Biden cruises to victory in Nevada Democratic primary

President Joe Biden easily won the Democratic Nevada primary Tuesday night, defeating long-shot challenger Marianne Williamson and the 11 other candidates running, along with the “none of these candidates” option.

With 86% of the ballots counted, Biden led with 89% of the vote, followed by “none of these candidates” at 6%, and Williamson at 3%.

Biden wasn’t in Nevada for the victory but thanked voters for their support in a statement after the race was called by the Associated Press at 11:39 p.m. EST, just under two hours after the polls closed.

“Nevada Democrats represent the backbone of our nation: the union workers who built the middle class, immigrants who came here in search of opportunity, and families of all stripes who deserve dignity, personal freedom, and a fair shot at the American dream,” Biden said. “Tonight they showed us all: We still believe in an America where we treat everybody with honesty, decency, dignity, and respect. Where we leave nobody behind.”

Nevada is unique in that it is the only state that allows voters to show their antipathy against declared candidates by allowing voters to choose an option for “none of these candidates” on the ballot.

Rep. Dean Phillips (D-MN), a top-Biden Democratic rival, eschewed the Silver State’s primary after entering the 2024 campaign after Nevada’s Oct. 16 filing deadline and therefore did not appear on the ballot.

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This marks Biden’s second primary win following South Carolina’s primary on Saturday, where he decisively defeated Phillips and Williamson, winning 96% of the vote. But overall turnout for the Palmetto State’s primary was at a paltry 4%, another sign that Biden won’t win the Republican-leaning state during the general election.

The Nevada primary win puts Biden one step closer to facing off against his likely GOP challenger, former President Donald Trump.

Nevada will play a critical role as a top battleground state in the 2024 general election. Biden is banking on Hispanic and Latino voters, along with union workers, as key to winning the state.

Democrats have long relied on the constituency in past elections, but Trump’s 2016 win and the subsequent years showed Latino voters slightly leaning toward Republicans.

The president spent Sunday and Monday in Nevada shoring up support ahead of the primary. He thanked hospitality workers on Monday as they reached an agreement with Las Vegas hotel casinos, averting a strike.

President Joe Biden speaks at a campaign event in North Las Vegas, Nev., Sunday, Feb. 4, 2024. (AP Photo/Stephanie Scarbrough)

“I came to say thank you — not just thank you for the support you’ve given me the last time out and this time, but thank you for having the faith in the union,” Biden told Local 226 Culinary hospitality workers at the Vdara Hotel in Las Vegas.

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The culinary workers union is one of the most influential unions in the state. But Biden is hoping that his pro-union stance will help ensure voters in Nevada give him another four years in the White House.

Biden was the first sitting president to appear on the picket line last year when he joined the striking United Autoworkers in Michigan. Last month, UAW President Shawn Fain announced the union was endorsing Biden for reelection, a critical boost for the president among working-class voters.