Nevada's 4th Congressional District election, 2018

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Nevada's 4th Congressional District
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Democratic primary
Republican primary
General election
Election details
Filing deadline: March 16, 2018
Primary: June 12, 2018
General: November 6, 2018
Pre-election incumbent:
Ruben Kihuen (Democrat)
How to vote
Poll times: 7 a.m. to 7 p.m.
Voting in Nevada
Race ratings
Cook Partisan Voter Index (2018): D+3
Cook Political Report: Lean Democratic
Inside Elections: Lean Democratic
Sabato's Crystal Ball: Lean Democratic
Ballotpedia analysis
U.S. Senate battlegrounds
U.S. House battlegrounds
Federal and state primary competitiveness
Ballotpedia's Election Analysis Hub, 2018
See also
Nevada's 4th Congressional District
U.S. Senate • 1st • 2nd • 3rd • 4th
Nevada elections, 2018
U.S. Congress elections, 2018
U.S. Senate elections, 2018
U.S. House elections, 2018

Steven Horsford (D) defeated Cresent Hardy (R) and four other candidates in the 2018 general election for Nevada's 4th Congressional District.

All 435 seats in the U.S. House of Representatives were up for election in 2018. The Democratic Party gained a net total of 40 seats, winning control of the chamber. This race was identified as a 2018 battleground that might have affected partisan control of the U.S. House in the 116th Congress. Heading into the election, the Republican Party was in the majority holding 235 seats to Democrats' 193 seats, with seven vacant seats. Democrats needed to win 23 GOP-held seats in 2018 to win control of the House. From 1918 to 2016, the president’s party lost an average of 29 seats in midterm elections.

Incumbent Ruben Kihuen (D) announced that he would not seek re-election on December 16, 2017, following reports that he had solicited sexual favors from a female staffer.[1] The 4th Congressional District was created after the 2010 census, and it was first up for election in 2012. It has changed hands in every election since, with Cresent Hardy (R) defeating incumbent Steven Horsford (D) in the 2014 election and Kihuen defeating Hardy in 2016.

Third party, independent, and write-in candidates included Independent American nominee Warren Markowitz, Libertarian nominee Gregg Luckner, and independent candidates Dean McGonigle and Rodney Smith.

Democratic Party For more information about the Democratic primary, click here.
Republican Party For more information about the Republican primary, click here.

Candidates and election results

General election

General election for U.S. House Nevada District 4

The following candidates ran in the general election for U.S. House Nevada District 4 on November 6, 2018.

Candidate
%
Votes
✔
Image of Steven Horsford
Steven Horsford (D)
 
51.9
 
121,962
Image of Cresent Hardy
Cresent Hardy (R)
 
43.7
 
102,748
Silhouette Placeholder Image.png
Submit photo
Warren Markowitz (Independent American Party)
 
1.4
 
3,180
Image of Rodney Smith
Rodney Smith (Independent)
 
1.2
 
2,733
Image of Gregg Luckner
Gregg Luckner (L)
 
0.9
 
2,213
Image of Dean McGonigle
Dean McGonigle (Independent)
 
0.9
 
2,032

There were no incumbents in this race. The results have been certified. Source

Total votes: 234,868
(100.00% precincts reporting)
Candidate Connection = candidate completed the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection survey.
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Democratic primary election

Democratic primary for U.S. House Nevada District 4

The following candidates ran in the Democratic primary for U.S. House Nevada District 4 on June 12, 2018.

Candidate
%
Votes
✔
Image of Steven Horsford
Steven Horsford
 
61.7
 
22,730
Image of Patricia Spearman
Patricia Spearman Candidate Connection
 
15.2
 
5,613
Image of Amy Vilela
Amy Vilela
 
9.2
 
3,388
Silhouette Placeholder Image.png
Submit photo
Allison Stephens Candidate Connection
 
6.0
 
2,216
Image of John Anzalone
John Anzalone
 
5.8
 
2,134
Image of Sid Zeller
Sid Zeller
 
2.0
 
736

There were no incumbents in this race. The results have been certified.

Total votes: 36,817
Candidate Connection = candidate completed the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection survey.
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Republican primary election

Republican primary for U.S. House Nevada District 4

The following candidates ran in the Republican primary for U.S. House Nevada District 4 on June 12, 2018.

Candidate
%
Votes
✔
Image of Cresent Hardy
Cresent Hardy
 
47.4
 
15,257
Image of David Gibbs
David Gibbs
 
19.0
 
6,102
Image of Bill Townsend
Bill Townsend Candidate Connection
 
11.4
 
3,659
Image of Kenneth Wegner
Kenneth Wegner
 
11.3
 
3,626
Image of Jeff Miller
Jeff Miller
 
8.0
 
2,563
Image of Mike Monroe
Mike Monroe
 
3.0
 
973

There were no incumbents in this race. The results have been certified.

Total votes: 32,180
Candidate Connection = candidate completed the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection survey.
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Independent primary election

No Independent candidates ran in the primary.

