Trump wins Nevada in first GOP presidential grab of the swing state since 2004

LAS VEGAS — Former President Donald Trump has won Nevada in the 2024 election — something no Republican has done in 20 years.Trump leads his Democratic rival Vice President Kamala Harris 660,980 votes (51.5%) to 601,118 (46.8%) in the battleground state, with 84% of votes counted.Flipping the Silver State — which gets six electoral votes — from blue to red was no small task.But the Democratic Party machine turned out to be no match for Trump’s “No Tax on Tips” proposal, which he unveiled at a rally here in June.

It was the first of several promised tax deals that energized Nevada voters — with Harris even signing onto it.In the end, the political mantra of “It’s the economy, stupid” — coined by Bill Clinton aide James Carville in 1992 — likely played a crucial role in the results.Pandemic-era shutdowns of Vegas casinos and resorts left tens of thousands unemployed and a bad taste in voters’ mouths. Even as the hot spots reopened, workers and their families faced massive inflation due largely to Biden-Harris administration spending, observers said.

In August, the Congressional Joint Economic Committee said that an average family in Nevada would have to fork over just under $1,200 each month to cover inflation’s cost since 2021.With a population of 3.2 million — slightly more than one-third of New York City’s total — the state drew what some would consider outsized attention this year, with nominees and their surrogates becoming familiar sights.Starting with that sweltering June 9 outdoor Trump rally, both candidates often included Sin City on their itineraries.Harris stumped in the Silver State 10 times over the year, including several appearances before President Biden dropped out of the race.Trump and his running mate, Ohio Sen.

J.D.Vance, also prioritized campaigning in Nevada.

Vance spoke at a massive July 30 rally at a Henderson high school gymnasium and then returned in mid-October for a rally with supporters.The ex-pre...