Nevada Republicans Weigh Who Can Rebuild the Party for 2028 After a Historic Midterm Drubbing

What happened

Last week's midterm elections were a historic drubbing for Republicans, The Nevada Independent reported. Since Election Day, Republicans have been pointing fingers and worrying about how to recover. The outlet reported it was finally able to call Nevada's remaining races, though mail ballots could still be counted through Tuesday.

Many longtime Republican operatives told The Indy that Gov. Joe Lombardo had been building up the party's bench by supporting moderate Republican candidates. Lombardo is now out of office. You can read more about how young voters shaped the governor's race.

Strategists split on how deep the damage is

Calls for a reset

Greg Bailor, a Republican political consultant and former Republican National Committee state director, said this is a moment for the party to press reset. "There's not a savior who will arise from the ashes," he told The Indy. He added, "There's a desperate need for candidate recruitment and training that the Republican Party does not have."

Another longtime Republican strategist, who asked not to be named, said the party did not have much of a bench to begin with.

A longer view

A third strategist was more optimistic, pointing out that then-Sen. Paul Laxalt was one of only two Republican senators elected nationally in 1974, after Watergate and a Democratic wave. "I wouldn't say the Republican Party is now a museum exhibit," the strategist said, according to The Indy.

Names being mentioned for 2028

Current officeholders

Eight state senators are Republicans, and the state Assembly will have 10 Republicans, The Indy reported. State Sens. Robin Titus, Lori Rogich and John Steinbeck were named as three to watch for higher office. In local government, the outlet listed Washoe County District Attorney-elect Wes Duncan, Washoe County Commissioner Clara Andriola and Clark County Commissioner April Becker, along with a few Republicans on city councils and in mayoral seats.

Former officials and outsiders

Former Lt. Gov. Mark Hutchison has been highlighted as a possible U.S. Senate candidate in 2028. One strategist said people not currently in office could be enticed to run, as former Gov. Kenny Guinn did in 1996 as an unknown candidate. Others mentioned lobbyist and Army veteran Caleb Cage, Latin Chamber of Commerce President Peter Guzman, and former state Sens. Scott Hammond and Ben Kieckhefer.

Outgoing Controller Andy Matthews told The Indy in a Monday interview that he had no regrets about passing on a 2nd Congressional District bid. "I don't have any intentions to run for any office in 2028," he said, while adding he would keep an open mind. Some also said outgoing Assemblymembers Lisa Cole and Melissa Hardy could return to Nevada politics.

The 2nd Congressional District

Mike Pieper, who served as chief of staff to former Rep. Barbara Vucanovich, told The Indy he always thought the district could flip. He said Democrats could hold the seat even without a wave, especially by focusing on winning Washoe County Republicans.

Rep.-elect Teresa Benitez-Thompson won the seat in what The Indy called one of the most impressive victories in Nevada history. Her ad "Fraud" targeted Republican David Flippo over his military record and finances. Per AdImpact, the campaign spent $200,000 on the ad and earned 19 million impressions, mostly in Reno.

Democrats face their own changes

North Las Vegas Mayor-elect Daniele Monroe-Moreno said at the Democrats' victory party that she will not seek re-election as state Democratic Party chair. The Indy also noted that slow result reporting was one reason a Democratic panel earlier this year declined to make Nevada's presidential primary first in the nation. For more on the results, see how Democrats expanded their Assembly majority.

What to watch next

• Who runs to replace Daniele Monroe-Moreno as chair of the Nevada State Democratic Party, after she said she will not seek re-election.
• Whether Mark Hutchison, highlighted as a possible candidate, enters the 2028 U.S. Senate race.
• Whether Andy Matthews changes course after saying he has no current plans to run in 2028 but will keep an open mind.
• How Nevada Republicans address the candidate recruitment and training gap strategists described.