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Reid Predicts Close Race, Decent Turnout For NV Caucus

Julia Ritchey

Nevada Senator Harry Reid is promoting the state’s caucus this Saturday with a pitstop at the Washoe Democratic Party offices in Reno on Wednesday.  

Reid is predicting a close race between Democratic candidates Bernie Sanders and Hillary Clinton, neither of whom he will endorse until after the caucus. 

"I think it's better that I'm not seen as Bigfooting the caucuses, that people should feel that I'm a fair arbiter of what's going on."

Speaking to volunteers at the Washoe Democratic Party headquarters, Reid says he hopes the state can exceed the 118,000 Democratic voters who showed up last time.   

"We're going to have a big turnout on Saturday; it's a competitive race. What we did eight years ago was terrific; I hope we can meet that; that would be nice if we could."

Nevada gained its early-voting status in 2008 after a major push by Reid. He says he doesn't think his upcoming retirement will jeopardize the state’s first in the West position.

"There are issues with public lands that would never be talked about unless Nevada were part of the deal. And that doesn't take into consideration the economic benefit to the state every four years."

According to the latest polls, Clinton and Sanders are in a virtual tie right now in Nevada, though many, including Reid, are skeptical of the polls' accuracy.  

Julia Ritchey is a former reporter at KUNR Public Radio.
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