Editor's note: This information was compiled ahead of the candidate filing period, which runs from March 4-15 and will not be updated. For the full list of candidates who have filed for the 2024 election, visit our filing tracker here.

Candidate filing is still months away — in March 2024 for those seeking a seat in the Legislature — but campaign season is already well underway, with Republicans and Democrats sparring over critical battleground seats that will determine the balance of power in the 2025 legislative session.

This election cycle, Democrats are looking to bolster their legislative majorities and secure veto-proof, two-thirds supermajorities in both chambers. Democrats already hold a 28-seat supermajority in the 42-member Assembly, and are just one short of the 14 seats needed for a supermajority in the 21-member Senate. 

However, Republicans are trying to stop Democrats so Republican Gov. Joe Lombardo retains veto power. If Democrats attain a supermajority in both chambers, they can override any governor veto.

For a full breakdown of who has announced so far, check out our tracker. Read further below for details on candidate announcements and how races are shaping up. 

Have you seen an announcement that we haven’t noticed? Want to flag something related to legislative elections for us? Please email [email protected]. 

Last updated: Feb. 20, 2024

Democrats endorse in Vegas swing district represented by Gorelow

Assembly Democrats have endorsed business owner Sharifa Wahab for Assembly District 35 — a seat that will be open because Assemblywoman Michelle Gorelow (D-Las Vegas) announced she would not be running for re-election.

Wahab owns 1st Las Vegas Home Care, which provides elderly and disabled people with home-based, nonmedical care such as grocery shopping, meal preparation, running errands and housekeeping. 

In 2016, she founded the Nevada Peacemakers Lions Club, which offers vision screening, eyeglasses and cataract surgery for people without health insurance. Along with Wahab’s nonprofit work, she serves as a member on a number of public and nonprofit boards.

In 2023, Wahab won the title of Ms. Senior Afghanistan Universe.

The district is considered a swing seat, with 30 percent of voters registered as Democrats, 27 percent as Republicans and 36 percent as nonpartisan.

Democrats endorse in open Vegas district represented by Bilbray-Axelrod

Assembly Democrats have endorsed entrepreneur and philanthropist Hanadi Nadeem for Assembly District 34 on Feb. 15. The district is represented by Assemblywoman Shannon Bilbray-Axelrod (D-Las Vegas), who recently announced a bid for the Clark County Commission District C seat, which is open after incumbent Ross Miller opted not to seek re-election.

Nadeem is the CEO of the Southern Nevada health care clinic Shifa Medical. She previously served on the board for the 2016 gun control ballot initiative Nevadans for Background Checks and is a board member of the Equal Rights Commission.

The Las Vegas district favors Democrats, with 35 percent of voters registered as Democrats, 34 percent registered as nonpartisan and 23 percent registered as Republican.

Assembly Democrats endorse Air Force veteran in open Assembly District 17

The Nevada Assembly Democratic Caucus endorsed Air Force veteran Mishon Montgomery for Assembly District 17, which covers portions of North Las Vegas.

The seat is open after Assemblywoman Claire Thomas (D-North Las Vegas) announced plans to run for Senate District 1, represented by termed-out Sen. Pat Spearman (D-North Las Vegas).

The caucus’ Jan. 9 announcement highlighted Montgomery’s military service and work with various organizations “to motivate leaders to meet the demands of a rapidly diversifying workplace and community.” Montgomery sits on the boards including for the political leadership training program Emerge Nevada and the LGBTQ+ civil rights group Silver State Equality.

The district leans in favor of Democrats with 39 percent of voters registered as Democrats, 17 percent registered as Republicans and 37 percent registered as nonpartisan.

Sen. Dina Neal announces re-election bid

Sen. Dina Neal (D-North Las Vegas) announced Jan. 5 that she will seek a second term representing District 4, which includes portions of North Las Vegas.

In her re-election announcement, Neal highlighted her work to secure $37 million to relocate Windsor Park residents and vote to increase K-12 funding during the legislative session. 

