Boost for Sanders

Democrat Senator wins Nevada vote with big youth turnout

FAR left candidate Bernie Sanders has cemented his frontrunner status in early counting of the third primary vote to determine who will challenge US President Donald Trump.

The 78-year-old Vermont senator, a self-described socialist and the oldest candidate in the field, was propelled by a massive youth turnout to win the Nevada caucuses, taking close to two thirds of voters aged under 30 in early counting.

While counting is continuing, Fox News called it for Mr Sanders after just 4 per cent of the results were tallied.

Coming after a draw and win in the first contests in Iowa and New Hampshire, Mr Sanders’ victory sets the stage for a showdown over his signature promises of universal healthcare, free college and banning fossil fuels.

The result was a blow for former vice-president Joe Biden, who is now banking on the support of black voters in the weekend’s South Carolina primary poll to resuscitate his campaign ahead of next week’s crucial Super Tuesday contest, where a third of the potential delegates will be counted.

A former favourite, Mr

Biden came second in Nevada but with about half the votes of Mr Sanders in early counting. It followed him coming fourth and fifth in the first primaries.

Washington outsider Pete Buttigieg was third in early counting, after first drawing and then coming a close second to Mr Sanders in the past two contests.

Nevada is the most diverse state to so far have voted in the primaries, with Iowa and New Hampshire boasting more than 90 per cent white populations.

The poll came under the shadow of election interference amid reports Russia was trying to sway the 2020 race in Mr Sanders’ favour.

Mr Buttigieg tried to capitalise on the new Russian allegations in a fundraising email to supporters, describing them as “deeply troubling”.