In Nevada’s Democratic presidential primary, President Joe Biden secured a decisive victory, moving him closer to formally clinching his party’s nomination for the upcoming battle against likely GOP nominee Donald Trump, according to NBC News projections.
The primary saw limited competition, with Rep. Dean Phillips entering the race too late to be on the ballot, leaving self-help author Marianne Williamson as Biden’s primary challenger.
Biden is anticipated to dominate most of the votes in Nevada, mirroring his strong performances in earlier New Hampshire and South Carolina contests, where Williamson trailed significantly.
Joe Biden (Credits: CNBC)
In a statement expressing gratitude to Nevada voters, Biden reflected on his victory four years ago and emphasized the importance of organizing, mobilizing, and voting to safeguard American democracy.
This year marked a shift for Nevada Democrats, transitioning from caucuses to a primary format to comply with new Democratic National Committee rules for the 2024 presidential nominating calendar.
The upcoming challenge for Democrats is the Michigan primary on Feb. 27, a crucial swing state in the general election. Despite polls indicating potential vulnerabilities for Biden against Trump, especially compared to 2020, his path to renomination has faced minimal opposition.
Elected Democrats nationwide have overwhelmingly supported Biden, leaving little room for competitors like Phillips or Williamson to gain political traction or momentum.
While drama has been scarce regarding results in the Democratic primaries, notable procedural disputes have occurred. The DNC attempted to downgrade New Hampshire from its traditional first-in-the-nation position, but the state persisted in scheduling its primary first.
Biden, choosing not to appear on the ballot in New Hampshire due to party rule violations, still won the unofficial Jan. 23 contest as a write-in candidate, securing 64% of the vote against Phillips’ 20% and Williamson’s 4%.
The focus now shifts to Michigan, where Biden’s campaign aims to consolidate support ahead of Super Tuesday, particularly among groups like Muslim voters.