The district favors Democrats, with 44 percent of voters registered as Democrats, 13 percent registered as Republicans and 36 percent registered as nonpartisan. 

Neal is the final legislative incumbent to announce her intentions for the 2024 election, though nothing is set in stone until candidate filing in March.

Democrats endorse candidate in open Democratic district

The Assembly Democratic Caucus endorsed Tanya Flanagan in her run for Assembly District 7, a seat recently vacated by former Assemblyman C.H. Miller (D-North Las Vegas) who resigned to run for North Las Vegas City Council. 

Flanagan is a public information administrator for Clark County and previously served as president of the board of directors for the Susan G. Komen Nevada Breast Cancer Foundation.

As a three-time breast cancer survivor, Flanagan said in a press release that she has seen the effects of health care policy on Nevadans’ lives and is committed to “supporting legislation to make care more affordable and accessible.”

Democratic voters represent 42 percent of all registered voters in the district, while Republicans represent 17 percent and nonpartisan voters represent 35 percent of registered voters. 

Democrats endorse environmental advocate for open Assembly seat

The Nevada Assembly Democratic Caucus endorsed Cinthia Moore for Assembly District 11, a Las Vegas area seat held by Assemblywoman Bea Duran (D-Las Vegas), who announced in October that she would not run for re-election.

Moore is the environmental coalition coordinator for Make the Road Nevada, a nonprofit immigrant advocacy group. She is also a member of the Nevada Equity Cabinet launched by Rep. Steven Horsford (D-NV).

The district is Democratic-leaning, with 41 percent of voters registered as Democrats, 11 percent as Republicans and 41 percent as nonpartisan.

In 2018, Moore ran to represent Assembly District 12 but lost in the primary.

Democrats endorse candidate in open Republican district

Members of the Assembly Democratic Caucus announced they were endorsing addiction recovery advocate Ryan Hampton for Assembly District 4 on Dec. 18. 

The district includes a portion of northwest Las Vegas and is held by Assemblyman Richard McArthur (R-Las Vegas), who announced plans to run for an open state Senate seat earlier this year. 

Hampton is in recovery from a decade-long opioid addiction and has led many addiction recovery organizing campaigns. An author and public speaker, he also served as a former aide to President Bill Clinton.

According to reports from the caucus, Hampton is amassing a war chest and has already raised more than $140,000. That number cannot be verified until he files his first contributions and expense report with the Nevada secretary of state’s office on Jan. 15, 2024 (state law requires a candidate to report by that deadline if he or she has received one or more contributions over $100, regardless of whether the person has filed a declaration of candidacy).

Earlier this year, Lombardo endorsed Republican businesswoman Lisa Cole for the seat.

The district has a fairly even party split, with 31 percent of voters registered as Republicans, 30 percent registered as Democrats and 31 percent registered as nonpartisan.

Republican facing felony charges announces Assembly bid

Clark County Republican Party Chair Jesse Law announced he would run for Assembly District 2 Wednesday morning shortly before the indictment was announced for his role in falsely pledging Nevada’s electoral votes to Donald Trump in 2020. 

The district is represented by Assemblywoman Heidi Kasama (R-Las Vegas), who is running for Congress. It’s unclear how the indictment will affect Law’s run for office.

He did not respond to a phone call or voice message requesting an interview or comment on the indictment.

The Princeton Gerrymandering Project indicates the district has a slight Democratic lean. About 30 percent of voters are registered as Democrats, 31 percent as Republicans and 31 percent as nonpartisans.

Assembly Democrats endorse attorney for Reno Assembly District 27 seat

Nevada Assembly Democrats endorsed attorney Alex Velto for Assembly District 27, held by Assemblywoman Angie Taylor (D-Reno), who is running for state Senate District 15.

Velto is an attorney at the Hutchison & Steffen law firm, practicing primarily in litigation and labor and employment law. In the endorsement message, Democrats said Velto would focus on improving the education system, reducing health care costs and keeping communities safe. 