Withdrawn or disqualified candidates

Candidate profiles

See also: Editorial approach to writing about key campaign messages


Cresent Hardy, former U.S. representative
Cresent Hardy.jpg

Campaign website Facebook Twitter

Party: Republican

Incumbent: No

Political office: U.S. House of Representatives (2015-2017), Nevada State Assembly (2011-2015), Mesquite City Council (1997-2002)

Biography: After attending Dixie State College, Hardy served in a variety of roles, including as Mesquite Public Works Director, before his election to the city council in 1997. After he unseated Horsford in the 2014 House election, Hardy was unseated in 2016 by Ruben Kihuen.

Key messages
  • Hardy described himself as "the right man for the job," saying that "no one is better prepared than Cresent to go to Washington to fight for Nevada, to fight for lower taxes, an economic environment that will create good jobs, and for our families."[2]
  • Hardy said that his experience as a business owner informed his economic policy, stating his support for lower tax rates and fewer regulations.[2]
  • Hardy said that he had an extensive record of public service, saying that he emphasized constituent services during his previous term in Congress and pointing to his involvement in volunteer work.[2]



Steven Horsford, former U.S. representative
Steven Horsford.jpg

Campaign website Facebook Twitter

Party: Democratic

Incumbent: No

Political office: U.S. House of Representatives (2013-2015), Nevada State Senate (2004-2012)

Biography: After graduating from high school in 1992, Horsford enrolled in the University of Nevada-Reno, where he studied political science. Horsford left the university after the 1994 elections, in which he interned for Gov. Bob Miller's re-election (he later returned and obtained his degree in 2015). He went on to lead a nonprofit institute which trains students for hospitality careers.

Key messages
  • Horsford said that he was running to counter President Trump and the Republican members of the U.S. House, whose healthcare and tax policies Horsford had criticized.[3]
  • Horsford said that he was an experienced legislator, pointing to his previous term in Congress and his time in the state Senate and describing himself as "a proven champion for Nevada’s working families."[3]



Polls

See also: Ballotpedia's approach to covering polls
Nevada's 4th Congressional District, 2018
Poll Poll sponsor Steven Horsford (D) Cresent Hardy (R)Gregg Luckner (L)Warren Markowitz (Independent American)Dean McGonigle (I)Rodney Smith (I)Undecided/OtherMargin of ErrorSample Size
Moore Information
(October 3-8, 2018)		The Hardy campaign 37%41%2%2%1%1%17%+/-5.0400
Note: A "0%" finding means the question was not a part of the poll. The polls above may not reflect all polls that have been conducted in this race. Those displayed are a random sampling chosen by Ballotpedia staff. If you would like to nominate another poll for inclusion in the table, send an email to editor@ballotpedia.org


Campaign finance

The chart below contains data from financial reports submitted to the Federal Election Commission.

Name Party Receipts* Disbursements** Cash on hand Date
Steven Horsford Democratic Party $2,283,287 $2,255,315 $27,972 As of December 31, 2018
Cresent Hardy Republican Party $903,033 $889,840 $13,193 As of December 31, 2018
Warren Markowitz Independent American Party $0 $0 $0 Data not available***
Gregg Luckner Libertarian Party $0 $0 $0 Data not available***
Dean McGonigle Independent $0 $0 $0 Data not available***
Rodney Smith Independent $0 $0 $0 Data not available***

Source: Federal Elections Commission, "Campaign finance data," 2018. This product uses the openFEC API but is not endorsed or certified by the Federal Election Commission (FEC).

* According to the FEC, "Receipts are anything of value (money, goods, services or property) received by a political committee."
** According to the FEC, a disbursement "is a purchase, payment, distribution, loan, advance, deposit or gift of money or anything of value to influence a federal election," plus other kinds of payments not made to influence a federal election.
*** Candidate either did not report any receipts or disbursements to the FEC, or Ballotpedia did not find an FEC candidate ID.


Satellite spending

Satellite spending, commonly referred to as outside spending, describes political spending not controlled by candidates or their campaigns; that is, any political expenditures made by groups or individuals that are not directly affiliated with a candidate. This includes spending by political party committees, super PACs, trade associations, and 501(c)(4) nonprofit groups.[4][5][6]

This section lists satellite spending in this race reported by news outlets in alphabetical order. If you are aware of spending that should be included, please email us.

  • Independence USA PAC
    • The group launched a $2.66 million television ad buy opposing Hardy and supporting Horsford on October 26, 2018.[7]
    • The group reported spending $148,092 on internet ads opposing Hardy and supporting Horsford on September 26, 2018.[8]
  • The National Republican Congressional Committee spent just over $3 million on ads opposing Horsford and supporting Hardy. The group canceled $1.2 million in ad buys on October 18, 2018.[9]


Race ratings

See also: Race rating definitions and methods
Race ratings: Nevada's 4th Congressional District election, 2018
Race trackerRace ratings
October 30, 2018October 23, 2018October 16, 2018October 9, 2018
The Cook Political ReportLean DemocraticLean DemocraticLean DemocraticLikely Democratic
Inside Elections with Nathan L. GonzalesLean DemocraticLean DemocraticLean DemocraticLikely Democratic
Larry J. Sabato's Crystal BallLean DemocraticLean DemocraticLean DemocraticLean Democratic
Note: Ballotpedia updates external race ratings every two weeks throughout the election season.

