White House hopeful Hillary Clinton has narrowly won the Nevada caucuses in the race to find a Democratic presidential nominee. But her victory, by
White House hopeful Hillary Clinton has narrowly won the Nevada caucuses in the race to find a Democratic presidential nominee.
But her victory, by just a few percentage points according to US TV networks, raises questions in a state where a double digit triumph was initially expected.
With 72 percent of the precincts reporting, Clinton was leading with 52.3 percent of the vote to her rival Bernie Sanders’ 47.6 percent. Television networks Fox News and MSNBC projected Clinton would win. Vote counting was delayed in Nevada by a heavy turnout.
“This is your win,” the former Secretary of State said in a tweet, thanking supporters.
To everyone who turned out in every corner of Nevada with determination and heart: This is your win. Thank you. -H
— Hillary Clinton (@HillaryClinton) 20 Février 2016
Grateful. pic.twitter.com/EeAbi0sndt
— Hillary for Nevada (@HillaryforNV) 20 Février 2016
Self-declared Democratic Socialist Bernie Sanders put in a stronger than expected challenge, indicating a long and hard-fought contest lies ahead. He has already won New Hampshire and finished a strong second in Iowa.
Sanders was hoping to prove his appeal to minority voters in Nevada – a state with a heavy minority population – and puncture Clinton’s argument that he is a one-note candidate whose support is limited to mostly white states.
I am very proud of the campaign we ran. Five weeks ago we were 25 points behind and we ended up in a very close election.
— Bernie Sanders (@BernieSanders) 20 Février 2016