Donald Trump must cement his status as ultra-favorite for the Republican presidential nomination on Thursday, with an almost certain victory during the caucuses organized in Nevada.
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The billionaire has almost no competition during these local assemblies, held in schools or gymnasiums – an electoral peculiarity of the American system.
“We are going to have a very big evening,” the ex-president rejoiced to the press before heading to Nevada.
This western American state held a primary on Tuesday, which Nikki Haley, Mr. Trump’s only real rival, was unable to win.
Voters put a majority of ballots marked “none of these candidates” in the ballot boxes, considered a default vote for Donald Trump, who was not participating in this election.
This primary had no stakes, because the Republican Party had decided for months to maintain its caucuses, the only ballot which allows it to pocket the delegates from Nevada who will vote at the June convention to choose the Republican candidate for the White House.
Ms. Haley is significantly behind Mr. Trump in the nomination race and appears set for another defeat in her home state of South Carolina at the end of the month.
The former governor, however, assures that she will not throw in the towel.
“I’m in it for the long term,” she repeated to her supporters on Wednesday, during a rally in California, according to the New York Times.
“It’s going to be complicated, it’s going to hurt, it’s going to leave its mark, but in the end, I don’t mind taking the hits, if you’ll follow me,” she insisted.
Mr. Trump, who had shown his irritation at this persistence recently, assured Thursday that Ms. Haley’s candidacy did not bother him.
“I don’t know why she continues, but let’s let her continue,” he said. “I don’t really care.”
“I think it’s bad for the party. I think it’s bad for her,” he added.
The Nevada caucuses are scheduled to begin around 5:00 p.m. local time (01:00 GMT Friday). The results should emerge approximately two and a half hours later.
