Former U.N. Ambassador Nikki Haley’s campaign said it is not putting an “ounce of energy” into this week’s dueling primary and caucuses in Nevada, claiming the contest is “rigged” for former President Donald Trump.
“In terms of Nevada, we have not spent a dime nor an ounce of energy on Nevada. We made the decision early on that we were not going to pay $55,000 to a Trump entity that you know to participate in a process that was rigged for Trump,” said Betsy Ankeny, Haley’s campaign manager, during a call with reporters on Monday. “Nevada is not and has never been our focus.”
The state is holding presidential primary elections on Tuesday for the Democratic and Republican parties, while the Nevada Republican Party is holding separate caucuses on Thursday, causing confusion for the state’s Republican voters. Candidates were only able to file for one of the contests, and Trump and Haley will be on different ballots this week.
Trump filed for candidacy on the Nevada GOP’s caucus ballot, while Haley opted to participate in the state-run primary. The state’s 26 delegates are almost certain to go to Trump, whose only competition is long-shot Texas businessman Ryan Binkley. Haley is not in contention for any delegates from the Republican Party due to her decision to participate in the primary instead, which is run by the state and not the party apparatus.
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The move has also led to a near-complete desertion of Nevada by 2024 Republican candidates, including Haley, who viewed the Nevada Republican Party as too loyal to Trump and decided to skip the caucuses.
“We’re not sure what the Trump team is up to out there, but the base seemed pretty spun up about it, but we are focused on South Carolina,” Ankeny added.
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Haley’s campaign is focused on her home state of South Carolina.
According to public polling, the former South Carolina governor has not closed the gap with the former president in her home state, which holds its Republican primary election on Feb. 24. “We are going to have the resources to go the distance,” Ankeny told reporters. “We will continue to fight as long as we have the momentum and have the resources to do so.”
