Donald Trump rolled to a third straight win in his campaign to become the next president of the United States, swamping his Republican rivals in the Western U.S. state of Nevada. With 95% of Nevada’s caucus vote counted, the billionaire hotel developer and former reality TV host held a 22-point lead over his nearest competitor.
Trump was far ahead with 45.9% of the vote to 23.8% for Florida Senator Marco Rubio and 21.4% for Texas Senator Ted Cruz. The voter turnout at Nevada’s caucus gatherings was reported to be heavy.
After winning primary elections in the New England state of New Hampshire and southern state of South Carolina, Trump’s momentum appears to be building as he and the other four remaining candidates prepare for the March 1 “Super Tuesday” primary contests in 14 states.
At a rally the night before Nevada’s caucuses in Las Vegas, the state’s largest city and America’s gambling capital, the tough-talking Trump ridiculed a protester at the event while telling his supporters that he wanted to “punch him in the face.” The crowd roared with approval.
Meanwhile, Democrats Hillary Clinton and Bernie Sanders are focused on South Carolina where the state’s primary election will be conducted on Saturday. Clinton, the former secretary of state, is heavily favored to win again after last week’s narrow victory over the Vermont Socialist senator in Nevada’s Democratic caucuses.