The district is considered a safe Democratic seat, where 34 percent of voters are registered as Democrats, 25 percent are registered as Republicans and 33 percent are registered as nonpartisans.

Lombardo endorses GOP opponent for Assembly District 25

Gov. Joe Lombardo endorsed Diana Sande for Nevada Assembly District 25 on Dec. 5. The district is represented by Assemblywoman Selena La Rue Hatch (D-Reno), who assumed office after the 2022 election.

Sande was born in Puerto Rico and is the health communications and program manager of UNR’s Black Youth Mental Health Initiative through the School of Public Health.

The district has a Democratic lean, with 34 percent of voters registered as Democrats, 31 percent registered as Republicans and 28 percent registered as nonpartisan.

Lombardo endorses GOP challenger in Assembly District 41

Gov. Joe Lombardo endorsed businessman Rafael Arroyo for Southern Nevada’s Assembly District 41, which has been represented by Assemblywoman Sandra Jauregui (D-Las Vegas) since 2017.

In his Dec.4 endorsement, Lombardo cited Arroyo’s record as an entrepreneur. According to Arroyo’s campaign website, he established the first Smog Plus business in the Las Vegas Valley in 2008 and has since opened up 10 more locations where customers can test their cars for emissions and receive third-party vehicle registration services.

“As we work to empower small businesses across Nevada, Rafael knows the challenges they face and understands how to ensure their continued growth,” Lombardo said.

In 2022, Jauregui won re-election to the seat by a margin of 5.7 points, or roughly 1,400 votes.

Within the district, Democrats account for about 31 percent of registered voters, Republicans represent about 25 percent of registered voters and roughly 36 percent of voters are nonpartisan. An analysis by the Princeton Gerrymandering Project indicates that the district has a slight Democratic advantage.

Democrats endorse candidate in Assembly District 29 race

Months after Assemblywoman Lesley Cohen (D-Henderson) announced she would not run for re-election in 2024, the Nevada Assembly Democratic Caucus has endorsed attorney Joe Dalia for the seat.

An attorney specializing in privacy law, Dalia said in the Nov. 30 announcement that he is committed to building a Nevada where his three children and other young people in Nevada “will grow up and have greater opportunities.”

“As a father of three children, Joe knows firsthand the challenges families face all across Nevada, and we are proud to support him for AD-29,” said Speaker Steve Yeager (D-Las Vegas).

Gov. Joe Lombardo has endorsed Republican educator Annette Dawson Owens for the seat.

Cohen defeated Dalia in the 2022 Democratic primary election by nearly 40 percentage points.

Democrats represent 32 percent of registered voters in the district, while Republicans represent 25 percent of registered voters and 35 percent are nonpartisan.

Democrats endorse challenger in competitive Senate District 5

The Nevada Senate Democratic caucus endorsed lobbyist Jennifer Atlas as the Democratic challenger for Senate District 5, represented by Sen. Carrie Buck (R-Henderson).

In an announcement released Nov. 29, the caucus described Atlas as an education advocate and community leader “running to provide more effective leadership” in the Senate.

“As a single mother, Jennifer knows the challenges Nevada families face,” said Senate Majority Leader Nicole Cannizzaro (D-Las Vegas). “I know Jennifer will fight to lower the cost of housing and health care, get a qualified teacher in every classroom, and will stand up to extremists looking to take away our rights.”

Atlas serves on the City of Henderson’s Blue Ribbon Commission on Education.

The district has a fairly even partisan split, with 29.7 percent of voters registered as Democrats, 29.7 percent registered as Republicans and 32.9 percent registered as nonpartisan.

Buck narrowly won her 2020 Senate race by half a percentage point, carrying 48.8 percent of the vote. As president of The Pinecrest Foundation, which supports educational initiatives for students, Buck has made education a central tenet of her re-election campaign.

Democrats endorse candidate for vacant Assembly District 10 seat

The Nevada Assembly Democratic Caucus endorsed retired electrician Venise Karris to fill the Assembly District 10 seat after Assemblywoman Sabra Smith Newby (D-Las Vegas) resigned from it in August to take a job as a Las Vegas deputy city manager.

