President Joe Biden is embarking on a campaign swing that will bring him to Nevada, a crucial battleground state, as the 'first-in-the-West' primaries are underway with early and absentee voting. While Biden and his team are focused on the general election in November, they see this visit as an opportunity to solidify support and build momentum.
Arriving in Las Vegas on Sunday, Biden has a series of appearances planned through Monday. This visit comes on the heels of events in California on Saturday. The president's previous visit to Nevada in December highlighted over $8 billion in federal funding for passenger rail projects across the country. During his time in Las Vegas, Biden intends to meet with voters in the majority-Black Historic Westside and engage with community leaders to discuss infrastructure investments.
Michael Tyler, a spokesperson for Biden's reelection campaign, emphasized that the president will rally supporters to vote in Tuesday's primary and help lay the groundwork for the fall election, setting the stage for a potential rematch with Republican Donald Trump. In the upcoming primary, Biden faces minimal opposition, primarily from author Marianne Williamson and a few lesser-known challengers. In the 2020 election, Biden won Nevada by a margin of fewer than 3 percentage points.
Nevada is a state known for its casino and hospitality industries but also carries a reputation for unpredictable and split-ticket results. With a diverse and transient population, including significant Latino, Filipino, Chinese American, and Black communities, the state's politics are shaped by a stark rural-urban divide. Over 88% of Nevada's active registered voters, along with much of its political influence, reside in the two most populous counties, which encompass the Las Vegas and Reno metropolitan areas.
In 2022, Democrats successfully defended their U.S. Senate seat but lost the governor's office. The balance in the state's six elected constitutional officers is evenly split between Democrats and Republicans. Notably, the narrow victory of U.S. Sen. Catherine Cortez Masto contributed to Democrats retaining control of the Senate during Biden's current term. Democrats have enjoyed success in Nevada, largely due to the well-established Democratic operation created by the late U.S. Sen. Harry Reid, known as the 'Reid Machine.' This operation has consistently trained operatives, retained organizers, and played a significant role in Democrats winning every presidential election since 2008.
However, early indications suggest that Biden may face more challenges this time around. There is widespread dissatisfaction among voters regarding the likely rematch between Biden and Trump. According to a New York Times/Siena poll from November, Biden's approval rating in Nevada stands at just 36%.
Acknowledging the concerns of Nevadans, Sen. Cortez Masto said in an interview, 'I know from my reelection, the issues that matter to Nevadans are still those kitchen table issues.' Biden has centered his reelection campaign on the notion that Trump poses a dire threat to U.S. democracy and its fundamental values. The president has also championed the defense of abortion rights and touted his economic policies, arguing that they have created millions of jobs, combated climate change, and enhanced American competitiveness overseas. However, polls indicate that many voters are not giving the administration credit for these achievements.
In an effort to energize key voter groups, the Democratic National Committee recently announced a significant ad buy in Nevada, as well as South Carolina, where Biden won the recent leadoff primary. The ads are aimed at boosting enthusiasm among Black, Asian, and Latino voters statewide, with radio, television, and digital ads in Spanish, Chinese, and Tagalog, along with a billboard in Las Vegas' Chinatown.
Meanwhile, as early voting began in Nevada, Trump made unsubstantiated claims at a campaign rally in Las Vegas, asserting that he was the victim of the Biden administration's alleged weaponizing of law enforcement against him. It is worth noting that Trump himself faces multiple indictments and 91 felonies. Vice President Kamala Harris, speaking at a get-out-the-vote rally for union leaders, warned that Trump's fight is not for the people but for himself.
Dan Lee, an associate professor of political science at the University of Nevada, Las Vegas, emphasized the significance of Nevada for Biden's campaign, stating, 'the map says he has to hold on to Nevada.' The Republican primary is also taking place on Tuesday, but the state GOP has scheduled caucuses for Thursday to allocate delegates. While Trump is competing in the caucuses, rival Nikki Haley has chosen to remain on the nonbinding primary ballot.
President Joe Biden's visit to Nevada demonstrates the importance of this battleground state as he seeks to consolidate support and gain momentum for the upcoming general election. With its unique demographics and politically diverse population, Nevada will undoubtedly play a crucial role in shaping the outcome of the 2024 election.