District analysis

See also: The Cook Political Report's Partisan Voter Index
See also: FiveThirtyEight's elasticity scores

The 2017 Cook Partisan Voter Index for this district was D+3, meaning that in the previous two presidential elections, this district's results were 3 percentage points more Democratic than the national average. This made Nevada's 4th Congressional District the 182nd most Democratic nationally.[10]

FiveThirtyEight's September 2018 elasticity score for states and congressional districts measured "how sensitive it is to changes in the national political environment." This district's elasticity score was 1.22. This means that for every 1 point the national political mood moved toward a party, the district was expected to move 1.22 points toward that party.[11]

Noteworthy endorsements

See also: Ballotpedia: Our approach to covering endorsements

This section lists noteworthy endorsements issued in this election, including those made by high-profile individuals and organizations, cross-party endorsements, and endorsements made by newspaper editorial boards. It also includes a bulleted list of links to official lists of endorsements for any candidates who published that information on their campaign websites. Please note that this list is not exhaustive. If you are aware of endorsements that should be included, please click here.
Click the links below to see endorsement lists published on candidate campaign websites.


Noteworthy general election endorsements
Endorsement Horsford (D) Hardy (R)
Newspapers and editorials
Las Vegas Review-Journal[12] ✔
Elected officials
Former President Barack Obama (D)[13] ✔
Former Vice President Joe Biden (D)[14] ✔


Timeline

  • October 29, 2018: Eric and Lara Trump appeared at an early voting rally in Las Vegas supporting Hardy.
  • October 27, 2018: Vice President Mike Pence (R) made a campaign appearance in Las Vegas supporting Hardy.
  • October 26, 2018: Independence USA PAC launched a $2.66 million ad campaign opposing Hardy and supporting Horsford.
  • October 21, 2018: The Las Vegas Review-Journal endorsed Hardy.
  • October 20, 2018: Former Vice President Joe Biden (D) appeared at a rally in Las Vegas supporting Horsford.
  • October 18, 2018: The National Republican Congressional Committee canceled $1.2 million in ad buys it had reserved in support of Hardy.
  • October 11, 2018: A Moore Information poll commissioned by the Hardy campaign found Hardy about even with Horsford, with 41 percent support to Horsford's 37 percent. The poll reported a margin of error of 5.0 percentage points.
  • September 26, 2018: Independence USA PAC reported spending just under $150,000 on internet ads opposing Hardy and supporting Horsford.
  • September 18, 2018: The National Republican Congressional Committee (NRCC) released an ad opposing Horsford.
  • September 11, 2018: The Nevada Firearms Coalition endorsed Hardy.
  • September 10, 2018: The Horsford campaign released its first television ad.

Campaign advertisements

Republican Party Cresent Hardy

Oppose

"Enough Crooks" - House Majority PAC ad, released October 9, 2018
"Summer" - Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee ad, released September 18, 2018

Democratic Party Steven Horsford

Support

"Character" - Horsford campaign ad, released October 22, 2018
"Being There" - Horsford campaign ad, released October 4, 2018


Oppose

"Millions More" - National Republican Congressional Committee ad, released October 12, 2018
"More" - National Republican Congressional Committee ad, released October 2, 2018
"Low" - National Republican Congressional Committee ad, released September 18, 2018

Noteworthy events

Eric Trump campaign appearance

Eric Trump and his wife Lara made a campaign appearance in Las Vegas in support of Hardy on October 29, 2018.[21]

Mike Pence campaign appearance

Vice President Mike Pence (R) made a campaign appearance in Las Vegas in support of Hardy on October 27, 2018.[22]

Joe Biden campaign appearance

Former Vice President Joe Biden (D) made a campaign appearance in Las Vegas in support of Horsford. Other Democratic candidates Biden mentioned at the rally included gubernatorial candidate Steve Sisolak (D), U.S. Senate candidate Jacky Rosen (D), and 3rd district candidate Susie Lee (D).[23]

NRCC adds Hardy to Young Guns

On June 29, 2018, the National Republican Congressional Committee (NRCC) announced that it was adding Cresent Hardy (R) to its Young Guns list. Although placement on the list was not an endorsement, candidates on the Young Guns list receive organizational and financial support from the committee.[24]

John Lewis hosts Horsford fundraiser

On April 22, 2018, Rep. John Lewis (D-GA) hosted a fundraiser in Las Vegas on behalf of the campaign of former Rep. Steven Horsford (D).[25]

Kihuen announces resignation after sexual harassment allegations

Rep. Ruben Kihuen (D) announced on December 16, 2017, he would not be seeking re-election to Nevada's 4th Congressional District amidst allegations of sexual harassment. "It is in the best interests of my family and my constituents to complete my term in Congress and not seek re-election,” he said in a statement. His announcement came the day after the House Ethics Committee announced it would be starting an investigation into the allegations against him.[26][27]

