(left-right: Kelly Chapman, Brandon David, Erica Neely)
On Wednesday, Nevada Republican Gov. Joe Lombardo announced a number of new endorsements in state legislative races as he ramps up efforts to deny Democrats super-majorities in both houses of the Legislature.
The governor has added three additional endorsements of Republican candidates challenging Democrat incumbents in the State Assembly: Kelly Chapman (District 8-Clark), Erica Neely (District 9-Clark), and Brandon Davis (District 34-Clark).
In making the announcements, the governor issued these statements of support…
- “Kelly Chapman is a passionate advocate for victims of crime and empowering women to protect themselves and their children in abusive relationships. Kelly will stand with me to make our community and schools safer, end the culture of corruption in Carson City, and make housing more affordable.”
- “Erica Neely is a tireless worker committed to bringing important ethics reform and transparency to Carson City. Erica will work with me to make our community safer, our housing more affordable, and our schools better. I hope you join me in supporting Erica Neely for State Assembly.”
- “Brandon Davis is a small business owner committed to an economy that works for all Nevadans. He is committed to working with me to make our community safer, housing more affordable, and bring transparency and ethics reform to the state legislature. Please join me in supporting Brandon Davis for State Assembly.”
“These are three strong candidates who have put together excellent campaigns in districts where the registration numbers have narrowed,” said Assembly Assistant Minority Leader Danielle Gallant. “They could surprise a lot of people, and I would love to serve with all three of them next year in Carson City.”
In addition, the governor endorsed two candidates for State Senate seats.
Mike Ginsburg is running for Senate District 15 in Washoe County, and Jill Douglass is running against Democrat Senate Majority Leader Nicole Cannizzaro for Senate District 6 in Clark County.
“I want to extend gratitude to our Governor for his leadership in supporting strong candidates to keep the legislature out of the super minority,” Republican Senate Minority Leader Robin Titus said in a statement.
The new endorsements supplement those previously announced before last June’s primary…
- April Arndt (Assembly District 21-Clark)
- Lisa Cole (Assembly District 4-Clark)
- Annette Dawson Owens (District 29-Clark)
- Rafael Arroyo (Assembly District 41-Clark)
- David Brog (Assembly District 37-Clark)
- Diana Sande (Assembly District 25-Washoe)
- Rebecca Edgeworth (Assembly District 35-Clark)
- Lori Rogich (Senate District 11-Clark)
- John Ellison (Senate District 19-Rurals)
- John Steinbeck (Senate District 18-Clark)
The governor has also endorsed all the incumbent Republican legislators who are running for re-election.
Republicans can’t afford to lose a net seat in the Senate, or they’ll end up in a super-minority.
Ginsburg is facing an uphill climb, due to redistricting, to hold District 15. And incumbent GOP Sen. Carrie Buck is seen as vulnerable in District 5 in Clark County.
So it’s critical for Rogich and Douglass to flip their seats from blue to red.
Republicans in the Assembly are already in a super-minority, 28-14. The only GOP seat considered competitive is District 4. But Cole is an exceptional candidate who should be able to hold it.
And if lightning strikes, the other nine Republicans endorsed by Lombardo could run the table and all win – giving Republicans a 23-19 majority – which would send shock waves throughout the political universe in Nevada.
It’s more likely for Assembly Republicans to get out of their super-minority than for the Senate Republicans to stay out of the super-minority. So that’s where my main focus is going to be for the rest of this campaign season.
The governor’s earlier endorsed candidates have a jump on the new ones in the fundraising department. So if you have some loose change lying around in your sofa cushions, a small investment – $5, $10, $25, $50 – in Chapman, Neely, and Davis could make a big difference.
For once, Republicans, let’s not blow this opportunity!
FAMOUS LAST WORDS
“Every single American citizen should be angry at what Kamala Harris has done to this country. And if you’re not, you are a part of the problem.” – @AmericaPapaBear
Mr. Muth is president of Citizen Outreach, publisher of Nevada News & Views, and founder of CampaignDoctor.com. You can sign up for his conservative, Nevada-focused e-newsletter at MuthsTruths.com. His views are his own.