The Nov. 28 announcement highlighted Karris’ experience as an executive board member and an acting union steward of the International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers Local 357 for almost seven years. 

“She has a decades-long history in the district and I am confident she will connect with the residents of Assembly District 10 and bring a unique perspective to the Legislature,” said Speaker Steve Yeager (D-Las Vegas) in a press release.

The district favors Democrats, with 37 percent of voters registered as Democrats, 20 percent as Republicans and 35 percent as nonpartisans.

Lombardo endorses educator Annette Dawson Owens for Assembly District 29

Educator Annette Dawson Owens, a Republican, announced plans to run for Henderson’s Assembly District 29 on Nov. 14 with an endorsement from Gov. Joe Lombardo.

The longtime educator who works as the Children Advocacy Alliance’s School Readiness policy director aims to flip the key legislative battleground district red. Assemblywoman Lesley Cohen (D-Henderson) announced earlier this year she would not run for re-election in 2024, citing a desire to focus on her private life.

“I've devoted my career to helping children succeed, and I'm ready to work with Governor Lombardo to ensure we continue improving our schools,” Dawson Owens said in a press release.

Joe Dalia, a Democrat and attorney Cohen defeated in the 2022 primary election, is also running for the seat. Democrats represent 32 percent of registered voters in the district, while Republicans represent 25 percent of registered voters and 35 percent are nonpartisan.

Northern Nevada Assembly Republican announces re-election bid

Assemblywoman Jill Dickman (R-Sparks) intends to run for re-election to again represent Northern Nevada’s Assembly District 31.

Dickman said in her Nov. 6 announcement that the upcoming session is “critical” to protecting Nevada’s friendly business climate and working to fix the state’s education system. The Republican has served three nonconsecutive terms in the Assembly.

The district favors Republicans, with 39 percent of voters registered as Republicans, 26 percent registered as Democrats and 27 percent as nonpartisan.

Lombardo endorses businesswoman Lisa Cole in Assembly District 4 election

Businesswoman Lisa Cole has jumped into the crowded Assembly District 4 Republican primary election with a coveted endorsement from Gov. Joe Lombardo.

In her Nov. 6 announcement, Cole played up her years of business experience and noted she played a significant role in establishing North Las Vegas’ Apex Industrial Park through her work on groundwater rights permitting and water system design.

"Nevada needs leaders who will empower working families with new opportunities, not hold them back," Cole said in a press release. 

The northwest Las Vegas seat is open after incumbent Assemblyman Richard McArthur (R-Las Vegas) announced plans to run for an open state Senate seat. 

Other GOP candidates include former Metro Police Captain Robert Plummer and businessman Jacob Deaville, who has been endorsed by Lt. Gov. Stavros Anthony, State Controller Andy Matthews and McArthur.

Voter registration for the district as of the end of October is about 30 percent Democrat, roughly 31 percent Republican and about 31 percent nonpartisan.

Assembly Democrats announce 19 re-election bids

Nineteen incumbent Assembly Democrats are planning to run for re-election in 2024.

The Nov. 2 announcement indicates that a majority of the 28 Assembly Democrats who served in 2023 will seek another two-year term in the chamber. Those planning to run again include Speaker Steve Yeager (D-Las Vegas), Majority Floor Leader Sandra Jauregui (D-Las Vegas), Speaker Pro Tem Daniele Monroe-Moreno (D-Las Vegas) and seven lawmakers who chaired committees in the 2023 session. Only three lawmakers who chaired a committee will not be running for a chance to return.

