WASHINGTON_Republicans are largely on defense this election cycle, but they're targeting two open seats in Nevada, where voters selected their general election candidates Tuesday night.
Democrats Susie Lee and former Rep. Steven Horsford won their primaries in the 3rd and 4th districts, respectively, while the races on the GOP side had not yet been called.
The GOP is eyeing both districts, where the Democratic incumbents won by slim margins in 2016 despite a good year for the party in the Silver State. Democrats are confident of holding both seats because of strong candidates, increased party energy and competitive races at the top of the ticket.
The National Republican Congressional Committee signaled at the end of April that it would be willing to spend in the races, with its independent expenditure arm reserving $3.6 million in the Las Vegas media market. The Congressional Leadership Fund, a super PAC aligned with House GOP leadership, has not reserved time in that market.
The Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee has not yet reserved time in the Las Vegas area. But House Majority PAC, a super PAC tied to Democratic leadership, has reserved $2.8 million there. Those reservations are all subject to change as the races progress.
The open 3rd District race is one of a dozen House seats held by a Democrat that backed President Donald Trump two years ago. Perennial candidate Danny Tarkanian, the 2016 nominee, was expected to win the GOP nod Tuesday night, but votes were still being counted.
Lee outpaced six other candidates to win her primary Tuesday. With 43 percent of precincts reporting, she had 68 percent of the vote when The Associated Press called the race for the seat Democrat Jacky Rosen is vacating to run for Senate.
A philanthropist and education advocate, Lee had $856,000 on hand as of the pre-primary reporting period, according to Federal Election Commission documents.
She has been endorsed by former Vice President Joseph R. Biden Jr. and was added to the Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee's Red to Blue program for strong challengers.
Inside Elections rates the general election Tilts Democratic.
Horsford will once again be running in the 4th District, in what could be a 2014 rematch against former GOP Rep. Cresent Hardy.
With 33 percent of precincts reporting, Horsford, who had to spend to overcome a crowded six-way field, was leading with 64 percent when the AP called the race. Hardy was ahead on the GOP side, but the AP has not yet made a call.
Horsford won the newly created 4th District in 2012 after Nevada gained a seat in redistricting. Hardy unseated him two years later before he in turn lost to Democrat Ruben Kihuen in 2016. The incumbent is not running for re-election following allegations of sexual harassment.
Hillary Clinton carried the 4th by 5 points in 2016, while Kihuen won by a similar margin. That represented a drop from 2012, when the district backed President Barack Obama by 10 points and Horsford by 8 points.
Inside Elections with Nathan L. Gonzales rates the 4th District race Likely Democratic.
Most of the primary action was on the House side as the hotly contested Senate race matchup was essentially set.
Rosen and Heller both easily won their respective primaries, setting up a hotly contested general election race that represents one of the Democrats' few pickup opportunities of the cycle.
With 33 percent of precincts reporting, Rosen had 80 percent of the vote in the Democratic primary, according to the AP. Heller had 71 percent in his GOP primary. Inside Elections rates the Senate race a Toss-up.
