In a significant turn of events, President-elect Donald Trump has secured victory in the swing state of Nevada in the 2024 presidential race. The state, which had previously favored Democratic candidates, delivered its six electoral votes to Trump, marking a notable shift from the 2020 election results.
The outcome was officially declared by a prominent news agency at 12:15 a.m. on Saturday, dealing a blow to Vice President Harris, who had also campaigned extensively in Nevada in the lead-up to the election.
In the 2020 election, President Biden had carried Nevada by a margin of 2.4%, maintaining the state's historical trend of supporting Democratic nominees. Since 1992, Nevada has predominantly backed Democratic presidential candidates, with the exception of the elections involving President George W. Bush. The average winning margin in these elections stands at 4.1 points.
Republicans managed to defy expectations by outperforming Democrats in early in-person voting and narrowing the gap with registered voters prior to Election Day. This shift in dynamics challenged the traditional Democratic advantage in voter turnout, which had been bolstered by the influential 'Reid Machine' established by former Democratic Sen. Harry Reid.
The 'Reid Machine' was instrumental in mobilizing support for Democratic candidates by leveraging networks beyond the conventional party structure. Notably, the Culinary Union, representing around 60,000 casino workers, played a pivotal role in voter registration drives and grassroots campaigning efforts.
Both Vice President Harris and President-elect Trump, along with their respective campaign teams, had made multiple visits to Nevada in the final weeks leading up to the election, underscoring the state's significance in the electoral map.
In her appeals to Nevada voters, Vice President Harris emphasized a commitment to seeking common ground and pragmatic solutions to address the challenges facing the state. She pledged to prioritize progress over political point-scoring and to engage with diverse perspectives in decision-making.
Additionally, Nevada witnessed a closely contested Senate race between Republican Sam Brown and Democratic incumbent Sen. Jacky Rosen, with the victory ultimately going to Rosen following the election results announced on Saturday morning.
