Trump easily wins Nevada Caucus, Rubio, Cruz follow up

Max Goldberg/Iowa State Daily

After securing his place in the top three in the Republican caucuses, presidential candidate Donald Trump spoke briefly to a crowd at his watch party Feb. 2 in West Des Moines. Trump said, “I love you people, I love you people, thank you very much.”

Alex Hanson

Donald Trump scored his third victory in a row Tuesday night, easily winning Nevada’s Republican Caucus — one week before the most number of states will cast their votes on Super Tuesday.

As of midnight, Trump 45 percent of the vote with just 10 percent of precincts reporting. Even with just a few hundred votes in right as caucus sites closing, news organizations called the race for Trump.

Marco Rubio was second with 25 percent; Ted Cruz was third with 20 percent; Ben Carson fourth at 6 percent; and John Kasich was fifth at 4 percent.

Cruz and Kasich were out with press releases late Tuesday knocking Rubio for spending a significant amount of money and time in Nevada, yet not being able to win the state. 

Rubio was not in Nevada on Caucus night, instead campaigning in Michigan. Rubio’s communications director touted a “strong finish” when teasing an interview Wednesday morning.

Trump, speaking to supporters in Nevada, said his campaign was “winning, winning, winning” going into Super Tuesday, where a victory in most states gives Trump a significant number of delegates.