Nevada Governor Joe Lombardo endorses Trump, will caucus for former president

CARSON CITY, Nev. (News 4 & Fox 11) — Nevada Republican Governor Joe Lombardo said he's endorsing Donald Trump and he plans to caucus for the former president on February 8.

Lombardo first made the announcement during an interview with the Nevada Independent on Thursday morning.

The first-term governor said he will vote for "none of these candidates" in the state's presidential preference primary on February 6 and caucus for the former president during the state's GOP caucus two days later.

“We need President Trump’s decisive leadership back in Washington, D.C. President Trump oversaw record economic success, implemented strong foreign policy, and ensured our law enforcement officers are treated with the respect they deserve.”

RELATED |Confused by Nevada's first presidential primary in decades? Here's your voter guide

Lombardo previously ripped his party's plan to hold a caucus despite a primary election occurring two days prior, a split that some state Republican officials warn could confuse voters in a key early nomination state.

The state's GOP has vowed to split up its delegates to candidates participating in the caucus - nullifying the results of the state's presidential preference primary. Florida Governor Ron DeSantis is now Trump's only challenger in the Nevada GOP caucus after Vivek Ramaswamy dropped out after the Iowa caucus. Nikki Haley is the top candidate running in the state's Republican primary but the results will not matter in the nominating process.

The former president endorsed Lombardo when he was running for governor against Democrat Steve Sisolak.

This is a breaking story. Check back with us for updates.