Nevada to Host Exciting Dual Presidential Contests in 2024
Nevada is set to make history by hosting both a state-run primary and a party-run caucus for the 2024 Republican inter-party presidential contests. These two events will take place within a span of just three days in February.
As of the October 16 filing deadline, only two candidates have registered for the Feb. 6, 2024, GOP presidential primary: Reno resident Heath Fulkerson and Texan John Castro, who is also suing to remove former President Donald Trump from several state ballots, including Nevada’s.
On the other hand, for the Feb. 8 ‘First-in-the-West Nevada Caucus,’ which was approved by the state party’s central committee in August as an alternative to the state-run primary, President Trump, entrepreneur Vivek Ramaswamy, and radio commentator Larry Elder, Jr. have registered to participate.
The decision to hold a caucus instead of a primary was made by the central committee after the state’s Democrat-led Legislature rejected proposed election reform laws by Republican Gov. Joe Lombardo. These laws would have required a state-issued ID for voting and registration.
Nevada GOP Chair Michael McDonald, a 2020 Trump elector, expressed his concerns about the lack of voter ID, transparent tabulation, and unsolicited mail-in ballots flooding the streets. He vowed to fight for free and fair elections.
As a result, the caucus will require valid IDs, use paper ballots, and be a same-day event. On the other hand, the primary, conducted under Nevada’s election laws, will feature universal mail-in ballots, early voting, same-day registration, and only require an ID for voter registration, not for casting ballots at the polls.
Prior to the 2022 midterms, Nevada used a caucus system to allocate delegates to national conventions since 1981. However, after the 2020 presidential election, the state Legislature adopted a presidential primary system. The Nevada GOP central committee opposed this change and filed a lawsuit in May 2023 to retain the caucus.
Nevada Secretary of State Cisco Aguilar explained that under the 2021 state law, his office is required to conduct a state-run primary once a second candidate registers to run, regardless of their popularity or recognition.
On October 4, John Castro registered as a 2024 Republican presidential candidate, triggering the state-run primary.
There will also be a Democratic presidential primary on Feb. 8, with Marianne Williamson being the only notable candidate among the three who have filed with the state.
Mr. Aguilar clarified that his office is simply following state law in organizing the contest. If a state party committee wishes to conduct its own separate binding caucus with its own rules, they are free to do so in coordination with their national committees.
Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis speaks at the Republican Jewish Coalition Annual Leadership Meeting, Nov. 19, 2022, in Las Vegas, soon after former President Donald Trump became the first to declare his intention to seek the GOP nomination in the 2024 presidential race. (Photo by Scott Olson/Getty Images)
‘Rigged’ for Trump
The central committee’s August caucus vote included an important provision: any candidate participating in the Feb. 6 state-run primary would be excluded from the Feb. 8 party caucus ballot.
As of October 10, none of the leading Republican candidates have entered the state-run primary, while only the Trump, Ramaswamy, and Elder campaigns have signed up for the caucus on Feb. 8.
With the filing deadlines approaching, it remains uncertain which nomination contest other GOP candidates will choose. Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis’ campaign and supporting PACs have been openly critical of the Nevada GOP central committee and Mr. McDonald in particular.
In September, the DeSantis-backing ‘Never Back Down’ super PAC dramatically scaled back its operations in Nevada, alleging that caucus rules are rigged in favor of President Trump.
President Trump, who expressed support for the caucus in August, officially signed onto the Feb. 8 event this week, according to an Oct. 10 Nevada GOP press release.
The central committee’s announcement stated that President Trump’s decision to run in the 2024 presidential race reflects his dedication to the people of Nevada and his commitment to the ‘America First’ agenda.
“We are thrilled to welcome President Donald J. Trump to the ’First-in-the-West Nevada Caucus.’ His strong America First policies resonate with voters in the Silver State and across the nation,” said Mr. McDonald. “This is a tremendous opportunity for Nevadans to connect with a candidate who has a proven track record of delivering results.”
Voters can pre-register for the ‘First-in-the-West’ caucus on the Nevada Republican Party’s website, as per the central committee’s plan.
What impact do notable candidates like Donald Trump, Vivek Ramaswamy, Larry Elder Jr., and Marianne Williamson have on the excitement and media coverage of the Nevada contests
Oming Nevada for his keynote address. (John Locher/The Epoch Times)
It is anticipated that the dual contests in Nevada will generate excitement and media attention, as the state plays a crucial role in the presidential nominating process. Nevada is considered an early voting state, giving candidates an opportunity to gain momentum and support before heading into Super Tuesday and the rest of the primary season.
The Republican Party’s decision to hold both a primary and a caucus reflects the divide within the party regarding the best method of selecting its candidate. While some argue that a primary is a more democratic process that allows for greater participation, others believe that a caucus allows for more grassroots involvement and a longer vetting process.
The state party’s decision to include the caucus as an alternative to the primary shows that there is no consensus within the party on this issue. It will be interesting to see how the different contests play out and whether one method proves to be more successful in attracting voters and shaping the narrative of the Republican presidential race.
Additionally, the presence of notable candidates in both the primary and the caucus adds to the excitement surrounding these events. Former President Donald Trump’s participation in the caucus, as well as his legal battle to remove himself from state ballots, will undoubtedly draw attention and media coverage.
Entrepreneur Vivek Ramaswamy and radio commentator Larry Elder, Jr. are also registered participants in the caucus, bringing their own unique perspectives and platforms to the race. The inclusion of these candidates further demonstrates the diversity of opinion within the Republican Party and the wide range of voices vying for the presidential nomination.
On the Democratic side, Marianne Williamson is the only notable candidate registered for the state-run primary. While she may not have the same level of name recognition as some of the Republican candidates, her presence adds to the overall competitiveness of the Nevada contests.
Overall, the decision to host both a state-run primary and a party-run caucus in Nevada is a significant development in the 2024 presidential race. It showcases the state’s importance in the nominating process and the differing opinions within the Republican Party on candidate selection methods.
These dual contests are sure to generate enthusiasm among voters and
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