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Published on November 10, 2024
Senator Jacky Rosen Defends Nevada Seat, Upholding Democratic Hold in Swing StateSource: Wikipedia/U.S. Senate Photographic Studio, Public domain, via Wikimedia Commons

Senator Jacky Rosen has won reelection in Nevada, defeating Republican challenger Sam Brown and helping Democrats maintain control of this key swing state seat. Like fellow Democrat Catherine Cortez Masto, who won reelection two years ago, Rosen focused on issues like abortion rights and emphasized her independence from party leaders, a strategy that resonated with Nevada voters, according to News 3 Las Vegas.

Despite Sam Brown's efforts to align with President-elect Donald Trump, who had a strong showing in the state, Rosen's significant advantage in campaign spending allowed her to maintain a dominant presence on the airwaves for months. According to NBC News, Rosen's consistent bipartisan, independent stance was a keystone in her campaign, as she stated in a victory speech that she is "proud to be one of the most bipartisan, independent, and effective senators," and reinforced her commitment to representing all Nevadans regardless of how they voted.

Sam Brown, a retired Army captain, and Purple Heart recipient ran for office for the first time but couldn't overcome Rosen's lead, even with a surge of conservative funding. Abortion rights were a major campaign issue, with Rosen supporting them and Brown opposing abortion but stating he wouldn't support a federal ban. This year, Nevada voters approved a measure to protect abortion rights in the state constitution, though it must be approved again in 2026 to take effect.

Rosen leveraged her record, highlighting her efforts in expanding broadband internet access and advocating for infrastructure projects like the light rail connection between Las Vegas and Southern California. Meanwhile, Brown, the founder of a medical company serving veterans, repeatedly mentioned his military background and injuries in his campaign ads. Despite the charged political atmosphere, given Trump's target on the state, and the six electoral votes up for grabs, Rosen managed to uphold the streak of Nevada's electorate favoring no-nonsense senators who draw funding from Washington to the state.

All four of Nevada's U.S. House incumbents — three Democrats and one Republican — were reelected alongside Rosen. This highlights the Democratic party's strong influence in Nevada, with no Senate race losses since 2012, reflecting the success of candidates like Rosen in navigating the state's diverse electorate.