Nevada primary: Nikki Haley loses to ‘none of these candidates,’ Biden wins easily

Nevada primary: Nikki Haley loses to ‘none of these candidates,’ Biden wins easily

President Biden won easily in the Nevada Democratic presidential primary on Tuesday, while former U.N. ambassador Nikki Haley, the only major candidate on the Republican ballot, trailed “none of these candidates.” Former president Donald Trump, who did not compete, is participating instead Thursday in the Nevada GOP caucuses, where the state’s nominating delegates are at stake.

Here’s what to know

6:36 AM: Biden vows to make collapse of border bill a major campaign issue

President Biden sought to make the apparent collapse of a border security compromise a major issue in the presidential campaign on Tuesday, saying the bipartisan effort to tackle immigration is on life support because former president Donald Trump wants to weaponize the nation’s immigration quagmire for political gain.

Biden, who mentioned Trump by name less than a minute into remarks from the White House, urged Congress to pass the $118 billion Senate bill on border security and aid for Israel and Ukraine. But if the legislation dies, as many lawmakers on both sides expect, he said he would use his bully pulpit for the next nine months to tell Americans that his Republican adversaries had placed fealty to Trump over their duty to the country.

“If the bill fails, I’m going to be absolutely sure about something: The American people are going to be aware of why it failed. … Every day between now and November, the American people are going to know the only reason the border is not secure is Donald Trump and his MAGA Republican friends.”

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By: Cleve R. Wootson Jr.

6:23 AM: Analysis from Maeve Reston, National political reporter covering the 2024 presidential race and the politics of the West.

In a post on his Truth Social platform late Tuesday, former president Donald Trump wrote: “A bad night for Nikki Haley. Losing by almost 30 points in Nevada to ‘None of These Candidates.’ Watch, she’ll soon claim Victory!”

6:10 AM: Biden faced only nominal opposition in Nevada

President Biden talks to reporters at the White House on Jan. 30.

President Biden faced only nominal opposition in Nevada’s first primary in nearly three decades, and the Associated Press projected his decisive victory. The contest was another step for Biden toward winning renomination, as his team looks to quash intraparty concerns about his age and how he would fare against former president Donald Trump in November.

The incumbent was competing on Tuesday’s Democratic primary ballot with author Marianne Williamson. Rep. Dean Phillips (D-Minn.), who has challenged Biden in some states, did not participate in Nevada.

Biden led with more than 89 percent of the vote after more than 86 percent of ballots were tallied.

By: Maeve Reston

6:05 AM: Haley to hold California rally after disappointing night in Nevada

Republican presidential candidate Nikki Haley speaks during a campaign rally Sunday at New Realm Brewing Co. on Daniel Island, S.C.

Former U.N. ambassador Nikki Haley suffered a setback Tuesday night in Nevada’s state-run primary, where fewer voters backed her candidacy than those who chose “none of these candidates” on a Republican ballot that did not include Donald Trump.

The primary tallies on Tuesday night will have no impact on the Republican delegate count because the state’s 26 GOP delegates will be awarded Thursday night in a separate GOP-run contest in which the former president is the only major candidate competing.

Haley’s team is emphasizing that it did not spend any money or make any effort to organize in Nevada after concluding that the state Republican Party was shaping the rules for delegate selection in a way that would be favorable to Trump.

This week, the former South Carolina governor is in the midst of an intensive fundraising swing through California — raising money in the Bay Area at two high-dollar events Tuesday and attending a fundraising meet-and-greet in Orange County on Wednesday morning.

She plans to hold a rally with voters in Hollywood on Wednesday night as her campaign presses ahead, charting a path toward the expensive contests on Super Tuesday in early March, including California, where 169 delegates are at stake.

By: Maeve Reston

6:00 AM: McDaniel is expected to leave as RNC chair amid pressure from Trump

Republican National Committee Chair Ronna McDaniel speaks before the start of a Republican presidential primary debate in Simi Valley, Calif., on Sept. 27.

Republican National Committee Chair Ronna McDaniel is expected to leave her job this spring after former president Donald Trump increasingly soured on her leadership, according to people familiar with the matter.

The decision came as she visited Mar-a-Lago and met with Trump on Monday, but the situation remained fluid, according to the people, who spoke on the condition of anonymity to reveal private discussions.

The news of her departure was first reported by the New York Times, which said the departure was likely to occur after the South Carolina primary on Feb. 24. McDaniel, who is in her fourth term as chair of the RNC, was expected to serve until 2025 but has considered leaving for months.

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By: Josh Dawsey