The full list of Democrats running for re-election:

• Assembly District 1 - Daniele Monroe-Moreno (D-North Las Vegas)
• Assembly District 3 - Selena Torres (D-Las Vegas)
• Assembly District 5 - Brittney Miller (D-Las Vegas)
• Assembly District 8 - Duy Nguyen (D-Las Vegas)
• Assembly District 9 - Steve Yeager (D-Las Vegas)
• Assembly District 12 - Max Carter (D-Las Vegas)
• Assembly District 14 - Erica Mosca (D-Las Vegas)
• Assembly District 15 - Howard Watts (D-Las Vegas)
• Assembly District 16 - Cecelia Gonzalez (D-Las Vegas)
• Assembly District 18 - Venicia Considine (D-Las Vegas)
• Assembly District 20 - David Orentlicher (D-Las Vegas)
• Assembly District 21 - Elaine Marzola (D-Henderson)
• Assembly District 25 - Selena La Rue Hatch (D-Reno)
• Assembly District 28 - Reuben D’Silva (D-North Las Vegas)
• Assembly District 30 - Natha Anderson (D-Sparks)
• Assembly District 34 - Shannon Bilbray-Axelrod (D-Las Vegas)
• Assembly District 37 - Shea Backus (D-Las Vegas)
• Assembly District 41 - Sandra Jauregui (D-Las Vegas)
• Assembly District 42 - Tracy Brown-May (D-Las Vegas)

Though the majority of Assembly Democrats are planning to return, a quarter of the state’s 42 Assembly members will not be running for re-election, with some announcing early resignations and others running for a different office.

The only incumbent Democrat in the Assembly who has not announced her plans is Assemblywoman Shondra Summers-Armstrong (D-Las Vegas).

Democrat Bea Duran announces she will not run for re-election

Assemblywoman Bea Duran (D-Las Vegas) announced Oct. 30 she would not be running for re-election to her Las Vegas-area Assembly district, saying that she wanted to “step away to spend more time with my family and make room for new voices to lead our state.”

First appointed to represent Assembly District 11 in 2018, Duran — a Culinary Union grievance specialist — won subsequent re-elections in 2020 and 2022. 

No major party candidate has yet announced a bid to represent the district in which Democrats hold a 30 percentage point advantage in registered voters over Republicans.

Retired Henderson police officer Arndt gets Lombardo endorsement for Assembly bid

Republican retired police officer April Arndt announced her candidacy for Las Vegas' Assembly District 21 — and an endorsement from Gov. Joe Lombardo — on Oct. 24. The district is represented by Assemblywoman Elaine Marzola (D-Las Vegas), who won her 2022 race by 4.8 percentage points.

“A mother of three and a 22-year veteran of the Henderson Police Department who served in the Special Victims Unit, April knows firsthand how important it is that we empower law enforcement to protect our communities,” Lombardo said in a press release. “April will provide a vital perspective for how to put criminals in jail and ensure justice for victims.”

Arndt ran for Senate District 12 in 2022, but lost in the Republican primary. The seat is now held by Democrat Julie Pazina.

Assembly District 21 has a narrow Democratic advantage, with the party holding a 5 percentage point lead in registered voters over Republicans.

Former Assemblyman John Ellison announces bid for Senate

Former Assemblyman John Ellison (R-Elko) announced a bid Oct. 23 for Senate District 19, which covers a significant portion of eastern Nevada and includes portions of Elko, Eureka, White Pine, Nye, Lincoln and Clark counties.

The seat, which is held by termed-out Sen. Pete Goicoechea (R-Eureka), is a longtime Republican stronghold, with the Republican Party carrying a 13 percentage point lead in registered voters over Democrats.

“I am proud of the work I was able to accomplish during my time in the Assembly,” Ellison said in a press release. “Running for the Senate is something I've always wanted to do, and now that my friend Pete Goicoechea is leaving, I am ready to step in.”

A founding member of the Nevada Legislative Freedom Caucus in 2021, Ellison served as an assemblyman from 2010 to 2022. He was endorsed by State Controller Andy Matthews, Republican Assembly Minority Leader P.K. O’Neill (R-Carson City) and Republican Assembly Northern Nevada Leader Jill Dickman (R-Reno).

Lori Rogich to challenge Harris, gets Lombardo endorsement

Republican Lori Rogich, an attorney and the spouse of former Iceland ambassador Sig Rogich, announced Oct. 18 that she would run for Senate District 11 against incumbent Sen. Dallas Harris (D-Las Vegas).

