Carson City, Nevada — The Nevada Republican primary for the U.S. Senate seat, to be held June 8, has the most suspense in the state. The Democratic race is sewn up with the incumbent Harry Reid. The independent seat pretty much has a definite front runner with Sharron Angle, whose primary campaign is “Anybody but Reid.” She has a strong backing for that concept, even among the Republicans.
The Republican primary seems to be closely challenged with two front runners also strongly focused on ousting Reid. Sue Lowden and Danny Tarkanian whose numbers in the polls seem to be neck and neck with Reid at various counts, according to the Las Vegas Review Journal.
Sue Lowden, who has drawn some ridicule with her “Chickens for Checkups” YouTube parody in response to her suggestion that people could barter with their doctors. Otherwise she has endorsements from Vietnam War veterans.
There is much debate as to who of the three has twenty to thirty to forty percent support at this point. It appears the primary is going to have to sort it out. In addition to those three some resources indicate Danny Tarkanian is also in the running as well for the top three. Tarkanian’s endorsements are anti-illegal immigration and conservative guns rights. He will compete against Lowden in the primary and it isn’t yet clear which of them will come out on top. Different polls show different results, according to the Review Journal story.
Tarkanian is strong, professional and has strong backers but he doesn’t appear to get as much name recognition as Lowden. Lowden has a lot of history with leading the Republican Party functions in Nevada, but not all of it is favorable. Nevada was issued a reprimand recently for mishandling the presidential nomination proceedings in 2008 and the process had to be redone. That could work against her at the primary.(Nevada GOP front-runner Sue Lowden faces attacks from own party. MARTIN GRIFFITH. Associated Press, November 09, 2009 00:28 AM)
Tarkanian’s professionalism and stronger ties could win him the election over Lowden’s flawed name recognition. It is too close to call. (Las Vegas Review Journal, May 9, 2010, Laura Myers, Primary Endorsements: Senate candidates seek edge)
Reid’s campaign includes boasting about jobs he has brought or saved in Nevada. With a state unemployment rate at 13.5% it is a difficult point to sell. Most polls indicate it will be a close race at the November election regardless of which Republican candidate wins in the primary. The stronger the candidate, the tougher the challenge for Reid to win reelection. (Rasmussen Reports, April 29, 2010, Election 2010: Nevada Senate: Reid’s Support Still Hovers Around 40%)
It is reported that 47% of Nevadans are unhappy with Reid and 23% are VERY unhappy. The thread is that when he went to Washington he pretty much forgot Nevada. He forgot the local issues and got so wrapped up in being Obama’s front man for the health care bill and other things, while his state suffered the worst economy in the country; layoffs, foreclosures, bankruptcies, business failures. Reid forgot who put him in office, the voters (Rasmussen Reports, April 29, 2010, Election 2010: Nevada Senate: Reid’s Support Still Hovers Around 40%. )
With 53% of the state against the new health care bill, and the state officially joining other states in filing a lawsuit against it; Reid’s big success isn’t exactly a big selling point to Nevadans. Reid’s loyalties are questionable to the people of Nevada, the voters. (Rasmussen Reports, April 29, 2010, Election 2010: Nevada Senate: Reid’s Support Still Hovers Around 40%. )
Financially, Reid has plenty of campaign funds. He campaigned in other states, including Hollywood, CA with celebrities; for funds for his re-election. So he has far more money than any of the other candidates. (Opensecrets.com Donor lookups; www.nv.gov 2010 Election, Candidates Filings, and Senator Reid’s pages)
Clearly, Nevadans want something different and they aren’t satisfied with the incumbent anymore. You don’t dredge up 22 competitors if you are satisfied with the person already on the job. While its obvious Nevada is ready for something new, it’s not very clear what it is that Nevada really wants. There are still a half dozen choices to sort through and the biggest issue is whether or not the incumbent will be replaced. Nevadans may not be paying enough attention to what they could be getting themselves into.
Sources:
-Las Vegas Review Journal, May 9, 2010, Laura Myers, Primary Endorsements: Senate candidates seek edge
-Rasmussen Reports, April 29, 2010, Election 2010: Nevada Senate: Reid’s Support Still Hovers Around 40%
-Nevada Appeal, Geoff Dornan, Angle: Ultimate goal is to oust Reid 5/14/2010
-Nevada Appeal, 5/14/2010, Senate GOP race tightening poll says
-Opensecrets.com Donor lookups
-www.nv.gov 2010 Election, Candidates Filings, and Senator Reid’s pages
-Nevada GOP front-runner Sue Lowden faces attacks from own party. MARTIN GRIFFITH. Associated Press, November 09, 2009 00:28 AM)