"I want to state clearly again that I deny the allegations in question. I am committed to fully cooperating with the House Ethics Committee and I look forward to clearing my name," he said."Due process and the presumption of innocence are bedrock legal principles which have guided our nation for centuries, and they should not be lost to unsubstantiated hearsay and innuendo."[26]

Campaign themes

Republican Party Cresent Hardy

Hardy's campaign website stated the following:

“

Jobs & the Economy
Job creation and retention are the key elements to keeping our economy moving forward. Employers will not invest in new businesses or expand existing ones when taxes are high and the federal government is saddling them with the expensive unfunded mandates and burdensome regulations that this administration has worked so hard to get rid of. That’s why, as your Congressman, I will continue to work with state and local officials to make sure we are always fostering an environment that continues to create high quality, high paying jobs. Congress is not directly a job creator. However, the federal government can and should be instrumental in creating a business climate in which employers are willing to invest in business expansion, new business start-ups are encouraged, and invasive regulations are kept to a minimum.

Balancing the Budget & the Size of Government
The Federal Government has got to learn to live within its means. We must immediately balance the overly bloated federal budget, and actively work toward reducing our trade deficit. As a long-time businessman, I have had to keep a sharp eye on the bottom line of my businesses to ensure that employees and vendors are paid on time. The government should operate by this same basic standard. We cannot spend money that we do not have! The periodic raising of the nation’s debt ceiling is not a long-term solution. Government must provide for the essential responsibilities of national defense, maintenance of federal highways, preservation of Social Security, and welfare programs for our most needy citizens. Aside from these core responsibilities, most functions of government are more efficiently handled at the state and local levels.

Education
I believe that decisions regarding the education of our children are best made at the local and state levels, rather than by the Federal Department of Education. Voucher programs and charter schools have shown positive results and should be dramatically expanded.

National Defense
As one of the most fundamental responsibilities of the Federal Government, a strong national defense is critical to the freedom and quality of life of all Americans. Our borders must remain secure, and we must at all times be cognizant of the rising threat from those who wish to do us harm, both foreign and domestic.

We must take great care in determining any necessary intervention in foreign affairs, especially when there is no imminent threat to the United States or American citizens. We can remain a strong, assertive, respected World Leader without being viewed as the “Policeman of the World.”

Healthcare
The Federal Government should not be forcing unfunded mandates such as the Affordable Care Act (ACA) upon the states. This sort of top-down legislation from the Federal Government comes with many unintended consequences, and places tremendous burden upon the businesses and employers that drive our economy. Management of healthcare policy at the state level would help to mitigate fraud and abuse, while ensuring that each state develops programs that best suit the needs of their residents. A one-size-fits-all approach does not work on an issue as complex as healthcare coverage. Reform is needed. However, the ACA is far over-reaching, expensive, and detrimental to our fragile economy.[28]

”
—Cresent Hardy for Congress[29]

Democratic Party Steven Horsford

Horsford's campaign website stated the following:

“

Steven Horsford will cut through the chaos and distractions coming out of Washington to deliver on the issues that matter for all of us. In the State Senate and Congress, he fought to improve health care, fund education, invest in clean energy, and more.

Steven will fight for Nevadans to receive the benefits we have earned and the services we deserve. In Congress, he secured $1.5 million for his constituents. From Social Security or veterans’ benefits, to grants for public safety vehicles, to taking on the big banks to help folks stay in their homes, Steven has a record that shows he can get things done.

Making Health Care and Prescriptions More Accessible and Affordable
Steven believes that health care is a right, not a privilege, and he will fight to make health care accessible and affordable. In 2013, he underwent heart surgery. Steven received the medical attention he needed, but he knows many Nevadans are struggling to afford health care and medications. He will work to improve the Affordable Care Act to ensure that quality health care is available for all of us, and stand up against Republican efforts to strip health care away from thousands of Nevadans. He will also work to make prescription medications more affordable and recently announced an Affordable Prescription Plan to reduce the skyrocketing price of lifesaving medications.

Improving Education in Nevada
Steven will fight to properly fund our schools, from Pre-K through high school and college, so that every student in every school can succeed. As Nevada Senate Majority Leader, he helped ensure the state’s budget shortfall did not result in drastic cuts to our classrooms or hurt our students. Now, we must do more to equip our children with the education and skills they need to compete. Working with parent and community organizations, we must demand that all of our schools receive the resources and quality teachers every child needs to learn. We must also ensure that Betsy DeVos, Secretary for the Department of Education, does not slash funding from critical programs or protections for our children.

Creating Jobs and Entrepreneurship Opportunities
Workforce development is Steven’s passion and he is committed to fighting for working families. He supports raising the minimum wage and protecting retirement plans and pensions. He will always advocate for legislation and programs that help Nevadans get the skills they need to succeed and expand their business ownership opportunities. As the leader of the Culinary Academy and Nevada Partners for more than a decade, he helped thousands of Nevadans prepare for new professions and placed thousands in good-paying jobs. And, in 2014, he started his own small business focused on creating job training opportunities for underserved communities.