Her campaign announcement included an endorsement from Gov. Joe Lombardo.

“A single mother that put herself through college and law school, built a successful business, and now a tireless education advocate, Lori has a unique perspective that will be invaluable in the legislature,” Lombardo said. 

Rogich spent her career advising businesses on government regulations and compliance and recently won a lawsuit against the Clark County School District for failing to adequately meet the needs of children who learn differently.

The Las Vegas district is considered competitive, with more registered nonpartisans than either major party. Democrats only carry a 6 percentage point voter registration advantage over Republicans.

Harris announced that she would be running for re-election on Oct. 10.

Deaville announces for McArthur’s seat

Businessman Jacob Deaville launched a bid Tuesday for Assembly District 4, which includes portions of northwest Las Vegas and is open after incumbent Assemblyman Richard McArthur (R-Las Vegas) announced he's running for state Senate. 

"With Democrats already holding a supermajority in the Assembly, we can’t afford to lose a single seat in 2024,” Deaville said in his press announcement. 

A Republican, Deaville announced endorsements from Lt. Gov. Stavros Anthony, State Controller Andy Matthews and McArthur.

“When elected to office, I will fight to improve our economy, pull Nevada out of the bottom of the barrel in education, help our law enforcement fight crime and lock up criminals, and defend our children from attacks on their innocence from politicians and bureaucrats,” Deaville said. 

In the announcement, Deaville highlighted his experience as the president of the UNLV College Republicans and said he “successfully exposed liberal bias and extremist professors on campus.”

In 2022, Deaville ran for adjacent Assembly District 37 but lost to Assemblywoman Shea Backus (D-Las Vegas) by 2.6 percentage points.

Lombardo endorses fire chief for Senate District 18 seat

In the already crowded Republican primary to represent Senate District 18, which covers the far northwest corner of the Las Vegas Valley, Gov. Joe Lombardo endorsed Clark County Fire Chief John Steinbeck on Friday.

The coveted endorsement highlighted Steinbeck's experience as "a first responder, firefighter, leader, manager and family man."

"He's an outstanding leader, and he will serve with honor and integrity in Carson City," Lombardo wrote in a post on X, formerly known as Twitter.

Assemblyman Richard McArthur (R-Las Vegas) and businessman Josh Leavitt also announced bids for the state Senate seat, which is represented by termed-out state Sen. Scott Hammond (R-Las Vegas).

Hafen announces re-election bid

Third-term Assemblyman Gregory Hafen II (R-Pahrump) announced in mid-September that he would be running for re-election in 2024 to represent Assembly District 36.

“Republicans throughout the state must ensure they vote Republican all the way down the ticket in the 2024 election in order to prevent Democrat super majorities in both houses,” Hafen said in his campaign announcement. “We must defend Governor Lombardo’s ability to veto the bad policies of the Democrat Party that harm hard working Nevadans.”

Cannizzaro goes for third term 

Sen. Nicole Cannizzaro (D-Las Vegas) — the Senate’s majority leader since 2019 and the first woman to hold the title in Nevada — is throwing her hat into the ring for a third (and final, because of term limits) state Senate run in 2024. 

Long a swing district, her Summerlin-area Senate District 6 will be easier to defend this go-round, as redistricting gave Democrats an 11-point edge over Republicans among registered voters, per the Princeton Gerrymandering Project.  

Oldest lawmaker looks to jump from Assembly to open Senate seat

In September, the state’s oldest lawmaker, 80-year-old Assemblyman Richard McArthur (R-Las Vegas), announced a bid for state Senate District 18 which covers the far northwest corner of the Las Vegas Valley.

The district represented by termed-out Sen. Scott Hammond (R-Las Vegas) is the only urban Las Vegas district where the expected vote share favors Republicans over Democrats (51.7 percent to 48.3 percent), according to the Princeton University Gerrymandering Project). 

McArthur has served five nonconsecutive terms in the Assembly between 2008 and 2023.

