Democratic presidential hopeful Hillary Clinton landed a decisive victory in Nevada's caucus over the weekend, taking 52 percent of the vote to Sanders' 48. But it wasn't all bad news for the Sanders camp. As Reno Public Radio's Julia Ritchey reports, northern Nevada was actually a bright spot for his campaign.
Long lines of voters snaked around the Ansari Business School at the University of Nevada, Reno, campus on Saturday. The university hosted five precincts made up of downtown residents and college students like Devonnie Matthews, a senior who decided to caucus for Sanders.
"I was pro-Hillary until just recently, so I feel like I did a lot of research and I talked to a lot of my friends. What I like about Bernie is the fact that he didn't have to change his mind about issues when they became cool; he's always been for same-sex marriage and free education and free health care."
Matthews represented the generational divide among the two campaigns. Sanders pulled caucus-goers under the age of 30 by more than 80 percent, according to entrance polls.
Meanwhile older voters, like 80-year-old Spencer Dean, went for Clinton.
"She's been in politics for a long time, and I give her a lot of credit for Bill's success. I think she has better knowledge. I like Bernie Sanders a lot, but I'm stuck with Hillary."
This same argument played out inside as caucusing got underway. Ford Kendrick, a journalism student and first-time caucus chair, led one precinct of about 50 people.
"Caucus to order, the precinct is awarding 13 delegates to our county convention."
Kendrick counted both camps and determined them viable to award delegates.
"So preference group Hillary will have four delegates and the preference group Bernie will have nine."
On the whole, Washoe County swung big for Sanders, 54 percent to Clinton's 46, largely due to those younger voters. Clinton fared better among older voters, women and African-Americans.
Nevada proved to be a more diverse sampling of the broader electorate than Iowa and New Hampshire. Voters like Jana Burd, a sophomore, speak to that.
"It happened ironically that I watched Selma yesterday, which was about having the right to vote. Especially being an African-American female, people died for my right to vote, so I feel like it's important for me to express my voice and share my opinion."
Despite a more diverse turnout, the overall number of voters who came out this weekend did not bode well for Nevada's "First in the West" status.
The Democratic Party estimated about 80,000 people showed up, a steep 31 percent drop from 2008.
Washoe County Democratic Party Executive Director Pam DuPre says they've tried to improve the caucus process and increase digital outreach.
"The Nevada State Democratic Party has pulled out all the stops and used every tool they possibly could to get the word out to Nevadans ... and making it as easy as possible to participate."
Voters like Ken Douglas, however, say the state's caucus is confusing and needs to go.
"I think when you have caucuses mostly the crazies vote and the normal people stay home, and I don't think they're representative of the population at large."
The two Democratic contenders will face each other in South Carolina next weekend, where recent polls put Clinton far ahead of Sanders.
We will have more coverage leading into tomorrow's GOP caucus. Be sure to follow us on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram at Reno Public Radio.
