Nevada could put Biden over the top if projections hold
Nevada #Nevada
AP
Democratic presidential candidate former Vice President Joe Biden speaks Wednesday, Nov. 4, 2020, in Wilmington, Del. (AP Photo/Carolyn Kaster)
Wednesday, Nov. 4, 2020 | 3:18 p.m.
Democratic Joe Biden has rebuilt at least a portion of the Blue Wall, retaking the states of Wisconsin and Michigan from President Donald Trump and coming within striking distance of claiming an Electoral College victory.
Based on states called for Biden by the Associated Press, the former vice president sits at 264 Electoral College votes. To win the presidency, a candidate needs 270.
Nevada, which is worth six, has emerged as the potential endpoint for a long and contentious campaign. If Biden’s lead holds in Nevada as further ballots are counted, he’ll hit the number needed to enter the White House.
Nevada has not gone for a Republican since the 2004 election, in which voters sent then-President George W. Bush to his second term in office.
It broke for Democratic nominee Hillary Clinton in 2016 by 2 percentage points.
Trump campaign representatives have been consistent in their claims that Nevada is in play for Trump coming into 2020. Trump and campaign surrogates made repeated visits to the state in the lead-up to the election.
Biden’s lead in Nevada was razor-thin this afternoon. He was up by 7,647 votes, or .64%.
Election officials have indicated they plan to release further vote totals today. It’s possible the state will be called when the next batch of results is released.
Mail ballots received on Election Day and those that will be received going forward are still waiting for a count. Mail ballots have been more Democratic-leaning nationwide.
A loss in Nevada would not spell doom for Biden’s campaign, but it would sink Trump’s if all projections hold.
If Biden loses Nevada but keeps the rest of the states in his column, he would need Pennsylvania, Georgia or North Carolina to win.
The AP’s projection of an Arizona win for Biden has received pushback from some Republicans, many of whom said it was too early.
If that state goes to Trump, a win in Nevada would be nice for Biden but wouldn’t sweep him into the White House.