald Trump emerged victorious in the Nevada Republican caucuses after loyalists maneuvered the election process to ensure his success. The Associated Press confirmed Trump as the winner shortly after the caucuses concluded, where he was the sole major candidate participating. The little-known candidate, Ryan Binkley, a pastor and businessman from Texas, was the only other contender.
The Nevada caucuses, part of the state’s “first in the west” presidential choice contest, usually holds significance for both major parties. However, this year’s primaries were marked by a subdued affair with only 16% of registered voters participating, partly attributed to the bifurcated Republican voting system.
The unusual system involved Republicans holding both caucuses and primaries, with candidates allowed to compete in only one. All of the state’s 26 Republican delegates will be allocated based on the caucus results, while primary results remain non-binding. The caucuses, organized by the state’s GOP, followed the Republican primary where Nikki Haley, the sole candidate on the ballot, trailed behind a “none of these candidates” option.
The process, marked by chaos and confusion, required caucus participants to be physically present, show a photo ID, and take place at specific locations. Despite the odd voting system, Trump’s victory in the caucuses brings him one step closer to a potential rematch with Joe Biden in the November general election.