Advancing Women's Rights
Steven will fight for women’s rights. He supports equal pay so that women receive the same pay as their male peers for the same work, and, in Congress, he co-sponsored H.R. 377, the Paycheck Fairness Act, to prohibit wage discrimination based on gender. He has always supported reproductive freedom, including a woman’s right to make her own health care decisions, and access to all reproductive healthcare options, and paid family leave. In Congress, he also co-sponsored the reauthorization of the Violence Against Women Act as well as legislation to investigate, prevent, and reduce sexual assault incidents in the Armed Forces.

​Protecting Retirement and Seniors
Steven will fight to protect Seniors and their quality of life in their golden years. He will stop attempts to privatize Social Security or voucherize Medicare and prevent all attempts to raise the retirement age. He will advocate for increased funding for long-term caregiving options that serve those with additional needs. He will also support other senior programs, including support for caregivers and home-delivered meals, providing our aging populations with the opportunities to remain independent and living at home.

Ending the Gun Violence Epidemic
Steven will fight to expand background checks and ban bump stocks. He supports reinstating the assault weapons ban. He lost his father to gun violence at a young age, and, as a parent, he wants for every child what he wants for his own--for them to be safe at school and in our communities.

Fighting for Immigration Reform
In 2013, Steven was one of five original cosponsors of H.R.15, the Border Security, Economic Opportunity, and Immigration Modernization Act. This comprehensive immigration reform package would have funded border security and provided a pathway to citizenship. Steven will continue to work to pass immigration reform and strengthen Deferred Action for Childhood Arrival (DACA) and other protections for young people. Steven will fight for Dreamers and families caught in a broken immigration system.

Advocating for Clean Energy, Conservation, and the Environment
Steven will fight to protect our air, water, land, and wildlife and address the climate crisis. In Congress, Steven led on legislation to protect our parks and public lands, including bills that designated the Tule Springs Fossil Beds National Monument and the Wovoka Wilderness. As Nevada Senate Majority Leader, he led the passage the largest increase in the state’s Renewable Portfolio Standard as well as the Clean Energy Jobs Initiative to expand our clean energy economy and ensure Nevadans were able to succeed in these emerging careers.

Defending Our Democracy
Steven will fight to protect our democracy. He will work to strengthen the Voting Rights Act and other policies that expand voter participation, including automatic and same-day voter registration measures. He also supports legislation to overturn Citizens United. In Congress, he co-sponsored H.R. 20, The Government By The People Act, to tackle the problems stemming from the influence of money in our politics.

Addressing Housing Affordability and Homelessness
Many Nevadans are still underwater in their homes, and many others cannot access affordable housing. Steven will advocate for legislation to provide relief for homeowners who were able to stay in their home but lost equity during the recession, and he will fight for funding and programs that create affordable housing alternatives in Nevada.

Investing in Transportation and Infrastructure
Steven will fight for all communities in the 4th District and make sure they are well-positioned to take full advantage of expanded transportation and infrastructure projects. He co-chaired the bipartisan I-11 caucus when he was in Congress, connecting Las Vegas and Phoenix by interstate and laying the groundwork for a network to stretch from Canada to Mexico. He also advocated for additional road projects, including finishing the 215 in Clark County, and he will work to secure additional resources to invest in public transportation to reduce traffic congestion and pollution in our community.

Serving Veterans and Military Families
Steven will deliver for veterans and military families, especially those at military installations in the 4th District. In Congress, he helped secure $78.5 million for Nellis Air Force Base, and he will continue to fight for the resources needed to prepare our men and women in uniform and ensure their families have access to great education and support services.​

Steven will always fight for the approximately 300,000 veterans in Nevada. In Congress, he led on legislation, like the Putting Our Veterans Back to Work Act, to reduce veteran unemployment by training veterans for careers in high-demand occupations. He pushed the Veterans Administration to speed up the construction of the Community Based Outreach Clinic in Pahrump, which is now open and providing essential services. He will also advocate for legislation to protect veterans’ and survivors’ benefits, end homelessness, provide mental health assistance, and ensure the VA has the resource to fully take care of the men and women who served our country.[28]

”
—Nevadans for Steven Horsford[30]


Social media

Twitter accounts

Facebook accounts

Click the icons below to visit the candidates' Facebook pages.

Republican Party Cresent Hardy Facebook

Democratic Party Steven Horsford Facebook

Pivot Counties

See also: Pivot Counties by state

There are no Pivot Counties in Nevada. Pivot Counties are counties that voted for Barack Obama (D) in 2008 and 2012 and for Donald Trump (R) in 2016. Altogether, the nation had 206 Pivot Counties, with most being concentrated in upper midwestern and northeastern states.

