senate
Why it matters
The 21-member Nevada Senate is the upper chamber of the Nevada Legislature, and it must sign off on any legislation for it to reach the governor’s desk. Legislation, which can change laws around a host of issues that touch everyday lives, including school funding, water regulation, health insurance requirements, punishments for crime and abortion rules, typically requires approval from a majority of senators. The exception is when it would raise additional revenue, in which case it needs support from two-thirds of senators. The party in control of the Senate also chairs all committees — where bills are heard and changed — and has the authority to determine which bills get a hearing in the first place. This gives the party in power considerable sway over which bills stand a chance of becoming law. Democrats currently hold 13 of the chamber’s 21 seats.
Why you should care
This year, 11 of the Senate’s 21 seats are on the ballot, seven held by Democrats and four by Republicans. The balance of power comes down to whether Republicans can flip three seats to gain a majority, or Democrats can flip one seat (while keeping their own) to secure a two-thirds majority, which would also allow them to easily override the governor's vetoes. However, both will be a tall order. All of the GOP-held seats are in very red areas of the state. The three swingiest seats are all held by Democrats, but flipping all three in one year would be difficult for Republicans. Two seats are already guaranteed to Democrats and one to Republicans, as no members of the other party are running in those races.
Senate
State Senate, District 2

Edgar Flores
IncumbentAn immigration attorney and the son of immigrants from Mexico, Flores is running for his second term in the Senate after serving four terms in the Assembly.
Endorsements
- AFL-CIO
- Culinary
- Nevada State Education Association
- AFSCME
- Teamsters
Recommended Reading
Indy State Senate District 2 Democratic primary race previewState Senate, District 8

Marilyn Dondero Loop
IncumbentA retired educator in the Clark County School District who spent more than 30 years teaching in the district, Dondero Loop served three terms in the Assembly from 2008 to 2014. She is seeking re-election after serving two terms in the state Senate.
Endorsements
- AFL-CIO
- Clark County Education Association
- Laborers
- Las Vegas Police Protective Association
- Teamsters
Steven Samuel Cohen
Candidate website could not be found.
George Harris
Harris is the former chair of the Clark County Republican Party and is the publisher of the conservative magazine Liberty Watch. He is also a U.S. Army veteran.
Jamie Miller
Candidate website could not be found.
Robert Morris
Candidate website could not be found.
State Senate, District 9

Melanie Scheible
IncumbentA former Clark County deputy district attorney, Scheible has held her seat since 2018. She is currently a defense attorney in Las Vegas.
Endorsements
- AFL-CIO
- Culinary
- Las Vegas Police Protective Association
- Nevada State Education Association
- AFSCME

Maria Thompson
Thompson is a former Las Vegas broadcast journalist and current attorney. She is endorsed by Gov. Joe Lombardo.
Endorsements
- Gov. Joe Lombardo
- Laborers
State Senate, District 10

Fabian Doñate
IncumbentA health care consultant, Doñate was appointed to the Senate in 2021 before winning re-election in 2022.
Endorsements
- AFL-CIO
- Culinary
- Laborers
- Nevada State Education Association
- AFSCME
State Senate, District 12

Julie Pazina
IncumbentPazina was first elected to the seat in 2022. She’s the national director of sales for Edlen Electrical Exhibition Services and is a past president of the Las Vegas Hospitality Association.
Endorsements
- AFL-CIO
- Clark County Education Association
- Culinary
- Laborers
- AFSCME

Rafael Arroyo
Arroyo is the founder of Smog Plus, a company that does emissions testing and repairs. He narrowly lost a bid for Assembly in 2024 and is endorsed by Gov. Joe Lombardo.
Endorsements
- Gov. Joe Lombardo
State Senate, District 13

Richard "Skip" Daly
IncumbentDaly is a retired construction worker and a former business manager for Laborers’ Local 169. He served in the state Assembly from 2010 to 2014 and again from 2016 to 2020. He was elected to the Senate in 2022 and is seeking re-election with the endorsement of the Senate Democratic Caucus.
Endorsements
- AFL-CIO
- Nevada State Education Association
- AFSCME
- Teamsters
Matthew Buehler
Buehler is a U.S. Air Force veteran who previously challenged Daly for this seat in 2022. He also ran for State Board of Education in 2024 and Washoe County treasurer in 2018, losing both races. He serves on the wastewater and sewage board for Northern Nevada Public Health.
Charlene Young
Candidate website could not be found.
State Senate, District 14

Ira Hansen
IncumbentA plumbing contractor and business co-owner, Hansen was elected to the Senate in 2018 and previously served four terms in the Assembly. He is seeking re-election and is endorsed by the Senate Republican Caucus.
State Senate, District 16

Lisa Krasner
IncumbentAn instructor about the U.S. Constitution at Truckee Meadows Community College and former faculty member at the University of Phoenix, Krasner is vying for her second term in the Senate after a three-term stint in the Assembly.
Endorsements
- AFL-CIO
- Carson City Republican Party
- Gov. Joe Lombardo
- Senate Republican Caucus
- National Rifle Association
- Right to Life
- Washoe County Republican Party
Recommended Reading
Reno Gazette Journal Senate District 16 race preview
Chrystal Roll
Roll is a social worker who has lived in Northern Nevada for more than 20 years. She is also vice chair of the LGBTQIA+ Caucus for the Nevada Democratic Party.
Endorsements
- Progressive Leadership Alliance of Nevada
- AFSCME
- Teamsters
Recommended Reading
This Is Reno Q&A with RollState Senate, District 17

Robin Titus
IncumbentElected to the Senate in 2022 after serving in the Assembly, Titus is a physician in Lyon County and treasurer of the Smith Valley Historical Society. She is also the Senate minority leader.
Lynne Ballatore
Candidate website could not be found.
State Senate, District 20

Danielle Gallant
Gallant has served in the Assembly since 2022. She is also the co-owner of Gallant Construction and a broker and partner of a realty investment and property management company. She is endorsed by Gov. Joe Lombardo.
Endorsements
- Clark County Education Association
- Gov. Joe Lombardo
- Laborers
- Las Vegas Police Protective Association
Calvin Sandoval
Candidate website could not be found.
Endorsements
- AFL-CIO
State Senate, District 21

James Ohrenschall
IncumbentA deputy public defender for the Clark County Juvenile Court, Ohrenschall previously served six terms in the Assembly and has held his Senate seat since 2018.
Endorsements
- AFL-CIO
- Clark County Education Association
- Culinary
- Laborers
- Nevada State Education Association
Recommended Reading
Indy SD21 primary previewAl Rojas
Rojas is a retired electronic engineer who ran for Assembly in the past two election cycles.




























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