CNN
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Former South Carolina Gov. Nikki Haley will lose Nevada's non-Republican primary to “none of these candidates,” an embarrassing loss in a race that did not include former President Donald Trump on the ballot.
The result could reflect the preference of many GOP voters for Trump in a state that gives them the option to express their displeasure with all candidates on the ballot.
“Even Donald Trump knows the house wins when you play penny slots. We don't mind playing a rigged game for Trump. We're full speed ahead in South Carolina and beyond,” Haley campaign spokeswoman Olivia Perez-Cubaz said in a statement to CNN. Haley is the second-highest in the primary. He is expected to get votes.
The GOP primary carried little weight as state Republicans look to award their delegates through party-run caucuses that Trump is expected to win on Thursday. The party barred primary contenders, including Haley, from qualifying for the caucuses, meaning Trump would face little competition.
Still, the decision is an embarrassing one for Haley, who is seeking to prove herself a viable contender to Republican donors and voters ahead of her next face-off with Trump in the February 24 South Carolina primary.
Meanwhile, on behalf of the Democratic Party in Nevada, President Joe Biden As he marches toward his party's 2024 nomination, he will win the state's presidential primary, adding delegates from the first-west contest.
For Biden, Tuesday's Silver State primary comes just three days after him He scored his first official victory In the 2024 nominated tournament South Carolina Primary.
Now is Nevada's first-ever West matchup Second in the democratic calendar After the party swept Iowa and New Hampshire — the Democratic presidential nomination was shifted early in the battle to ensure it weighed more diverse voters.
“Nevada Democrats represent the backbone of our nation: the union workers who built the middle class, the immigrants who came here in search of opportunity and the families who deserve dignity, personal freedom and a fair shot at the American Dream,” Biden said in a statement Tuesday night. “Tonight they showed all of us: We still believe in America, where we treat everyone with honesty, dignity, decency and respect. Where we leave no one behind. I'm so grateful for their support.
On the Democratic primary ballot, Biden faced only nominal opposition from a dozen candidates, including author Marion Williamson. Minnesota Rep. Dean PhillipsAnother popular Democratic contender for president, not on the ballot, entered the race After the state's Oct. 16 filing deadline.
Biden spent Sunday in Las Vegas, where he told a rally that he would “make Donald Trump fail again.”
He touted his administration's economic efforts, saying he knew “a lot more needs to be done” in a preview of how he might address the still-wobbly economy during the general election.
“Not everyone has yet felt the benefits of our investments and progress, but the United States now has lower inflation than any other major economy in the world,” Biden said.
Biden, who attended a fundraiser during his recent swing through Las Vegas, is set to join former presidents Bill Clinton and Barack Obama at a fundraiser in New York City on March 28, according to a Biden campaign fundraising email sent out Tuesday.
Meanwhile, Nevada Republicans are ignoring the outcome of Tuesday's primary — which is taking place without Trump on the ballot. Instead, the state GOP chose to award its delegates to the winner at party-run caucuses Thursday evening.
The broken process is the result of a 2021 state law that eliminated Nevada's presidential caucuses in favor of state-run primaries. Advocates said the measure would make driving less difficult and confusing for voters.
However, the Nevada Republican Party — led by Trump loyalists — decided to hold caucuses this year anyway and award state delegates to the Republican National Convention based on those results. It also warned that candidates who participated in the primary would not qualify for caucuses or receive any delegates.
And yet, including some Republican presidential candidates Haley, filed to run in the primary. Trump is now the last remaining major contender in Thursday's caucuses, effectively ensuring his victory.
“In your state, you have both a primary and a caucus. Don't worry about the primary, do the caucus thing,” Trump told attendees at a recent Las Vegas rally.
This story has been updated with additional information.
CNN's Donald Judd, Priscilla Alvarez, Ethan Cohen, Kevin Lipdock, Samantha Waldenberg and Ebony Davis contributed to this report.
