WASHINGTON, DC – In a significant swing state that Trump is targeting to win in a caucus next month and will be competitive in the general election, the Republican governor of Nevada supported former president Donald Trump on Thursday.
On Thursday, Joe Lombardo, a former sheriff of Clark County, Nevada, spoke with The Nevada Independent about his belief that, "all practical purposes... the race is over" and that, under Trump, the economy and global affairs were more stable.
Lombardo, a former sheriff, ran for governor in 2022 with Trump's endorsement, which helped him stand out in a competitive GOP primary. Before praising the late president as "the greatest president" at a rally the week after, Lombardo attempted to separate himself from the previous leader during a general election discussion.
Trump has repeatedly accused a stolen 2020 election, which Lombardo has repeatedly denied.
As reported by The Nevada Independent, Lombardo has announced his plans to participate in the February 8th Trump caucus and to select "none of the above" as his presidential choice in the February 6th primary.
The Silver State is obligated to host a primary election in accordance with a statute enacted in 2021; nevertheless, the Nevada Republican Party is going ahead and having a caucus two days after the primary, notwithstanding the requirement. Any candidate who registers for the primary will not be allowed to participate in the caucus, and the Nevada GOP has said that delegates would only be awarded to the caucus winner.
Only former UN Ambassador Nikki Haley is running as a significant contender in the primary, while Trump and Florida Governor Ron DeSantis chose to participate in the caucuses.
Having the caucus two days following the primary will generate uncertainty, something Lombardo has previously criticized the state Republican Party for.