In the 2016 presidential election, Hillary Clinton (D) won Nevada with 47.9 percent of the vote. Donald Trump (R) received 45.5 percent. In presidential elections between 1868 and 2016, Nevada voted Republican 51 percent of the time and Democratic 46 percent of the time. In the five presidential elections between 2000 and 2016, Nevada voted Democratic three times and Republican the other two.[31]

Presidential results by legislative district

The following table details results of the 2012 and 2016 presidential elections by state Assembly districts in Nevada. Click [show] to expand the table. The "Obama," "Romney," "Clinton," and "Trump" columns describe the percent of the vote each presidential candidate received in the district. The "2012 Margin" and "2016 Margin" columns describe the margin of victory between the two presidential candidates in those years. The "Party Control" column notes which party held that seat heading into the 2018 general election. Data on the results of the 2012 and 2016 presidential elections broken down by state legislative districts was compiled by Daily Kos.[32][33]

In 2012, Barack Obama (D) won 26 out of 42 state Assembly districts in Nevada with an average margin of victory of 28.9 points. In 2016, Hillary Clinton (D) won 25 out of 42 state Assembly districts in Nevada with an average margin of victory of 25.4 points.
In 2012, Mitt Romney (R) won 16 out of 42 state Assembly districts in Nevada with an average margin of victory of 15.9 points. In 2016, Donald Trump (R) won 17 out of 42 state Assembly districts in Nevada with an average margin of victory of 18.6 points. Trump won two districts controlled by Democrats heading into the 2018 elections.


District history

2016

See also: Nevada's 4th Congressional District election, 2016

Nevada's 4th Congressional District was a battleground district in 2016. State Sen. Ruben Kihuen (D) defeated Republican incumbent Cresent Hardy, Steve Brown (L), and Mike Little (Independent American) in the general election on November 8, 2016. Hardy defeated challengers Mike Monroe and Wayne Villines in the Republican primary, while Kihuen defeated seven other Democrats to win the nomination in the primary. The primary elections took place on June 14, 2016.[34][35][36][37][38][39][40][41]

U.S. House, Nevada District 4 General Election, 2016
Party Candidate Vote % Votes
     Democratic Green check mark transparent.pngRuben Kihuen 48.5% 128,985
     Republican Cresent Hardy Incumbent 44.5% 118,328
     Libertarian Steve Brown 3.8% 10,206
     Independent American Mike Little 3.1% 8,327
Total Votes 265,846
Source: Nevada Secretary of State


U.S. House, Nevada District 4 Republican Primary, 2016
Candidate Vote % Votes
Green check mark transparent.pngCresent Hardy Incumbent 76.8% 18,610
Mike Monroe 17.9% 4,336
Wayne Villines 5.3% 1,290
Total Votes 24,236
Source: Nevada Secretary of State
U.S. House, Nevada District 4 Democratic Primary, 2016
Candidate Vote % Votes
Green check mark transparent.pngRuben Kihuen 39.9% 12,221
Lucy Flores 25.7% 7,854
Susie Lee 20.9% 6,407
Morse Arberry 6.2% 1,902
Rodney Smith 2.8% 869
Mike Schaefer 2.5% 773
Dan Rolle 1.1% 336
Brandon Casutt 0.8% 240
Total Votes 30,602
Source: Nevada Secretary of State

2014

See also: Nevada's 4th Congressional District elections, 2014

The 4th Congressional District of Nevada held an election for the U.S. House of Representatives on November 4, 2014. Cresent Hardy (R) defeated incumbent Steven Horsford (D), Steve Brown (L) and Russell Best (Independent American) in the general election.

U.S. House, Nevada District 4 General Election, 2014
Party Candidate Vote % Votes
     Democratic Steven Horsford Incumbent 45.8% 59,844
     Republican Green check mark transparent.pngCresent Hardy 48.5% 63,466
     Libertarian Steve Brown 3.1% 4,119
     Independent American Russell Best 2.6% 3,352
Total Votes 130,781
Source: Nevada Secretary of State

State overview

Partisan control

This section details the partisan control of federal and state positions in Nevada heading into the 2018 elections.

Congressional delegation

State executives

State legislature

  • Democrats controlled both chambers of the Nevada State Legislature. They had a 27-14 majority in the state Assembly and a 10-8 majority in the state Senate.

Trifecta status

  • Nevada was under divided government, meaning that the two parties shared control of the state government. Brian Sandoval (R) served as governor, while Democrats controlled the state legislature.

2018 elections

See also: Nevada elections, 2018

Nevada held elections for the following positions in 2018:

Demographics

Demographic data for Nevada
 NevadaU.S.
Total population:2,883,758316,515,021
Land area (sq mi):109,7813,531,905
Race and ethnicity**
White:69%73.6%
Black/African American:8.4%12.6%
Asian:7.7%5.1%
Native American:1.1%0.8%
Pacific Islander:0.6%0.2%
Two or more:4.4%3%
Hispanic/Latino:27.5%17.1%
Education
High school graduation rate:85.1%86.7%
College graduation rate:23%29.8%
Income
Median household income:$51,847$53,889
Persons below poverty level:17.8%11.3%
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, "American Community Survey" (5-year estimates 2010-2015)
Click here for more information on the 2020 census and here for more on its impact on the redistricting process in Nevada.
**Note: Percentages for race and ethnicity may add up to more than 100 percent because respondents may report more than one race and the Hispanic/Latino ethnicity may be selected in conjunction with any race. Read more about race and ethnicity in the census here.

