In one of the most important Senate races of the 2024 election, Democratic Sen. Jacky Rosen of Nevada and Republican challenger Sam Brown emerged victorious in their respective primaries on Tuesday.
Senate Democrats are facing a challenging political landscape this fall, with key races in red states like Montana, Ohio, and West Virginia, as well as in swing states. Rosen’s seat is crucial for the party’s hopes of maintaining its slim majority in the chamber.
Nevada is set to play a significant role in November’s elections, as Republicans look to challenge Democratic dominance in federal races in the state. The last time the GOP won a Senate race in Nevada was in 2012, and the last Republican presidential nominee to carry the state was George W. Bush in 2004. However, Republicans are aiming to build on recent gains, having flipped the governor’s office in 2022.
Brown, a retired Army captain who received a Purple Heart for injuries sustained in Afghanistan, was identified as a top candidate by national Republicans. Despite an unsuccessful bid for the state’s other Senate seat in 2022, Brown secured the GOP nomination this cycle and received a late endorsement from former President Donald Trump.
In the primary, Brown defeated a field that included Jeff Gunter, a wealthy dermatologist and former ambassador to Iceland. Gunter spent $2.2 million on ads positioning himself as the true ally of Trump, while portraying Brown as beholden to Washington interests.
Ahead of the primary, Brown spent about $840,000 on advertising and received support from outside groups like Duty First Nevada PAC, Republican Leadership Fund, and Americans for Prosperity, who collectively poured hundreds of thousands of dollars into the race.
Brown’s ads have focused on his support for Trump’s agenda, particularly on curbing illegal immigration and highlighting his military service.
On the other hand, Rosen’s campaign has already aired $7.5 million in TV ads. She has $10.2 million in her campaign coffers compared to Brown’s $2.5 million. Rosen’s ads portray her as a moderate, highlighting her support for measures to lower prescription drug prices, provide health care benefits to veterans exposed to toxic burn pits, and her stance on border security.
Rosen, who unseated Republican incumbent Dean Heller in 2018, has positioned herself as a bipartisan senator who prioritizes the needs of Nevada over party politics. She previously served a single term in the House representing a swing seat in the Las Vegas area.
