Nevada GOP sets presidential caucus for Feb. 8

The Nevada Republican Party announced Monday it will hold its presidential caucus on Feb. 8, setting the Silver State up to likely host the nation’s third nominating contest in the GOP White House race.

“This event marks a crucial step in shaping the Republican nomination process for President and amplifies Nevada’s significance in the national political landscape. The First in the West Caucus underscores Nevada’s prominence as a key player in the Presidential nomination process,” the party said in a release. 

In announcing the date, state GOP leaders are effectively ignoring a schedule announced by Nevada’s secretary of state to hold a “presidential preference” primary on Feb. 6.

The state is supposed to be switching over to a primary system in 2024 under a new law geared at making Nevada the first-in-the-nation presidential primary, but the Nevada GOP has signaled it plans to move forward with its caucus plans.

The Nevada GOP says it will use the results of its party-run caucus to determine how the state’s delegates are apportioned at the Republican National Convention, but the dueling dates could sow confusion around the nominating process in the state.

“I do believe it’s going to create confusion among the voters,” longtime Humboldt County Clerk Tami Rae Spero told The Associated Press.

The early February caucus would likely put Nevada third in the GOP nominating calendar. The Iowa GOP is set to hold its first-in-the-nation caucus on Jan. 15, while New Hampshire is expected to schedule its primary for late January.

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South Carolina is scheduled to host its GOP primary on Feb. 24.

With a filing window for presidential hopefuls open from Sept. 1 to Oct. 15, the Nevada GOP said it looks forward to the party’s “full slate of candidates” participating in the caucus nominating process.

“Nevada plays an instrumental role in determining the next President of the United States, and we are excited for each Republican nominee to engage with Republican grassroots voters,” the party said Monday.