As of July 2016, Nevada's three largest cities were Las Vegas (pop. est. 640,000), Henderson (pop. est. 300,000), and Reno (pop. est. 250,000).[42]

State election history

This section provides an overview of federal and state elections in Nevada from 2000 to 2016. All data comes from the Nevada Secretary of State.

Historical elections

Presidential elections, 2000-2016

This chart shows the results of the presidential election in Nevada every year from 2000 to 2016.

Election results (President of the United States), Nevada 2000-2016
Year First-place candidate First-place candidate votes (%) Second-place candidate Second-place candidate votes (%) Margin of victory (%)
2016 Democratic Party Hillary Clinton 47.9% Republican Party Donald Trump 45.5% 2.4%
2012 Democratic Party Barack Obama 52.4% Republican Party Mitt Romney 45.7% 6.7%
2008 Democratic Party Barack Obama 55.1% Republican Party John McCain 42.7% 12.4%
2004 Republican Party George W. Bush 50.5% Democratic Party John Kerry 47.9% 2.6%
2000 Republican Party George W. Bush 49.5% Democratic Party Al Gore 45.9% 3.6%

U.S. Senate elections, 2000-2016

This chart shows the results of U.S. Senate races in Nevada from 2000 to 2016. Every state has two Senate seats, and each seat goes up for election every six years. The terms of the seats are staggered so that roughly one-third of the seats are up every two years.

Election results (U.S. Senator), Nevada 2000-2016
Year First-place candidate First-place candidate votes (%) Second-place candidate Second-place candidate votes (%) Margin of victory (%)
2016 Democratic Party Catherine Cortez Masto 47.1% Republican Party Joe Heck 44.7% 2.4%
2012 Republican Party Dean Heller 45.9% Democratic Party Shelley Berkley 44.7% 1.2%
2010 Democratic Party Harry Reid 50.3% Republican Party Sharron Angle 44.6% 5.7%
2006 Republican Party John Ensign 55.4% Democratic Party Jack Carter 41.0% 14.4%
2004 Democratic Party Harry Reid 61.1% Republican Party Richard Ziser 35.1% 26.0%
2000 Republican Party John Ensign 55.0% Democratic Party Ed Bernstein 39.7% 15.3%

Gubernatorial elections, 2000-2016

This chart shows the results of the four gubernatorial elections held between 2000 and 2016. Gubernatorial elections are held every four years in Nevada.

Election results (Governor), Nevada 2000-2016
Year First-place candidate First-place candidate votes (%) Second-place candidate Second-place candidate votes (%) Margin of victory (%)
2014 Republican Party Brian Sandoval 70.6% Democratic Party Bob Goodman 23.9% 46.7%
2010 Republican Party Brian Sandoval 53.4% Democratic Party Rory Reid 41.6% 11.8%
2006 Republican Party Jim Gibbons 47.9% Democratic Party Dina Titus 43.9% 4.0%
2002 Republican Party Kenny Guinn 68.1% Democratic Party Joe Neal 22.0% 46.1%

Congressional delegation, 2000-2016

This chart shows the number of Democrats and Republicans who were elected to represent Nevada in the U.S. House from 2000 to 2016. Elections for U.S. House seats are held every two years.

Congressional delegation, Nevada 2000-2016
Year Republicans Republicans (%) Democrats Democrats (%) Balance of power
2016 Republican Party 1 25.0% Democratic Party 3 75.0% D+2
2014 Republican Party 3 75.0% Democratic Party 1 25.0% R+2
2012[43] Republican Party 2 50.0% Democratic Party 2 50.0% Even
2010 Republican Party 2 66.7% Democratic Party 1 33.3% R+1
2008 Republican Party 1 33.3% Democratic Party 2 66.7% D+1
2006 Republican Party 2 66.7% Democratic Party 1 33.3% R+1
2004 Republican Party 2 66.7% Democratic Party 1 33.3% R+1
2002[44] Republican Party 2 66.7% Democratic Party 1 33.3% R+1
2000 Republican Party 1 50.0% Democratic Party 1 50.0% Even

Trifectas, 1992-2017

A state government trifecta occurs when one party controls both chambers of the state legislature and the governor's office.

Nevada Party Control: 1992-2025
Five years of Democratic trifectas  •  Two years of Republican trifectas
Scroll left and right on the table below to view more years.

