The former president faces little opposition as Nevada GOP voters head to a caucus carrying 26 delegates toward the Republican presidential nomination.
LAS VEGAS–Former President Donald Trump seems destined for victory in Nevada’s Feb. 8 caucus, analysts and insiders say, increasing his chances of steamrolling former South Carolina governor Nikki Haley in her home state later this month.
The caucus, with 26 delegates toward the GOP nomination at stake, comes two days after Ms. Haley suffered a symbolic loss to “None of These Candidates” in the state-run “meaningless” primary.
Pollster Rich Baris told his podcast audience that “None” served as a stand-in for President Trump. He opted out of the primary so he could compete in the GOP-sanctioned caucus that counts toward the Republican presidential nomination; the primary did not.
Ms. Haley apparently chose to participate in the primary in hopes of winning a symbolic victory, Mr. Baris said, but voters handed her a “humiliating” result.
Without President Trump on the ballot, GOP voters chose “None” instead of Ms. Haley by a 2-to-1 margin.
“This is delicious if you are a Donald Trump supporter,” Mr. Baris said. “This is history, once again.”
In two other early presidential-preference contests last month, Iowa and New Hampshire, President Trump racked up record-breaking wins.
Ms. Haley’s Nevada primary loss was also historic, Mr. Baris said. It marked the first time that more than half of Nevadans’ votes went to “None,” a choice on the ballot since the 1970s.
Haley Won’t Back Down
Tuesday’s result has turned up the volume on calls for Ms. Haley to exit the race. Critics argue that her continued candidacy is wasting resources that should be used to defeat Democrat President Joe Biden in the November general election.
But Ms. Haley and her campaign expressed determination and optimism.
“We’re full steam ahead in South Carolina and beyond,” Ms. Haley’s campaign said in an email to The Epoch Times.
In social media posts and post-primary interviews, Ms. Haley waved off the significance of Tuesday’s outcome, alleging the contest was “rigged” for President Trump.
By Janice Hisle
