NRCC MEMO: NEVADA PRIMARY RESULTS
TO: INTERESTED PARTIES
FROM: NRCC POLITICAL AND NRCC COMMUNICATIONS
DATE: JUNE 8, 2010
SUBJECT: NEVADA PRIMARY RESULTS
Though Nevada has earned a reputation as an emerging swing state, its elected Democrat leaders have done little to break away from the party line in Washington. The reckless spending policies supported by Washington Democrats have done little to turn around an economy that is experiencing some of the highest rates of both home foreclosures and unemployment in the country. Nevadans are eager to send many of their elected leaders packing, and Dina Titus is high on that list. This November, Republicans have a prime opportunity to put Nevada’s Third Congressional District back in the Republican column.
Challengers:
NV-03 (Rep. Dina Titus, D)
It didn’t take long for Freshman Democrat Dina Titus to sell out southern Nevada and declare her loyalty to her party leaders in Washington. She has racked up a nearly-perfect partisan voting record, siding with Nancy Pelosi 97.2 percent of the time. Titus has turned her back on her constituents to vote for the failed ‘stimulus,’ costly cap-and-trade legislation, and the government takeover of healthcare – a bill that the majority of her constituents opposed. In 2008, Titus won this swing district with only 48 percent and underperformed the Obama wave by seven points. Unfortunately for Titus, these are strong signals that she was dragged over the finish line by President Obama’s coattails, making her re-election prospects much dimmer. Titus’ complete disregard for Nevada families, her loyal record of voting with Washington Democrats, and an increasingly toxic political environment will assure that Nevada’s Third Congressional District is a top target for Republicans this November.
Dr. Joe Heck, a Contender in the NRCC’s Young Guns program, has passionately served the people of Nevada as a physician, Army reservist and community volunteer. Heck served in the Nevada Senate from 2004 through 2008 where he utilized his experiences in education, healthcare and national security to serve Nevada families. As a small business owner in the medical industry, Heck understands firsthand what it takes to create jobs and treat Nevada’s ailing healthcare system. Heck’s campaign continues to gain momentum as he receives endorsements from influential Republican figures such as Gov. Mitt Romney and Gov. Tim Pawlenty. Heck’s strong primary win tonight proves that the hardworking families of southern Nevada are looking for “A New Direction.”
History. The Third District tends to be a swing district in presidential elections: George W. Bush won with 50% of the vote in 2004 and Barack Obama carried the district with 55% of the vote in 2008. The district has a Cook Partisan Voting Index rating of D+2 and is rated by Rothenberg Political Report as “Toss Up.”
Geography. The Third Congressional District covers the southern-most tip of Nevada, along the Arizona and California border. The district includes the suburbs of Las Vegas.
Election Results:
The following are the unofficial results from Tuesday’s primary election in Nevada. These results are UNOFFICIAL AND INCOMPLETE until certified by the Nevada Secretary of State.
*Denotes winner
NV-03 (REPUBLICAN PRIMARY)
0.2% Precincts Reporting
Joe Heck* 20,066 70.5%
Steve Nohrden 4,235 14.9%
Ed Bridges 3,226 11.3%
Brad Leutwyler 946 3.3%