Author of to kill a mockingbird. Nightly news begins right now. Announcer this is nbc nightly news with lester holt reporting tonight from columbia, South Carolina. Good evening. On the eve of two big votes on the road to the white house, the republicans in a primary showdown here in South Carolina where the headline tonight is donald trump losing ground. In a new nbc news wall street journal marist poll trump now leads torrez but just five points, 2823, down from a 16point lead just a month ago. Rubio virtually unchanged at 15. The next seven days may provide clarity in these races in addition to the republicans voting in South Carolina, democratic voters will caucus in nevada tomorrow followed by republicans there on tuesday and then its back to South Carolina next saturday, the 27th, for the democratic primary. A time line that is ratcheting up the urgency in both races. Weve got both races covered starting tonight with nbcs katy tur in North Charleston for us. Hi, katy. Reporter go