Julián Castro cuts a slight figure at 5-foot-8 and 155 pounds. He’s lost 10 pounds in the eight months he has been running for president.

Twelve years after Nevada debuted as one of the four states that sets the tone and tempo of a presidential nominating contest, party strategists are working to boost their visibility in a Democratic primary that has so far disproportionately focused on the other three early states.

In the last 30 years, Nevada has evolved from a sparsely and homogenously populated rural outpost to one of the most urban and diverse states in the country. Nevada’s population is now majority-minority. The Las Vegas-Henderson-Paradise Metropolitan statistical area with over 2.2 million residents is the 28th largest in the country and is home to nearly three out of four Nevadans. By 2060, the demographics of the rest of the United States are expected to look a lot like Las Vegas does today.

In the last 30 years, Nevada has evolved from a sparsely and homogenously populated rural outpost to one of the most urban and diverse states in the country. Nevada’s population is now majority-minority. The Las Vegas-Henderson-Paradise Metropolitan statistical area with over 2.2 million residents is the 28th largest in the country and is home to nearly three out of four Nevadans. By 2060, the demographics of the rest of the United States are expected to look a lot like Las Vegas does today.

As Democratic presidential hopefuls hit the ground to woo voters in the early voting state of Nevada, many are touting how closely their home states align with the fast-growing tourist mecca. Few, though, can say it’s where they stop for mom’s home cooking.

The ink was barely dry on former Henderson redevelopment manager Michelle Romero’s retirement when the 25 year veteran of city government told Councilwoman Gerri Schroder of her interest in the term-limited Schroder’s seat.

Winning the California primary is crucial to Sen. Kamala Harris’ plan to secure the Democratic nomination for president. Winning the Nevada caucuses that will be held a few days earlier in 2020 would give her the momentum to make that task a lot easier.

While a lot of the focus for the 2020 presidential primary race typically lies with Iowa or New Hampshire, an unsuspecting state out West might serve as a true bellwether for Democrats – Nevada.