Elections · Nevada
Most Nevada legislative campaign money is going to just nine of the 53 seats on the ballot, new reports show
Candidates in nine Nevada legislative races took in roughly $2.4 million from July to September, more than half of all legislative giving, as Democrats seek a supermajority and Republicans try to block one.
What happened
Campaign money in Nevada's legislative races is piling up in a small number of contested seats, The Nevada Independent reported. Candidates in nine of the state's 53 legislative races received roughly $2.4 million in direct contributions between July and September. That is more than half of the roughly $4.7 million donated to all legislative candidates in the period.
Of those nine races, only one features a Republican incumbent seeking re-election. Three are open seats, Assembly Districts 2, 9 and 41, and the other five involve Democratic incumbents targeted by Republicans. You can follow more of this year's contests on our elections page.
Why the stakes are high
Democrats hold 27 of 42 Assembly seats and 13 of 21 state Senate seats, according to The Nevada Independent. The party is one seat short of a two-thirds supermajority in both chambers. A supermajority would let Democratic lawmakers override vetoes or raise taxes without Republican support, and Republicans aim to keep the majorities from becoming veto-proof.
Overall, Democrats raised roughly $3.1 million in direct contributions in the quarter, compared with $1.6 million for Republicans. In the nine key races, the median Republican candidate raised $91,000, while the median Democrat raised roughly $190,000.
Where the money is going
State Senate
Sen. Marilyn Dondero Loop (D-Las Vegas) raised roughly $270,000 in Senate District 8 against Republican businessman George Harris, who raised $160,000. Sen. Julie Pazina (D-Las Vegas) raised $250,000 in Senate District 12, while Republican challenger Rafael Arroyo raised roughly $101,000. Sen. Melanie Scheible (D-Las Vegas) raised roughly $200,000, and her Republican opponent, attorney Maria Thompson, raised $190,000.
Assembly
The top Assembly race by money was District 35, where Assm. Rebecca Edgeworth (R-Las Vegas) raised roughly $180,000 against Democrat Joe Spica, a Strip worker and member of the Culinary Workers Union Local 226, who raised roughly $137,000. In the open District 41, Republican Kelly Chapman raised $91,000 and Democrat Vinny Spotleson raised $75,000. In open District 2 in the Summerlin area, Republican Drew Teitelbaum raised roughly $68,000 to Democrat Kamilah Bywaters' roughly $32,000.
In open District 29, Democrat Alex Pereszlenyi raised roughly $68,000 and Republican Joe Ludwig raised roughly $26,000. In District 37, Assm. Shea Backus (D-Las Vegas) raised $130,000, while Clark County Republican chair Jill Douglass raised roughly $38,000 and loaned herself $20,000.
Top fundraisers
Assembly Speaker Pro Tempore Elaine Marzola (D-Las Vegas) led all legislative candidates with nearly $270,000, though she is not in a competitive race. Among non-incumbents, Ryan Hampton, a substance abuse recovery advocate, raised more than $220,000.
Who is giving
Unions, casinos and the teachers union
Republicans leaned on casino corporations and real estate and construction groups, while Democrats drew from unions and advocacy groups, The Nevada Independent reported. The Clark County Education Association backs Gov. Joe Lombardo's re-election but gave to both parties. Its affiliated PAC, Strategic Horizons, sent $600,000 to Marzola's PAC and $100,000 to a PAC run by Assm. Lisa Cole (R-Las Vegas).
New and industry donors
Waymo, a first-time Nevada donor, gave roughly $75,000 to 22 legislative candidates from both parties. For related coverage, see our look at Waymo donations in Nevada races. Data center company Switch gave $23,000 to Democratic candidates and caucuses, and AirBnB gave $11,000 to five Democrats. The Republican Jewish Coalition's Nevada PAC gave $10,000 each to six GOP candidates.
What to watch next
- The fall results in state Assembly and Senate races, where Democrats are one seat shy of a two-thirds supermajority in both chambers.
- Marzola, who The Nevada Independent reported is on track to become the next Assembly speaker in 2027.
- A possible cap on corporate homebuying that state lawmakers are considering next session, which Lombardo has said he supports.
- Possible new regulations from the Legislature next year on industries whose companies are now donating, such as self-driving cars and data centers.
