logo
Brief Publisher Logo
FACT BRIEF

Was 2004 the last time a Republican presidential candidate won Nevada?

By Austin Tannenbaum
View this fact brief on The Nevada Independent
Copy link
email
Copy featured image
email
YES

The last time a Republican presidential candidate won Nevada was in 2004, when incumbent President George W. Bush edged out Democratic challenger John Kerry with 50.5% of the vote compared Kerry’s 47.9%.

This is not to say that it is a historical rarity for a Republican to win Nevada. Bush also won the state in 2000, and Republican candidates took Nevada in the six presidential elections between 1968 and 1988, before Bill Clinton won the state in the 1992 and 1996 elections.

Between 1864 and 2020, Republicans won Nevada in 20 elections, Democrats in 19 elections, and the People’s Party in one election, according to the election-tracking website 270toWin.

A poll conducted earlier this year found that 42% of Nevada voters were “most likely to vote for” Republican Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis versus 36% for President Joe Biden, while 18% were unsure. The poll also found that former President Donald Trump led Biden 42% to 40% in a hypothetical matchup, with 18% answering unsure.

This fact brief is responsive to conversations such as this one.
Sources
Nevada Secretary of State Election Results - 1962 To Present
270toWin Nevada Presidential Election Voting History
Google Docs OHPI / NV Indy February Poll - federal
ABOUT THE CONTRIBUTOR
The Nevada Independent
The Nevada Independent is a nonpartisan, nonprofit news and opinion website founded in 2017 by veteran political journalist and commentator Jon Ralston. The site and its supporting channels are focused on ethical, unbiased and transparent journalism. In general, we aim to gather and disseminate important public information and increase civic engagement. We are supported by corporate donations, memberships, event ticket sales and sponsorships and foundation grants. We disclose all our members and donors. Donors have no influence over our content, ever. The Nevada Independent is the dba for Nevada News Bureau, Inc., a 501(c)3 nonprofit founded in 2010 by Elizabeth Thompson, who now serves as one of The Nevada Independent's managing directors and its Editor.
FACT BRIEF BY
Brief Publisher Logo
Latest fact briefs from The Nevada Independent
facebook
twitter
email
email
About fact briefs published on Gigafact
Fact briefs are short, credibly sourced summaries that offer “yes/no” answers in response to claims found online. They rely on publicly available, often primary source data and documents. Fact briefs are created by contributors to Gigafact —a nonprofit project looking to expand participation in fact-checking and protect the democratic process. See all fact briefs here.