Nevada is the first test of presidential candidates in a majority-minority state.

[bluewater]

The Nevada caucuses are the first test of presidential candidates in a majority-minority state.

Nevada is one of a handful of states that are majority minority (whites make up less than 49% of the population, according to the U.S. Census Bureau). Nearly a third of Nevadans are Hispanic; a tenth are African-American (an expanding population there) and the state's Asian-American population is the fastest-growing in South Nevada.

The diversity is one of the reasons Nevada was added as an early nominating state in 2008 by national Democrats, who were under criticism for allowing heavily white Iowa and New Hampshire have such a strong role in picking the Democratic nominee. A number of states competed to be moved up in line, and Nevada – being in the West and with a powerful advocate in then-Senate Democratic leader Harry Reid of Nevada – got one of the two slots.

Unions are important here: the Culinary Union, which represents casino workers, housekeepers and performers on the Las Vegas Strip, is a big reason why 14% of the state's workers are unionized. The CU endorsement is highly coveted, though the union does not always endorse a candidate. In discouraging news for Sens. Bernie Sanders of Vermont and Elizabeth Warren of Massachusetts, the union in February put out fliers slamming Medicare for All, arguing that it would undermine the generous health care plan the CU negotiated for its members.

Nevada has wide expanses of rural areas, but is also the third most urbanized state in the nation. A growing senior population means politicians are under added pressure to consider such matters as retirement security and affordable housing, especially for those on a fixed income.

Nevada, for those reasons, is the first presidential nominating state that tests Democratic presidential hopefuls on demographics and issues that matter a good deal to the party. The Democratic nominee typically relies on minority voters in the general election, so doing well in a majority-minority state matters. Worker rights, especially the right to unionize, is a central theme of the Democratic argument, so doing well in a union state matters. Reaching voters in cities and rural areas alike is important in a general election – so Nevada matters.

https://www.usnews.com/news/elections/articles/2020-02-12/nevada-caucuses-101-who-votes-past-results-and-why-they-matter

Yes, Nevada will be the first test to see how all the candidates perform in a stated with a diverse electorate.

This should be a very informative contest.

[Wellstone ruled]

1. Out side of Clark County,

pretty much Lilly White. And mostly Right Wind . Reno is slowly turning blue as a result of the Cali Invasion. But for the most part,still a bastion of Rethugs.

[rollin74]

3. I live in Washoe County (Reno/Sparks area)

large Latino population here (22% as of 2010 census) probably higher now

Washoe has gone blue in the last 3 presidential elections. We’re definitely trending blue these days.

California influx continues at a strong pace

Reno is a liberal leaning city now and becoming more liberal as the population grows

[Wellstone ruled]

4. You all in in transition.

Familiar with the last three cycles. Saturday's Early Primary Voting will be a clue as to how much of a change Washoe is and has made.

Like the demographics change numbers. Have hard core Rethug family in Reno,and we here the subtle messages they spew,so the new Migrants are replacing the Temple Crowd. Progress.

[Mike 03]

2. Kick and Rec