A slate of Democratic presidential candidates rallied with striking casino workers in Las Vegas on Wednesday as they work to attract support from labor groups ahead of the evening’s primary debate and the Nevada caucuses on Saturday.
Former Vice President Joe Biden, former South Bend, Ind., Mayor Pete Buttigieg, businessman Tom Steyer and Sens. Amy Klobuchar (D-Minn.) and Elizabeth Warren (D-Mass.) were all seen protesting with the workers, who are demanding a new contract at Palms Casino Resort.
“Proud to stand with the cooks, servers, bartenders, and housekeepers of @Culinary226 as they stand up for their right to organize,” Buttigieg tweeted after his appearance at the protest.
The demonstration was organized by Nevada’s powerful Culinary Workers Union, which holds significant sway in the Silver State. The group raised eyebrows after it squared off with supporters of Sen. Bernie Sanders (I-Vt.) over his “Medicare for All” plan and later declined to endorse a 2020 candidate.
The Democratic White House hopefuls have scrambled for labor support throughout the campaign, seeking to win over working class voters who historically vote Democrat but defected to President Trump in 2016.
The Saturday Nevada caucuses will be the first real test of candidates’ support among Hispanic voters, who could account for up to one-fifth of the primary electorate in the state.
Polls there show Sanders and Biden locked in contention for the top spot, with Warren trailing in third and Steyer making a push to break into the top tier.