What we're watching ahead of Nevada's primary election

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In today's edition: The one link you need to follow the results. Plus: The races we'll be focused on tonight — and beyond. 

Welcome to primary day. If you're looking for results as soon as they come in, head over to our live blog, which will be your go-to source when we start to determine winners. We'll be working late into the night to track all the developments as they roll in and throughout the rest of the week to give you an insider understanding of what happened. Read on for details about what to expect and reach out with any questions.

We want to hear from you! Email your newsletter editor Mini Racker at [email protected]. 

What we're watching tonight and beyond

D.C. Correspondent Mini Racker: I haven't seen anything to suggest upsets for the incumbents in Southern Nevada's three congressional seats, while the money race and President Donald Trump's endorsement are likely to decide the GOP primaries in favor of video game composer Marty O'Donnell in the 3rd Congressional District and state Sen. Carrie Buck (R-Henderson) in the 1st Congressional District. I'll be watching the GOP primary in the 4th Congressional District, but the open seat in the 2nd is where the primary action is. 

On the Democratic side, we'll see if the more than $1 million wealthy investor Greg Kidd poured into the race defeats former Assembly Majority Leader Teresa Benitez-Thompson's (D-Reno) long record. 

In what has become a GOP civil war, we'll see if Trump's endorsement, a ton of money, and nationalized right-wing messaging clinches a win for retired Lt. Col. David Flippo over former state Sen. James Settelmeyer (R-Minden) and his conservative record, Northern Nevada roots and support from Gov. Joe Lombardo (R) and Rep. Mark Amodei (R-NV). Whatever happens, look out for a behind-the-scenes post-mortem later this week.

Capital Bureau Chief Tabitha Mueller: With no significant challenger, Lombardo will assuredly sail into the general election after tomorrow's primary. On the Democratic side, underdog Washoe County Commissioner Alexis Hill faces long odds against the establishment favorite, Attorney General Aaron Ford —  but a strong showing by Hill could be an early warning sign for the much better-funded Ford.

What I'll be watching most closely, though, is the highly competitive Democratic attorney general race between Treasurer Zach Conine and Senate Majority Leader Nicole Cannizzaro (D-Las Vegas).

Afterward, the broader questions I'll be looking into are the success of establishment-backed candidates such as Ford, whether candidates endorsed by Lombardo move forward and how legislative candidates running for re-election fared against challengers. 

Politics and Data Reporter Eric Neugeboren: I'm monitoring the power of Lombardo's political machine in the Republican primaries for attorney general and secretary of state. Lawyer Adriana Guzmán Fralick (R) was encouraged by Lombardo's team to run for attorney general and most recently nabbed Trump's endorsement, while the outcome of Shirley Folkins-Roberts' (R) candidacy for secretary of state will give a clue about the degree of change Republicans want to see in elections. 

I'll also be watching the race for Reno's first open mayoral seat in a dozen years, and how Washoe County District Attorney Chris Hicks (R) fares in his first-ever electoral challenge. The winner of the district attorney race — either Hicks or Sparks City Attorney Wes Duncan (R) — will automatically win the general election because no Democrats are running. 

Reporter Isabella Aldrete: I've been closely monitoring the competitive primaries on both sides of the open treasurer's race. On the Democratic side, one-term Assm. Joe Dalia (D-Henderson)is facing Tya Mathis-Coleman, a current staffer in the treasurer's office, in a race that has divided Democratic leadership.On the Republican side,policy analyst Drew Johnson is pitted against longtime financial executive Jeff Carter. 

I'm also interested in the Assembly District 9 Democratic primary between recovery advocate Ryan Hampton and union organizer Maria Teresa Hank in the race to replace Speaker Steve Yeager (D-Las Vegas). Lastly, I'm also keeping an eye on union-backed efforts to oust legislators who voted against a proposal to expand Nevada's film tax program last year. In Senate District 2, incumbent Edgar Flores (D) is facing a challenge from North Las Vegas City Councilman Isaac Barron (D). Lou DeSalvio (D), president of Laborers Local 872, is a front-runner in the race to replace Assm. Daniele Monroe-Moreno (D-North Las Vegas), chair of the state Democratic Party, in Assembly District 1.  

Reporter Kate Reynolds: I'm also focused on Nevada unions' bids to unseat lawmakers they deem insufficiently loyal. Progressive Assms. Howard Watts (D-Las Vegas) and Jovan Jackson (D-Las Vegas) voted against the proposal to expand film tax credits; Watts is facing urban planner Miguel Dávila in Assembly District 15 and Jackson is facing carpenter Douglas Candido in Assembly District 6. 

The issue has also come up in open races this year, including in Assembly Districts 29 and 41, where trade unions have endorsed or donated to candidates such as Teamsters lawyer Bradley Combs (D) and physical therapist Ashley Delobel (D) in AD 29 and banking professional Gabriela Wyett (D) and bartender Spencer Ridenour (D) in AD 41. The performances of these candidates could signal how much sway Nevada's unions hold in Democratic politics.

I'll also be watching how progressive candidates compete as moderate and liberal Democrats jockey for power in the party. Two members of the Democratic Socialists of America are running against sitting lawmakers: Shaun Navarro against Assm. Hanadi Nadeem (D-Las Vegas) in Assembly District 34 and Val Thomason against Assm. Venise Karris (D-Las Vegas) in Assembly District 10. 

Both challengers face long odds, but I'm curious what an overperformance in those races — and in other races where there are progressive candidates running against union- or establishment-affiliated Democrats — shows about Democratic primary voters' ideological leanings. 

Southern Nevada Reporter Oona Milliken: Everyone is watching the Clark County District F Republican primary race between Albert Mack and Assm. Heidi Kasama (R-Las Vegas). It's a fight that's been characterized by mudslinging and personal attacks. Democrats have a primary as well for the open seat between non-profit executive Minddie Lloyd, attorney Lenna Hovanessian and five other candidates battling each other. Las Vegas is a largely blue city, and outgoing District F Commissioner Justin Jones is a Democrat. Jones only won his seat by around 300 votes in 2022 against Republican Drew Johnson — if either Kasama or Mack win in November it would be a big win for the GOP and would add a second Republican to the commission. 

I'll also be keeping an eye on the contest for mayor of North Las Vegas, where the local meets the national in the race between Monroe-Moreno and Councilmember Scott Black. Black is a city guy, with a lot of law enforcement connections and the support of the current  mayor. Monroe-Moreno is a lawmaker and chair of the state Democratic Party with support from statewide leaders, and even the endorsement of former Vice President Kamala Harris. We'll see what profile resonates more with voters. 

Henderson is always interesting, so I'll be looking out for what will happen to Councilmember Carrie Cox's contested Ward 3 seat. One of her opponents is education activist Annette Dawson Owens, who's been endorsed by the Henderson mayor and the rest of city council. The race is important because of Cox's tumultuous — to say the least — time on the city council; her tenure has been characterized by public fights, insults and even a felony charge. 

What we're reading and writing

Would your taxes drop if Washoe County Commissioner Alexis Hill (D) became governor?

We fact-check the attacks in today's most closely watched Democratic primary. 

Can a state lawmaker ever be conservative enough for the GOP electorate of 2026?

Nevada Democrats are trying to reverse GOP gains among Latino voters.

Sen. Catherine Cortez Masto (D-NV) wants voters to know abortion is still a top issue.

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