Nikki Haley suffered a humiliating loss in the Nevada Republican primary after being beaten by votes for ‘None of These Candidates.’
The South Carolina governor was the huge favorite due to the absence of Donald Trump, who has opted to take part in the Nevada caucus on Thursday.
‘None of These Candidates’ was declared victorious at 12.01am EST by Associated Press with 60.3 percent of the votes (27,371) – compared to Haley’s 33.4 percent share (15,143).
While only 50 percent of the votes have been counted, AP has indicated ‘None of These Candidates’ has an unassailable lead.
Haley’s entry onto the state-sanctioned primary ballot effectively meant she gave up hope of winning any delegates. These will likely be claimed by Trump, who is expected to waltz to victory in the caucus on Thursday against zero competition.
READ MORE: Biden comfortably wins Nevada Democratic primary as Haley battles humiliation
A strong win for Haley may have helped to carry momentum into later primaries, but pro-Trump protest votes spoiled the party and have left serious question marks over her campaign.
Sebastian Gorka, a former Trump White House staffer, predicted the result earlier in the night, telling Daily Express US “she will be crushed” by the protest vote because “MAGA (Make American Great Again) understand who she is now.”
In the Democratic Primary, Joe Biden cruised to a fast victory as expected, with the race called at 11.39pm EST. At the time of writing, Biden has 89.8 percent of votes (79,402).
His closest competitor is author Marianne Williamson who has 2.5 percent of the vote (2,231). So far, 64 percent of votes have been counted.
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Multiple Nevada counties reported a low voter turnout for the primaries, with locals described as “angry and frustrated” by the process.
In Humboldt County — home to 17,000 people — Tuesday was “very slow overall,” County Clerk Tami Rae Spero told Daily Express US.
In Elko County — home to 54,000 people — Tuesday was “definitely a lower turnout compared to other primaries,” County Clerk Becky Plunkett said.
In both places, voters seem confused about how the process works and over who’s on the ballot.
Spero says there has been “much confusion” on the distinciton between a primary and a caucus.
In Humboldt County, Plunkett says some voters are “angry and frustrated” by the new system.
“There has been a lot of concern regarding the difference between the caucus and the Presidential Preference Primary,” Plunkett says.
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