LAS VEGAS (CN) – Bernie Sanders was cruising toward an apparent decisive win in the Nevada caucus Saturday evening, claiming 46% of the vote with 60% of precincts reporting statewide in the nation’s third presidential nominating contest – the first in a state with a diverse, urban population.
The Vermont senator claimed victory early in the day with more than 90% of precincts yet to report results. In front of a screaming crowd of supporters in San Antonio, Sanders vowed that as president he would stick up for working families.
He urged the nation to get involved in the political process, stand for justice and compassion and unify.
“Brothers and sisters, if we stand together we will not only defeat Trump, we will transform this country and create a government and an economy that works for all of us, not just wealthy campaign contributors,” Sanders said.
He vowed as president to adopt the Green New Deal, shift the economy away from the fossil fuels industry, end the War on Drugs, legalize marijuana, and enact sweeping reform immigration policy via executive order.
Former Vice President Joe Biden followed Sanders in early returns with 19.2%. After Biden came former South Bend, Indiana Mayor Pete Butigieg (15.4%); Massachusetts Senator Elizabeth Warren (10.3%); Minnesota Senator Amy Klobuchar (4.5%) and hedge fund billionaire Tom Steyer (3.8%).
Biden, speaking in Las Vegas, credited strong union support for his finish and claimed momentum going into South Carolina, where he has polled well among African-American voters, and Super Tuesday on March 3 when 14 states will hold primaries.
“I think we’re in a position now to move on in a way we haven’t been able to until now,” Biden said. “We’re going to win in South Carolina, and then Super Tuesday, and we are on our way.”
Biden vowed to protect and expand the Affordable Care Act and to protect the 100 million Americans with pre-existing conditions. That protection and others in the Affordable Care Act will not be taken away in his administration – a fear among members of Nevada’s powerful Culinary Workers Union, who have an enviable health care plan that covers dental and vision care.
“I promise you it will not be. It will be expanded on,” Biden said.
Buttigieg issued a statement congratulating Sanders but warning voters that the senator’s ideological rigidity excludes many Americans.
“We can prioritize either ideological purity or inclusive victory,” Buttigieg said in a statement. “We can either call people names online, or we can call them into our movement. We can either tighten a narrow and hardcore base or open the tent to a new, broad, big-hearted American coalition.”