2008 United States House of Representatives elections in Nevada

The 2008 congressional elections in Nevada were held on November 4, 2008, to determine who would represent the state of Nevada in the United States House of Representatives, coinciding with the presidential election. The election coincided with the 2008 U.S. presidential election. Representatives are elected for two-year terms; those elected would serve in the 111th Congress from January 3, 2009 until January 3, 2011.

Nevada had three seats in the House, apportioned according to the 2000 United States census. Its 2007–2008 congressional delegation consisted of two Republicans and one Democrat. After the election, it consisted of one Republican and two Democrats, with District 3 changing from Republican to Democratic. CQ Politics had forecasted districts 2 and 3 to be at some risk for the incumbent party.

Overview Statewide PartyCandidatesVotesSeats %+/– %Democratic3457,32050.35266.67Republican3383,54842.23133.33Independent American322,8132.5100.0Libertarian320,4322.2500.0Independent114,9221.6400.0Green29,2191.0200.0Total15908,254100.03100.0

By district Results of the 2008 United States House of Representatives elections in Nevada by district:

DistrictDemocraticRepublicanOthersTotalResult Votes % Votes % Votes % Votes %District 1 154,860 67.65% 64,837 28.32% 9,225 4.03% 228,922 100.0% Democratic HoldDistrict 2 136,548 41.44% 170,771 51.82% 22,201 6.74% 329,520 100.0% Republican HoldDistrict 3 165,912 47.43% 147,940 42.29% 35,960 10.28% 349,812 100.0% Democratic GainTotal 457,320 50.35% 383,548 42.23% 67,386 7.42% 908,254 100.0%

District 1

This district covered most of the City of Las Vegas, as well as parts of North Las Vegas and parts of unincorporated Clark County. Incumbent Democrat Shelley Berkley, who had represented the district since 1999, ran for re-election. She was re-elected with 51.2% of the vote in 2006 and the district had a PVI of D+9.

Democratic primary Candidates Nominee Shelley Berkley, incumbent U.S. Representative

Eliminated in primary Mark Budetich Jr, Merchant Marine electrician and candidate for the 3rd district in 2002, 2004 and 2006

Results

Republican primary Candidates Nominee Kenneth Wegner, Gulf War veteran, part-time bail enforcement agent, candidate for the U.S. Senate in 2004 and nominee for this seat in 2006

Eliminated in primary Chris Dyer, veteran and restaurateur Eve Ellingwood, former judge Ed Hamilton, former Chrysler executive and candidate for the U.S. Senate in 2006 Ray Kornfield, casino worker Russ Mickelson, former Air Force pilot, retired Defense Department employee, for this seat in candidate in 2006 and nominee in 2004 Mike Powers, candidate for Mayor of Honolulu

Results

Libertarian primary Candidates Nominee Jim Duensing, radio talk show host, nominee for this seat in 2004 and 2006

Independent American primary Candidates Nominee Caren Alexander

General election Predictions SourceRankingAs of The Cook Political Report November 6, 2008 Rothenberg November 2, 2008 Sabato's Crystal Ball November 6, 2008 Real Clear Politics November 7, 2008 CQ Politics November 6, 2008

Results

Finances Campaigns Candidate (party) Raised Spent Cash on hand Shelley Berkley (D) $2,164,787 $1,985,063 $853,233 Kenneth Wegner (R) $15,747 $15,794 $0 Jim Duensing (L) Unreported Darnell Roberts (IN) Unreported

Outside Spending Candidate (party) Supported Opposed Shelley Berkley (D) $19,108 $0 Kenneth Wegner (R) $1 $0 Jim Duensing (L) $0 $0 Darnell Roberts (IN) $0 $0

District 2

This district covered all of Nevada except for parts of Clark County. Reno, along with surrounding Washoe County, casts about 70% of the district's vote. The 2nd District had been represented by Republicans continuously since its creation. Incumbent Republican Dean Heller, who had represented the district since 2007, ran for re-election. He was elected with 50.3% of the vote in 2006 and the district had a PVI of R+8.

Republican primary Candidates Nominee Dean Heller (Carson City), incumbent U.S. Representative

Eliminated in primary James Smack, pawn shop manager

Results

Democratic primary Candidates Nominee Jill Derby (Gardnerville), chair of the Nevada Democratic Party, former Regent for the University and Community College System of Nevada and nominee for this seat in 2006

General election Endorsements

Polling Poll source Date(s)administered Samplesize Margin oferrorDeanHeller (R)JillDerby (D) Others Undecided Mason-Dixon (Las Vegas Review-Journal)LVRJ Oct 2 2008 October 28–29, 2008 400 (LV) ±5.0% 50% 37% 4% 9% Mason-Dixon (Las Vegas Review-Journal)LVRJ Oct 2008 October 8–9, 2008 221 (LV) ±4.0% 51% 38% 1% 10%

