Clinton, Sanders need Nevada win

Democratic presidential hopefuls Hillary Clinton and U.S. Sen. Bernie Sanders are looking for a win Saturday in Nevada’s Democratic caucus to gain momentum before S.C. Democrats vote Feb. 27. Both candidates also have something to prove.

What the polls say: Clinton was 23 points ahead of Sanders in late December. But he has surged in the polls and now trails Clinton by a few points.

Who must win? Clinton and Sanders.

Clinton needs the win to avoid back-to-back losses after Sanders won in a historic rout in New Hampshire’s primary. Showing she’s strong among Hispanic and Latino voters will buttress her claim that she’s the candidate with the most appeal to the Democratic Party’s diverse base.

For Sanders, a win would challenge the notion that his appeal is limited to progressives and whites living in low-diversity states, giving him evidence of his appeal to minorities.

What’s key: Hispanic and Latino voters, who make up 24 percent of Nevada’s voting-age population, according to the U.S. Census.

What does it mean for S.C.? The winner of Nevada’s caucus can claim they appeal to a demographic of voters growing more important to the Democratic and Republican parties aiming to expand their tents. Expect the winner to claim momentum as the contest turns to South Carolina, where another group of minorities – African-American voters – will play a critical role in who wins as they cast more than half the ballots cast in the Feb. 27 primary.

Jamie Self

This story was originally published February 19, 2016 at 5:13 PM with the headline "Clinton, Sanders need Nevada win."