Nevada on the brink of sending four Democrats to Congress

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(The Center Square) - Nevada elected three Democrats to the U.S. House with one typically deep-red seat yet to be decided but leaning toward the Democratic candidate.

The Silver State also approved two constitutional amendments on voter ID and abortion rights, and voters on Tuesday expanded Democratic control of the state Assembly and Senate.

Nevadans passed Question 6, which asked voters to enshrine abortion rights into the state constitution. The proposition received 601,533 votes of approval, or 63.33% of the electorate as of Wednesday. Abortion was already legal in Nevada up to 24 weeks after pregnancy, with health-related exceptions.

Proponents said the move would protect against further encroachments on abortion rights after the U.S. Supreme Court’s 2022 decision to overturn Roe v. Wade. Opponents said the constitutional amendment’s language deceptively left open the possibility for later abortions than current law stated. This was Nevadan’s second vote on Question 6, as is required for Nevada's constitutional amendments, following a 64.4% approval in 2024.

“Nevadans should not have to wonder whether their freedom will disappear with the next election,” said Denise Lopez, director of Nevada campaigns for Reproductive Freedom for All, a pro-choice organization.

“Anti-abortion politicians are once again ignoring decades of evidence to push abortion out of reach, but by voting YES on question 6 this November, we can put the strongest possible state protections for abortion into our constitution," Lopez said ahead of Tuesday's election.

Nevadans also said "yes" to Question 7, which asked voters to add voter ID requirements to the state Constitution. The proposition received 595,823 votes, or 62.29% of the electorate, as of Wednesday. Under the new law, voters will be required to present photo ID at polling stations, or the last four digits of either their driver’s license or Social Security number when voting by mail.

Proponents said the move was a commonsense solution to make voter fraud more difficult amid widespread accusations of fraud in Nevada and across the country. Opponents said the requirement would disenfranchise minority groups, including women or transgender people who change their names, and lower-income citizens who can't afford IDs. They also highlighted Nevada’s track record as one of the safest states for elections.

“Dozens of states across the country use voter ID laws to secure their elections, and most Nevadans from all walks of life support passing one in our state,” Republican Gov. Joe Lombardo’s campaign website read ahead of the election. “Governor Lombardo supports a voter ID law that will protect Nevada’s elections from potential improprieties.”

In the state’s congressional races, Nevadans sent three Democrats and zero Republicans to Congress as of Wednesday afternoon. Of the state’s four districts, the largely rural 2nd District remained too close to call, but the Democratic candidate was leading and had declared victory Wednesday.

In the 1st Congressional District, which contains part of the Las Vegas area, including the Strip, Democratic incumbent Dina Titus easily fended off state Sen. Carrie Buck, R-Henderson, to win her eighth election in the seat. Titus won with 127,098 votes or 59.01% of the electorate to 81,873 or 38.01%.

In the 2nd District that makes up Reno and rural Northern Nevada, the race remained too close to call Wednesday afternoon. Democrat Theresa Benitez-Thompson led with 144,014 votes and 50.75% of the electorate over Reno Republican David Flippo, who received 125,031 or 44.06%. The typically deep-red seat was left open following the retirement of U.S. Rep. Mark Amodei, R-Carson City. Voters in the district, which was created in 1980, have never elected a Democrat to the U.S. House.

“I am honored that Northern Nevadans have placed their trust in me to represent our home in Congress,” read a statement by Benitez-Thompson declaring victory. “Our region faces unique challenges that only someone with deep local roots and genuine commitment to our communities can tackle. In Congress, I will fight every single day to protect our wallets, our water, and our way of life.”

In the 3rd Congressional District, which includes parts of Las Vegas, Democratic incumbent Susie Lee held off Republican challenger Marty O’Donnell with 146,863 votes and 59.14% of the electorate to 95,845 votes and 38.6%. 

In the state’s 4th District, which encompasses most of rural Southern Nevada, U.S. Rep. Steven Horsford, D-Las Vegas, easily held on to his seat despite Republican challenger Cody Whipple. Horsford had 134,980 votes and 60.5% of the electorate to 84,017 and 37.66%.

The state’s legislative branch remained in Democratic control, with the potential for a veto-proof Democratic supermajority in the Assembly.

All 42 seats in the State Assembly were up for election. Democratic candidates had already won in 28 races to Republicans’ five, with nine seats still too early to call.

The 21-member Senate had 11 seats up for election, with Democrats winning seven and Republicans, four. Democrats now occupy 13 seats to the Republican Party’s eight.