Predictions SourceRankingAs of The Cook Political Report November 6, 2008 Rothenberg November 2, 2008 Sabato's Crystal Ball November 6, 2008 Real Clear Politics November 7, 2008 CQ Politics November 6, 2008

Results

Finances Campaigns Candidate (party) Raised Spent Cash on hand Dean Heller (R) $1,713,939 $1,605,840 $133,757 Jill Derby (D) $1,109,169 $1,121,582 $4,085 Sean Patrick Morse (L) Unreported James Krochus (IA) Unreported Craig Bergland (G) Unreported

Outside Spending Candidate (party) Supported Opposed Dean Heller (R) $128,416 $10,278 Jill Derby (D) $42,810 $0 Sean Patrick Morse (L) $0 $0 John Everhart (IA) $0 $0 Craig Bergland (G) $0 $0

District 3

This district covered the suburbs of Las Vegas, including Henderson, parts of North Las Vegas and Summerlin, and much of unincorporated Clark County. Incumbent Republican Jon Porter, who had represented the district since 2003, ran for re-election. He was re-elected with 48.5% of the vote in 2006 and the district had a PVI of D+1.

Republican primary Candidates Nominee Jon Porter (Boulder City), incumbent U.S. Representative

Eliminated in primary Carl Bunce Jesse Law

Results

Democratic primary Leading Democratic candidates included Fraud Examiner Andrew Martin and Clark County prosecutor Robert Daskas, but Daskas dropped out in late April, citing family concerns. After losing their top candidate, the Democratic Party quickly recruited Titus, who had previously declined to run.

Candidates Nominee Dina Titus (Las Vegas), Nevada Senate Minority Leader and nominee for Governor in 2006

Eliminated in primary Barry Michaels, chiropractor, ex convict and candidate for this seat in 2006 Anna Nevenic, writer, peace activist, candidate for this seat in 2004 and 2006 Carlo "Tex" Poliak, trash collector, Republican candidate for Governor in 2002 and for U.S. Senate in 2004

Withdrawn Robert Daskas, Clark County prosecutorTop Democratic House challenger drops out Martin Kandy II. Politico.com The Crypt. April 28, 2008. Andrew Martin, fraud examiner (running for the state assembly)

Declined Maggie Carlton, state senator Tessa Hafen, former press secretary for US Senate Minority Leader Harry Reid and nominee for this seat in 2006 Lawrence Lehrner, nephrologist and husband of Shelley Berkley Rory Reid, Clark County Commission Chair Richard Perkins, Henderson Police Chief and former Speaker of the Nevada Assembly

Results

Libertarian primary Candidates Nominee Joseph Silvestri, teacher, realtor, nominee for this seat in 2004 and 2006

Green primary Candidates Nominee Bob Giaquinta

Independent American primary Candidates Nominee Floyd Fitzgibbons, insurance agency owner and nominee for State Controller in 2006

Other Candidates Jeffrey Reeves (Independent)

General election Campaign Porter was considered to be at risk due to the increasingly Democratic electorate in the 3rd District, having won by only 48% to 46% in 2006 against a former aide to U.S. Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid. George W. Bush had barely won this district with 50% to 49% for John Kerry in 2004.

Endorsements

Polling Poll source Date(s)administered Samplesize Margin oferrorJonPorter (R)DinaTitus (D) Others Undecided Mason-Dixon (Las Vegas Review-Journal) October 28–29, 2008 400 (LV) ±5.0% 44% 44% 3% 9% Mason-Dixon (Las Vegas Review-Journal)LVRJ 3rd Oct 2008 October 8–9, 2008 236 (LV) ±4.0% 43% 40% 3% 13%

Predictions SourceRankingAs of The Cook Political Report November 6, 2008 Rothenberg November 2, 2008 Sabato's Crystal Ball November 6, 2008 Real Clear Politics November 7, 2008 CQ Politics November 6, 2008

Results

Finances Campaigns Candidate (party) Raised Spent Cash on hand Jon Porter (R) $2,946,133 $2,873,337 $26,133 Dina Titus (D) $1,856,736 $1,777,641 $79,095 Joseph Silvestri (L) Unreported Floyd Fitzgibbons (IA) Unreported Bob Giaquinta (G) Unreported Jeffery Reeves (I) Unreported

Outside Spending Candidate (party) Supported Opposed Jon Porter (R) $295,757 $472,721 Dina Titus (D) $549,006 $596,775 Joseph Silvestri (L) $0 $0 JFloyd Fitzgibbons (IA) $0 $0 Bob Giaquinta (G) $0 $0 Jeffery Reeves (I) $0 $0

Notes

References

External links Election Center from the Nevada Secretary of State U.S. Congress candidates for Nevada at Project Vote Smart Nevada U.S. House Races from 2008 Race Tracker Campaign contributions for Nevada congressional races from OpenSecrets

District 3 Jon Porter (R) campaign website Dina Titus (D) campaign website Joseph Silvestri (L) campaign website Bob Giaquinta (G) campaign website Jeffrey Reeves (I) campaign website