Las Vegas Review-Journal Endorses Rubio Ahead Of Nevada Caucus

A sign for the Las Vegas Review-Journal is seen Thursday, Dec. 17, 2015, in Las Vegas. The family of billionaire casino mogul and GOP kingmaker Sheldon Adelson confirmed in a statement to the Las Vegas Review-Journal... A sign for the Las Vegas Review-Journal is seen Thursday, Dec. 17, 2015, in Las Vegas. The family of billionaire casino mogul and GOP kingmaker Sheldon Adelson confirmed in a statement to the Las Vegas Review-Journal that they are the new owners of Nevada's largest newspaper, ending a week of speculation and demands by staff and politicians to know the identity of the new boss. (AP Photo/John Locher) MORE LESS
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The editorial board of Nevada’s largest newspaper endorsed Sen. Marco Rubio (R-FL) for the GOP nomination on Friday, citing his “electability” and “deep personal connections to the state.”

The Las Vegas Review-Journal, which was purchased in a secretive process by the family of casino magnate and GOP megadonor Sheldon Adelson in December, included a disclaimer noting that the Adelsons were not involved in the decision.

“The Adelsons have detached themselves from our endorsement process, and our endorsement of Sen. Rubio does not represent the support of the family,” the editorial board noted.

The board of the conservative-leaning paper said they met with several GOP candidates over the last few months, including Jeb Bush, Ben Carson, Sen. Ted Cruz (R-TX) and Carly Fiorina. The writers noted that they made “many attempts” to meet with Donald Trump, given that candidates had to meet with the board to be considered for the endorsement, but “he could not work an interview into his schedule.”

Ultimately, the board chose Rubio, pointing to the years he spent in the Las Vegas Valley as a child, his opposition to federal land management in the West and his advocacy of a “merit-based system of legal immigration.”

The board also argued that Rubio is more electable than Cruz or Trump, who the writers said have “liabilities in November,” and that Rubio’s deeply conservative limited-government attitude and economic policies free him from the “establishment” label often pasted on him.

“If want your next president to be an outsider, Sen. Rubio is part of the discussion,” the board wrote.

Nevada’s first-in-the-West Republican caucus will be held on February 23.

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