Clinton Favored by Nevada Jews

Entrance polls at the Nevada Democratic caucuses suggest that the state’s Jews heavily favored Senator Hillary Rodham Clinton in the January 19 primary contest.

Clinton, who won the caucuses Saturday with 50% of the vote, scored 67% of Nevada’s Jewish vote in the Democratic contest, according to CNN entrance polls.

Many of the state’s Jewish leaders, including U.S. Rep. Shelley Berkley, had endorsed Clinton. The win lends momentum to Clinton’s campaign; it comes despite the Culinary Workers Union’s endorsement of her chief rival, Senator Barack Obama. The union, representing many of the state’s casino employees, was believed to be a major force in the state.

Mitt Romney, the former Massachusetts governor, won more than half of the GOP’s overall vote in Nevada; Jews, however, did not register in Republican entrance polls. Jewish groups had complained to both parties about the Sabbath date for the caucuses.