Despite considerable effort by Donald Trump, notably in Nevada’s rural areas, Joe Biden won Nevada by a razor-thin margin in the 2020 presidential election.
Nevada has served as a swing state ever since the early 1990s.
In recent years, Democrats have been successful in winning tight races by depending, in part, on the turnout of voters from the middle class and Latinos.
These two groups are essential constituents in a state that is heavily dependent on tourism as well as service and hospitality industries.
Still…the Dems are in Big Trouble in Nevada
However, it was anticipated that Democratic Governor Steve Sisolak would not be reelected in the race for the statehouse in Nevada. As predicted, the Republican candidate won.
As such, this made the Republican contender, Clark County Sheriff Joe Lombardo, the first contender in this cycle to unseat a Democratic incumbent in a governor’s race.
The outcome of the race for Lombardo was determined by the Associated Press just before 9 p.m. Eastern Time. Before the call was even made, Sisolak had already accepted defeat in a statement.
Acceptance
At the time, he stated that although votes were still being cast, it appeared as though they would fall short of victory by a few percentage points or so, despite the fact that they required every ballot to be counted and every voice to be heard.
Serving you as governor for the last four years has been the honor of my lifetime.
Thank you to everyone who believed in us and put your all out there.
It’s important that we now come together to continue moving the state forward. pic.twitter.com/mevXCqVZvt
— Steve Sisolak (@SteveSisolak) November 12, 2022
During the closely contested race, Lombardo had attacked Sisolak on the issue of crime, mimicking a strategy that Republicans all around the country had employed in the weeks leading up to November 8th.
In addition, the Republican capitalized on concerns around the increasing inflation rate as well as the likelihood of a significant economic downturn.
He received the endorsement of former President Donald Trump, who also campaigned in Las Vegas for Republican Senate candidate Adam Laxalt and for him throughout the summer.
Encouraging Development for Conservatives
The victory of Lombardo could turn out to be the single most encouraging development for his party in the Silver State.
BREAKING: Republican Joe Lombardo defeats incumbent Democrat Steve Sisolak in Nevada Gubernatorial election in new GOP Flip
— Benny Johnson (@bennyjohnson) November 12, 2022
Although Democratic Senator Catherine Cortez Masto is now ahead of Laxalt by a razor-thin margin, her supporters anticipate that she will eventually beat him as more votes are counted.
In the meantime, three Democratic House members in Nevada won their respective contests, but the Republican candidate for secretary of state, Jim Marchant, was projected to lose to the Democrat Cisco Aguilar.
This defeat of Sisolak is a good sign for conservatives and gives more momentum. Even though there wasn’t the red wave that was expected in these midterms there are a string of some solid victories such as this one to look up to.
To conclude, this is a massive victory for the Republican Party.
It is a sign of great things to come.
