Red or Blue? The states deciding the 2024 US presidential election: Nevada

The U.S. election is coming up, with voters in all 50 states deciding who to elect as the next president.

But most states are considered “safe”, either solidly Republican or Democratic, and Kamala Harris and Donald Trump have not spent time or money trying to persuade the voters there.

Instead, both candidates are gunning for the main prize — seven “swing” states that will determine the election and the presidency.

Nevada early history

The Southwestern state of Nevada was little more than a patch of dry desert in its early years, with the Spanish Trail cutting across it as traders went from Los Angeles, California to Santa Fe, New Mexico.

Nevada (as part of Utah territory) was acquired by the U.S. following the Mexican-American War, and was later separated from Utah, becoming its own territory in 1861.

Nevada was admitted to the Union as a Free State (where slavery was prohibited) in 1864, while the Civil War was still raging.

Mining was dominant, giving rise to the nickname of the Silver State.

Las Vegas was founded in 1905 and is today the biggest city in the state, well-known for its casinos, tourism and entertainment shows.

Today, the state economy is largely dependent on tourism and gaming, with some mining and cattle ranching.

Nevada politics

Since the early 20th century, Nevada has been seen as something of a bellwether state, mostly going for the candidate that ends up getting elected president.

It has only backed losing candidates twice in the post-war period, Gerald Ford in 1976 and Hillary Clinton in 2016.

However, it is closely contested at state level, having two Democratic senators (as at time of writing) and a Republican governor.

Due to the presence of so many hotels and casinos in Nevada, with many service workers, the Culinary Union is a powerful political force in the state with over 60,000 members.

Senator Harry Reid, a Democrat, built a strong political organisation by working with the union to register its members for elections.

The service workers, who were mostly young and black or Latino, were more likely to be supporters of the Democratic Party.

The media nicknamed this operation the "Reid Machine".

Reid became an influential member of the party, with a young Barack Obama seeking his support in his early career.

Despite his death in 2021, the Reid Machine remains a force in Nevada.

Nevada in 2024

Despite Nevada going for Joe Biden in 2020, polls indicate the race is very close this year.

Jon Ralston, a top Nevada pollster, made his final prediction that Harris would win - but only by 0.3 per cent.

In addition to voting for a president, Nevadans will also select a senator.

Jacky Rosen, the Democratic incumbent, attempts to fend off a challenge from Republican Sam Brown.

Brown is a combat veteran who served in Afghanistan, where a roadside explosive left him with visible scarring. He then became a small business owner, and campaigned on the cost of living and immigration.

Covid restrictions impacted the state's tourist-led economy, leading to a slower recovery, with the Republicans sensing an opportunity to pick up a Senate seat.

If Brown defeats Rosen, Harris will very likely have to face a Republican-controlled senate should she win the election, which could hamper her ability to pass legislation.

Conversely, Trump would find it much easier to get his policies through and sign them into law.

Top image via Canva, Pixabay and Kamala Harris and Donald Trump's Facebook pages.