Bull riders at the National Finals Rodeo. Carbo loaders at the Rock ‘n’ Roll Marathon. Las Vegas is used to out-of-town visitors. But this weekend brings a different kind of tourist — GOP presidential hopefuls.
They will be coming in advance of the CNN-sponsored debate at the Venetian on Tuesday, where candidates like Florida Sen. Marco Rubio, former Florida Gov. Jeb Bush and retired neurosurgeon Ben Carson will try to stall the momentum of frontrunner Donald Trump, who came under heavy criticism this week for his proposal to bar Muslims entry to the United States.
For many of the candidates, the days leading up to and after the debate will be filled with public rallies and private meetings in Nevada, which holds the fourth nominating contest in the country on Feb. 23. Here’s all the latest on their schedules:
Trump will appear at 7:30 p.m. Monday at the Westgate Las Vegas. His last public appearance in Las Vegas came before workers at the Trump International Hotel voted to unionize.
One of Trump’s closest competitors, Rubio, will be holding a rally at 2 p.m. Monday at the Renaissance Las Vegas hotel. His campaign recently moved the location of the event from Green Valley Ranch Resort in Henderson.
On the morning of the debate, several candidates have events booked.
Kentucky Sen. Rand Paul — in danger of losing his spot in the debate’s main stage — will hold an event at 11:30 a.m. Tuesday at his campaign headquarters on Palms Airport Drive. He will speak at 11 a.m. Wednesday to the Las Vegas Economic Club at Caesars Palace, before traveling to Reno for a rally that afternoon.
Ohio Gov. John Kasich will have a meet-and-greet at 11:15 a.m. Tuesday at Tipsy Coffee House, 6496 Medical Center St.
Former Arkansas Gov. Mike Huckabee will be holding a full schedule of public events before the debate. He’s attending the Sun City Anthem Republican Club Christmas Celebration at 9:30 a.m. Saturday in Henderson, before traveling to the Northern Nevada for events at the home of state Controller Ron Knecht on Sunday and rallies Monday in Fallon and Carson City.
After the debate finishes, Nevada politicians may be flying out for a special session of the Legislature. Several candidates may have booked seats on the same flight.
Carson will hold events at 2 p.m. Wednesday at the Carson City Community Center and 6 p.m. at the Elko Convention Center.
Former HP CEO Carly Fiorina will also travel north to hold an energy policy discussion at 2 p.m. Wednesday at the Atlantis casino in Reno.
Texas Sen. Ted Cruz will hold a town hall Thursday at the Siena retirement community in Summerlin.
Bush’s campaign has not yet scheduled any public events.
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