NV-4: Swap, Part II

​If the 4th District’s former Congressman Cresent Hardy (R-Mesquite) decides not to seek a re-match with Rep. Ruben Kihuen (D-Las Vegas) and instead runs in the open 3rd District as described above, state Sen. Scott Hammond (R), who filed a campaign committee to run in the 3rd when Rep. Jacky Rosen (D-Henderson) announced she would run for the Senate, may revert to his original 2018 political plan.  Sen. Hammond, who was reportedly planning a challenge to Kihuen before Rosen decided to vacate the 3rd District for her statewide run, may now switch back to the 4th should former Rep. Hardy decides to gravitate to the 3rd. 
 
The complicated political situation could work out well for Republican Party leaders because they could find themselves with credible candidates in both Districts 3 and 4 when the political dust settles.   Ex-Rep. Hardy would arguably stand a better chance of winning the District 3 general election, and much more of state Sen. Hammond’s political base resides in District 4 than in the Third.
 
Once again, Nevada is appearing to be a critical electoral state come 2018, just as it has been during the past few election years.