Rep. Susie Lee, a Democrat from Nevada, won the Democratic primary for Nevada’s 3rd Congressional District on Tuesday. This district, located in the southern part of the Las Vegas metro area, is considered a competitive swing district with a Cook Political Report rating of D+1. Lee faced challengers James Lally, Terrill Robinson, and Brandon West in the primary.
Lee has been recognized by Georgetown University’s Lugar Center as one of the 10 most bipartisan members of Congress. However, she has faced criticism from Republicans for her opposition to the One Big Beautiful Bill Act, which reportedly included significant funding for rural Nevada. Supporters of Lee include AIPAC and corporate entities such as Boeing.
Lally, a cardiologist, argued that Lee's bipartisan reputation is misleading and criticized her stance towards Republican voters. Trump’s advocacy for the "No Tax On Tips" initiative has resonated with many in the district, which has a high number of tipped workers due to its proximity to the Las Vegas Strip.
Robinson, a Marine Corps veteran and former staffer for Rep. Dina Titus, expressed concerns about corporate influence in government. West, who has worked various jobs including for the Transportation Safety Administration and SEIU, emphasized his diverse experiences and understanding of different perspectives. He has stated that his primary focus, if elected, would be to end U.S. aid to Israel and to decommission ICE.
Lee recently faced backlash for a deleted post on X (formerly Twitter) where she used explicit language in response to a comment made by Trump regarding a Supreme Court case on birthright citizenship. She later defended her remarks, stating that her language was a reaction to perceived attacks on the Constitution.
