Nevada: A Challenger Emerges

It is clear that Sen. Dean Heller (R), by virtue of Nevada being a political swing state and because of his scant 46-45% victory margin in 2012 is the Democrats’ top conversion target for the coming election, but no one has yet stepped forward to announce a challenge.  But, the wait for a viable contender is almost over.  Freshman US Rep. Jacky Rosen (D-Henderson) reportedly will now announce her Senate candidacy next week.
 
While the Rosen entry gives the Democrats a credible challenger, her first experience as a political office seeker drew mixed reviews.  Winning a marginal Las Vegas area district, even one where President Trump scored a 48-47% victory over Hillary Clinton, the new Congresswoman’s 47-46% victory margin opposite perennial Republican candidate Danny Tarkanian was not particularly inspiring.  The $1.7 million she spent is about average for a targeted open seat, but under what was expected for a major toss-up campaign.  Her 3rd District was vacated in the 2016 election because Republican incumbent Joe Heck (R-Henderson) ran unsuccessfully for the Senate. 
 
The development sets the stage not only for a top tier Senate campaign, but also a highly competitive open 3rd Congressional District, a seat the Democrats will risk losing.