The Nevada caucus is vital for state

In February, Nevada will conduct its caucus for both the Democrat and Republican presidential hopefuls. As with 2008 and 2012, much will be riding on this year’s presidential election for both parties.

Between today and that time, Nevadans can expect to see an influx of candidates visit the Silver State. So far, Marco Rubio and Mike Huckabee have made the trip to Fallon, while others from booth parties have made stops in Las Vegas, Carson City and Reno. Donald Trump, the leading Republican in the polls, makes his second trip to Northern Nevada on Sunday for a rally.

Although two Republican candidates have visited Fallon, it would be interesting for any of the three Democrats to come here. It has happened before.

In January 2008, then U.S. Sen. Barack Obama drew hundreds to the Churchill County Middle School gym, while former President Bill Clinton campaigned for his wife at a rally at the high school a week before the state conducted its first caucus. He also toured flood-damaged homes in Fernley.

Hillary Clinton, as a newly elected senator from New York, once visited Fallon 15 years ago to attend a hearing on the Fallon leukemia cluster.

Much will happen between now and the end of February. Iowa will conduct a caucus on Feb. 1, and New Hampshire follows with a primary vote on Feb. 9

Nevada’s caucus is Feb. 20 for the Democrats and Feb. 23 for the Republicans, the same day South Carolina also has its “first-in-the-South” primary election. By definition a caucus is a meeting of individuals belonging to a legislative body who are members of a particular political party to select candidates. By the end of February, the nation will have a better idea of who is left standing, and which candidates have the support to wither March, beginning with Super Tuesday on March 1. Eleven states will have primary voting while the 12th, Colorado, has a caucus.

Furthermore, we hope state and local leaders from each party are reviewing caucus procedures carefully since Nevada is the first state in the West to select candidates.

More holiday cheer:

Fallon’s Hearts of Gold Quilters went above and beyond in 2015 to help needy families.

Among the many generous organizations that help out Fallon families is the Hearts of Gold Quilters. Every year this group of women makes and donates about 80 quilts to organizations such as Rooms for Ruth, Child and Family Services, FRIENDS and The Homestead, as well as any family in need who may have lost everything in a fire.

This year the club was able to make Christmas more special for 17 families with a large food basket for each as well as a handmade quilt and gifts for each of the 52 children from these families.

Editorials written by the LVN Editorial Board appear on Wednesdays.