None Of These Candidates’ doubles Nikki Haley’s votes in Trump-less Nevada primary
Former South Carolina Governor Nikki Haley Falls Short in Nevada Primary
In her bid to catch up with Donald Trump in the Republican primary, former South Carolina Governor Nikki Haley faced a disappointing outcome in the Nevada primary on Tuesday. Despite Trump’s absence from the ballot, Haley only managed to secure less than a third of the vote.
According to Decision Desk HQ, Haley won 31% of the vote, while a significant 63% of primary participants chose “None of These Candidates.” However, these results hold little significance as the Nevada Republican Party will award its 26 delegates in the party’s caucus on Thursday, where Trump will be present. It is worth noting that the state GOP decided to maintain its traditional caucus system, despite a new law passed by the Democrat-run Nevada legislature requiring a Republican primary.
The Haley campaign expressed their dissatisfaction with the Nevada GOP process, stating that they did not invest any resources in the state. They criticized the system as being “rigged for Trump.” Instead, Haley has focused her efforts on her home state of South Carolina, which will hold its primary on February 24.
The Nevada Republican Party imposed a $55,000 filing fee for participation in the caucus and prohibited candidates from joining if they appeared on the primary ballot. Approximately 80,000 people participated in the Republican primary, as estimated by NBC News.
“We made the decision early on that we were not going to pay $55,000 to a Trump entity… to participate in a process that was rigged for Trump,” said Haley’s campaign manager Betsy Ankney, as reported by The Hill. Ankney emphasized their focus on South Carolina and questioned the Trump team’s motives in Nevada.
Former Vice President Mike Pence and Sen. Tim Scott also initially participated in the primary before ending their presidential campaigns. Pence secured 4% of the vote, while Scott received a little over 1%.
Trump, who emerged victorious in the first two GOP contests in Iowa and New Hampshire, commented on the Nevada primary results on Truth Social.
“A bad night for Nikki Haley. Losing by almost 30 points in Nevada to ‘None of These Candidates.’ Watch, she’ll soon claim Victory!”
The Nevada Democrats implemented the primary law to encourage greater participation through early voting and mail-in ballots. However, the state GOP argued in favor of their caucus system, claiming it to be more secure and requiring candidates to organize support across the state, as reported by The Associated Press.
Chris LaCivita, a Trump campaign advisor, criticized Haley’s decision to skip the Nevada GOP’s caucus.
“If your goal is to win the Republican nomination for president, you go where the delegates are. And it baffles me that Nikki Haley chose not to participate,” said LaCivita.
Haley’s next significant challenge awaits in just over two weeks when South Carolina Republicans will cast their votes to choose their preferred candidate. According to the Real Clear Politics polling average, Trump currently holds a 27-point lead over the former ambassador to the U.N. in the state.
CLICK HERE TO GET THE DAILYWIRE+ APP
What criticisms and concerns surround the Nevada Republican Party’s handling of the primary process, and how does this affect Nikki Haley’s path to securing the nomination
Ign spokesperson, Sarah Matthews. “We believe in giving voters a fair and transparent process, and it’s clear that the Nevada GOP did not prioritize that.”
Nikki Haley, a prominent figure in the Republican Party, served as the United States Ambassador to the United Nations from 2017 to 2019. She has been positioning herself as a potential contender for the 2024 Republican presidential nomination, aiming to appeal to a broader base within the party.
The disappointing outcome in the Nevada primary is a setback for Haley’s campaign strategy. The state’s Republican Party has long been considered an important battleground, and the results here can significantly impact a candidate’s momentum and fundraising opportunities.
While Haley’s focus on her home state of South Carolina may prove fruitful, as it historically holds considerable influence in the Republican nomination process, her inability to garner significant support in Nevada raises questions about her overall appeal among Republican voters.
It is also worth noting that Nevada has a diverse electorate, with a significant Hispanic population. This demographic is increasingly crucial for Republican candidates seeking broader support. Haley’s failure to resonate with a diverse range of voters in Nevada is cause for concern for her campaign.
Furthermore, the controversy surrounding the Nevada Republican Party’s caucus system and the high filing fee raises questions about the fairness of the process. The party’s decision to maintain their traditional caucus, despite the new law requiring a primary, has invited criticism and accusations of favoritism towards Donald Trump.
As the campaign for the Republican nomination continues, the Nevada primary serves as a reminder that Nikki Haley’s path to securing the nomination is not guaranteed. She will need to adjust her campaign strategy, broaden her appeal to a diverse base of voters, and effectively address the concerns and criticisms surrounding the Nevada Republican Party’s handling of the primary process.
While falling short in the Nevada primary is undoubtedly a setback for Nikki Haley, it is not the end of her campaign. With the South Carolina primary approaching, she still has an opportunity to rally support and prove her electability and viability as a presidential candidate. The coming weeks will undoubtedly be critical for Haley, as she seeks to regain momentum and position herself as a serious contender in the race for the Republican nomination.
" Conservative News Daily does not always share or support the views and opinions expressed here; they are just those of the writer."
*As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases
Now loading...