Year 92 93 94 95 96 97 98 99 00 01 02 03 04 05 06 07 08 09 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25
Governor D D D D D D D R R R R R R R R R R R R R R R R R R R R D D D D R R R
Senate D R R R R R R R R R R R R R R R R D D D D D D R R D D D D D D D D D
House D D D S S D D D D D D D D D D D D D D D D D D R R D D D D D D D D D


See also

Footnotes

  1. ↑ Politico, "Kihuen will not seek reelection," December 16, 2017
  2. ↑ 2.0 2.1 2.2 Cresent Hardy for Congress, "Home," accessed September 30, 2018
  3. ↑ 3.0 3.1 Steven Horsford for Congress, "About Steven," accessed September 30, 2018
  4. ↑ OpenSecrets.org, "Outside Spending," accessed September 22, 2015
  5. ↑ OpenSecrets.org, "Total Outside Spending by Election Cycle, All Groups," accessed September 22, 2015
  6. ↑ National Review.com, "Why the Media Hate Super PACs," November 6, 2015
  7. ↑ The Nevada Independent, "Bloomberg PAC promotes Horsford's anti-Yucca Mountain stance in new ad," October 26, 2018
  8. ↑ Federal Election Commission, "Independent Expenditures - Independence USA PAC," accessed October 4, 2018
  9. ↑ The Hill, "Republicans cancel airtime in swing Vegas district," October 18, 2018
  10. ↑ Cook Political Report, "Introducing the 2017 Cook Political Report Partisan Voter Index," April 7, 2017
  11. ↑ FiveThirtyEight, "Election Update: The Most (And Least) Elastic States And Districts," September 6, 2018
  12. ↑ Las Vegas Review-Journal, "EDITORIAL: Danny Tarkanian, Cresent Hardy and Dina Titus for Congress," October 22, 2018
  13. ↑ Vox, "Barack Obama just issued his first 2018 endorsements," August 1, 2018
  14. ↑ U.S. News, "Biden Endorses Horsford for Nevada's 4th US House Seat," May 22, 2018
  15. ↑ John Anzalone for Congress, "Endorsements," accessed March 23, 2018
  16. ↑ Amy Vilela for the People, "Endorsements," accessed March 23, 2018
  17. ↑ U.S. News, "Biden Endorses Horsford for Nevada's 4th US House Seat," May 22, 2018
  18. ↑ Nevada Demographics, "Nevada Cities by Population," accessed September 5, 2017
  19. ↑ Nevada gained a fourth seat in the U.S. House of Representatives following the 2010 census.
  20. ↑ Nevada gained a third seat in the U.S. House of Representatives following the 2000 census.
  21. ↑ The Nevada Independent, "Eric Trump stumps for Hardy, warns of 'anarchy' if Democrats take control of Congress," October 30, 2018
  22. ↑ News 3 Las Vegas, "Pence boosts Hardy in 4th district fight; condemns Pittsburgh violence," accessed October 30, 2018
  23. ↑ PA Homepage, "Biden rallies union for Democrats in tight Nevada races," October 20, 2018
  24. ↑ Republicans put power of party behind eleven 'Young Gun' congressional candidates," June 29, 2018
  25. ↑ Twitter, "Jon Ralston," April 19, 2018
  26. ↑ 26.0 26.1 The Hill, "Kihuen won't seek reelection amid sexual harassment allegations," December 16, 2017
  27. ↑ The Hill, "Ethics Committee investigating claims against Kihuen," December 15, 2017
  28. ↑ 28.0 28.1 Note: This text is quoted verbatim from the original source. Any inconsistencies are attributable to the original source.
  29. ↑ Cresent Hardy for Congress, "Issues," accessed September 26, 2018
  30. ↑ Steven Horsford for Congress, "On the Issues," accessed September 26, 2018
  31. ↑ 270towin.com, "Nevada," accessed August 3, 2017
  32. ↑ Daily Kos, "Daily Kos Elections' statewide election results by congressional and legislative districts," July 9, 2013
  33. ↑ Daily Kos, "Daily Kos Elections' 2016 presidential results for congressional and legislative districts," February 6, 2017
  34. ↑ Nevada Secretary of State, "2016 Filed Non-Judicial Candidates," accessed March 19, 2016
  35. ↑ Facebook, "I AM RUNNING FOR CONGRESS - CONGRESSIONAL DISTRICT 4," March 28, 2015
  36. ↑ Las Vegas Review-Journal, "Democrat Lucy Flores announces congressional bid," April 22, 2015
  37. ↑ Las Vegas Review-Journal, "Vegas philanthropist Susie Lee may seek congressional seat," April 27, 2015
  38. ↑ KNPR, "Former Assembly Speaker John Oceguera Running For Congress," July 9, 2015
  39. ↑ Roll Call, "Exclusive: NRCC Announces 12 Members in Patriot Program," February 13, 2015
  40. ↑ The New York Times, "Nevada Primary Results," June 14, 2016
  41. ↑ Nevada Secretary of State, "2016 Master Statewide Certified List of Candidates," accessed September 7, 2016
  42. ↑ Nevada Demographics, "Nevada Cities by Population," accessed September 5, 2017
  43. ↑ Nevada gained a fourth seat in the U.S. House of Representatives following the 2010 census.
  44. ↑ Nevada gained a third seat in the U.S. House of Representatives following the 2000 census.
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Nevada's current delegation to the United States Congress
Senators
Catherine Masto (D)
Jacky Rosen (D)
Representatives
District 1
District 2
District 3
Susie Lee (D)
District 4
Democratic Party (5)
Republican Party (1)

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