Former New York City Mayor Mike Bloomberg’s first debate in Nevada: bombarded with criticism from fellow candidates—caucus looms large for each.

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Democratic Candidate, Mike Bloomberg at his first debate in Nevada

Siti Hajerah, Reporter

The Democratic debate in Nevada proved the most heated night of the nine face-offs so far with the candidates attacking each other’s electability in all directions.

Six candidates who took the stage included Sen. Bernie Sanders, I-Vt, Sen. Elizabeth Warren, D-Mass., Sen. Amy Klobuchar, D-Minn., former Vice President Joe Biden, and former South Bend Mayor Pete Buttigieg.

This debate was also the first to include the billionaire and former New York City Mayor, Mike Bloomberg.

During the debate, Bloomberg took the bulk of the attacks due to his stop-and-frisk policy, policing tactics targeting black or Hispanic individuals.

According to The New York Times, Sen. Elizabeth Warren, D-Mass., also repeatedly criticized Bloomberg over his history of sexist comments as well as discrimination against women at his company.

“The Democrats should not appoint someone who has a history of embracing racially outrageous practices like stop and frisk and redlining,” she told the debate’s hosts and added that she doesn’t feel the party should nominate someone who has “been charged with discrimination against women, or with sexual harassment. And it’s just shoveled some of his money to cover it up,” Warren said.

With a blast of criticism, Bloomberg addressed any of the comments with what appeared to be uncomfortable responses.

At one point Bloomberg said “Maybe, they didn’t like a joke I told,” in response to the question regarding his treatment toward women in his company.

Appearing on the stage for the first time, Bloomberg struggled to defend himself as comments bombarded him from every side from fellow Democrats. Many saw the attacks as an attempt to cripple Bloomberg’s recent rise in the polls and his invitation to the debate stage.