However, relative to the nation, Nevada had trended Republican since the end of World War II when Populist radicalism gave way to small-town and rural conservatism due to demographic and technological change.

This Republican trend was aided by a fall in demand for construction work in Las Vegas and several major strikes across the state.

[10] Ultimately former Vice President Richard Nixon, with 47.46% of the popular vote,[11] won Nevada more substantially than predicted by the last polls, though by less than thought likely in September and early October.

"Independent American" candidate George Wallace finished with 13.25% of the popular vote, close to his national average but his best performance outside the Confederacy and Border States.

Wallace's success was largely due to his endorsement by state congressman Walter S. Baring Jr., a conservative "States' Rights Democrat" who consistently managed huge majorities in Nevada's rural 'Cow Counties' (the 14 counties apart from Clark, Washoe, and Carson City).