Five Assembly incumbents bow out

As of Sept. 21, at least five members of the state Assembly have announced that they will not be running for re-election in 2024.

Assemblywoman Sabra Newby (D-Las Vegas) has resigned from the Legislature to take a job as deputy city manager in Las Vegas.

“This is my return to local government,” Newby told the Nevada Current. “It’s a passion of mine in terms of service to our citizens. It was the honor of my career to serve as an assemblywoman in the Nevada State Assembly, but I feel like this is my home. I have so much to give in that capacity.”

Assemblywoman Michelle Gorelow (D-Las Vegas) announced that she would not run for re-election Sept. 1, a surprise move that came after Gorelow faced increasing pressure to justify taking a new position at a nonprofit that received hundreds of thousands of dollars in legislatively approved funding earlier this year. 

Gorelow told The Nevada Independent that the pushback did not affect her decision not to run in 2024 because she wanted to focus on her new role implementing an early intervention program for children with disabilities, which would be time-consuming.

In key legislative battleground Assembly District 29, Assemblywoman Lesley Cohen (D-Henderson) announced she would not be running for re-election in 2024, citing a desire to focus on her private life.

“I am deeply grateful for the trust and support my constituents and supporters have placed in me since 2012, however, I have decided it is time to take a step back from politics and focus on my private life moving forward,” Cohen said in a statement.

Joe Dalia, a Democrat and attorney who Cohen defeated in the primary election last year, is running for the seat again.

In August, Assemblywoman Claire Thomas (D-North Las Vegas) declared her candidacy for Senate District 1, a seat represented by Sen. Pat Spearman (D-North Las Vegas), who is termed out. 

Second-term Assemblywoman Heidi Kasama (R-Las Vegas) announced plans in August to run for Southern Nevada’s Congressional District 3 instead of Summerlin’s Assembly District 2, pledging to focus her campaign on education, economic development and public safety.  

Democratic Assembly members seeking Senate seats face primary challengers

In two open state Senate districts, competitive Democratic primaries are already beginning to unfold.

Higher education regent and school principal Michelee “Shelly” Cruz-Crawford announced she was running for the overwhelmingly Democratic Senate District 1, represented by termed-out Sen. Pat Spearman (D-North Las Vegas).

Though Cruz-Crawford has the early backing of the Senate Democratic Caucus, she will likely be running against Assemblywoman Claire Thomas (D-North Las Vegas), who announced during the AFL-CIO convention in August that she would be running for the seat.

Within hours of one another, Assemblywoman Angie Taylor (D-Reno) and longtime Reno City Council member Naomi Duerr announced plans in early September to run for Senate District 15 in 2024, setting up a Democratic primary challenge in a key legislative seat closely eyed by both political parties.

The two Democrats are competing for the seat of Sen. Heidi Seevers Gansert (R-Reno), who has spent more than a dozen years in the Legislature but announced in early August that she would not run for re-election in order to spend more time with her family. No Republican candidates have announced for the Senate seat yet.

Her decision not to run for a third term comes after the 2021 redistricting process, in which legislators redrew Seevers Gansert’s district to favor Democratic candidates. The Democratic voter registration advantage over Republicans increased from about 1 point to more than 6 points.

Republicans look to flip swingy Assembly seats

Two of the first Republicans to announce they are seeking to flip control of seats in the Assembly are businessman Brandon Davis and attorney David Brog.

Davis announced in August that he would run for Assembly District 34, which is represented by Assemblywoman Shannon Bilbray-Axelrod (D-Las Vegas) and one of the seats Republicans are targeting this election cycle. 

Davis made an unsuccessful bid for governor in 2022 as a Libertarian candidate.

Brog is looking to unseat Assemblywoman Shea Backus (D-Las Vegas), who represents Assembly District 37. Backus won her seat by about 2.6 percentage points in 2022 in a district that has a fairly even distribution of Democrats, Republicans and nonpartisan voters. 

Last year, Brog finished second in the Republican primary for Congressional District 1.