Bernie Sanders claims victory in Nevada’s Democratic caucus amid ‘toxic politics’ claim
Far left candidate Bernie Sanders has cemented his frontrunner status in the race for the Democratic presidential nomination. But his opponent has issued a stark warning.
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Far left candidate Bernie Sanders has cemented his frontrunner status in the third primary vote for who will face off against US President Donald Trump.
The 78-year-old Vermont senator, a self-described socialist who is the oldest candidate in the field, was propelled by a massive youth turnout to win the Nevada caucuses, taking close to two thirds of voters aged under 30 in early counting.
He won by rallying his fiercely loyal base and tapping into support from Nevada’s large Latino community.
“We are bringing our people together,” he said.
“In Nevada we have just brought together a multigenerational, multiracial coalition which is not only going to win in Nevada, it’s going to sweep this country.”
While counting is continuing, Fox News called it for Mr Sanders after just four per cent of the results were tallied.
Coming after a draw and win in the first contests in Iowa and New Hampshire, Mr Sanders’ victory sets the stage for a showdown over his signature promises of universal healthcare, free college and banning fossil fuels.
The result was a blow for former vice-president Joe Biden, who is now banking on the support of black voters in the weekend’s South Carolina primary poll to resuscitate his campaign ahead of next week’s crucial Super Tuesday contest, where a third of the potential delegates will be counted.
A former favorite, Mr Biden came second in Nevada but with about half the votes of Mr Sanders, in early counting.
This followed him coming fourth and fifth in the first primaries.
“I don’t know the final results, but… we’re alive and we’re coming back, and we’re going to win,” Mr Biden said to supporters in Las Vegas.
“We have such an incredible opportunity to take this country places it’s never been.
“Look, I’m a Democrat for simple reasons. I ain’t a socialist, I ain’t a plutocrat, I’m a Democrat. And I’m proud of it.”
Washington outsider Pete Buttigieg, a Navy veteran and former mayor of South Bend, Indiana, was battling progressive candidate Elizabeth Warren for third in early counting after first drawing and then coming a close second to Mr Sanders in the past two contests.
Nevada is the most diverse state to so far have voted in the primary season, with both Iowa and New Hampshire boasting more than 90 per cent white populations.
The poll came under the shadow of election interference amid reports Russia was trying to influence the 2020 race in Mr Sanders’ favour.
Mr Buttigieg tried to capitalise on the new Russian allegations, which were reported by The Washington Post, in a fundraising email to supporters, describing them as “deeply troubling”.
“We can’t afford four more years of the same kind of toxic politics, whether it’s coming from Donald Trump or Bernie Sanders,” Mr Buttigieg said.
Turnout exceeded expectations for Nevada, with more than 70,000 people voting early.
The Democrat 2020 field started as the largest in history and remaining candidates include progressive Senator Elizabeth Warren from Massachusetts, moderates Amy Klobuchar, a senator from Minnesota, investor Tom Steyer and Tulsi Gabbard, an army veteran from Hawaii who polled lowest in Nevada.
The billionaire former New York mayor Mike Bloomberg was not on the ballot, having sat-out early polls to start his race on March 3 with Super Tuesday.
Mr Trump used the victory to remind Mr Sanders of his last-minute loss of the candidacy to Hillary Clinton in 2016.
“Looks like Crazy Bernie is doing well in the Great State of Nevada,” he said on Twitter.
“Biden & the rest look weak, & no way Mini Mike can restart his campaign after the worst debate performance in the history of Presidential Debates. Congratulations Bernie, & don’t let them take it away from you!”
The Republican party elected to not hold Nevada caucuses, awarding all 25 possible delegates to Mr Trump.
Originally published as Bernie Sanders claims victory in Nevada’s Democratic caucus amid ‘toxic politics’ claim