While recent events in Nevada are troubling, this is no time to freak out. It’s not too late for us to impact the November election. For nearly two decades, Nevada has been a Democratic stronghold, driven by a youthful, diverse population and strong labor unions. However, recent polls show Donald Trump leading President Biden, attributed to voter frustrations over housing costs, inflation, and gas prices. In 2020, Biden narrowly won Nevada by 2.4 points, but now Trump leads among young voters and Hispanic voters. This critical swing state’s slow economic recovery from the pandemic and high living costs are significant factors in Biden’s declining support. Despite Biden’s efforts to address these issues, economic discontent persists. Increasing voter registration and turnout in Nevada is imperative to maintain Democratic control and counter the growing influence of the Republican Party.
The Biden campaign remains hopeful, relying on Nevada’s history of late-breaking Democratic support and a strong ground game led by the influential Culinary Workers Union. They plan to emphasize issues like abortion rights, hoping to mobilize voters with a potential ballot measure to enshrine abortion access in the state constitution. The Biden campaign also highlights job creation and infrastructure projects, aiming to shift voter perception through extensive outreach and increased visits from Biden, Harris, and other surrogates. However, Trump’s relentless presence and the fallacy of his strength on economic issues, coupled with the difficulty of reaching a population with dynamic influx and outflow, pose a significant challenge to Biden’s re-election efforts in Nevada.
“Nothing is likelier to bolster Mr. Biden’s chances than abortion, an issue that has aided Democratic candidates since the Supreme Court overturned Roe v. Wade in 2022, ending a constitutional right to the procedure. Even in conservative states, voters have turned out in droves to back abortion rights. Nevada is likely to have a measure on the November ballot that would enshrine access to abortion until fetal viability, or about 24 weeks, in the state’s Constitution.”
– Kellen Browning and Nicholas Nehamas, New york times
Sam Brown, front-running Republican opponent of incumbent Nevada Senator Jacky Rosen, is flip-flopping his stance on abortion and distancing himself from his previous positions while downplaying his views on the issue. Like other Republicans in the current election cycle, Brown deflects by saying abortion legislation should be determined by states, indicating he wouldn’t support a federal ban due to Nevada’s constitutional protections. However, Rosen’s campaign noted Brown’s past involvement in and support of anti-abortion organizations. It said he “is a direct threat to Nevadans’ reproductive freedom, and he cannot be trusted to protect abortion rights in the Senate.”
The Culinary Union Local 226 and close affiliate Bartenders Union Local 165, significant political players in Nevada, have recently withdrawn their endorsements from 17 incumbent state-level Democratic lawmakers ahead of the primary election. Together, these unions represent 60,000 workers in the gaming, hotel, and food service industries of Las Vegas and Reno. This move follows the lawmakers’ support for Senate Bill 441, which repealed a daily hotel room cleaning mandate from the COVID-19 pandemic. Though these influential unions have withdrawn support, only four affected candidates face opponents in the primary, and the unions have indicated they will reassess endorsements before November.
While we can’t discount the obstacles, we have strong allies in Nevada. In East Las Vegas, where many residents work long hours in hospitality and culinary jobs, political engagement thrives through “The Little Garage,” a community hub initiated in 2016. This garage-turned-outpost hosts political activities, including phone banks, canvassing, and visits from prominent Democrats. Its approach fosters neighborly interactions and encourages meaningful dialogue. The Little Garage and other grassroots groups have been impactful in electoral victories like Catherine Cortez-Masto’s Senate win by less than one percentage point in 2022, and these groups exemplify the power of community engagement in shaping democratic outcomes.
Despite challenges, Biden and Democrats remain determined. They believe in the resilience of Nevada’s electorate and their party’s ability to connect with voters on crucial issues. With a persistent commitment to addressing economic concerns, advocating for workers’ rights, supporting abortion rights, and leveraging grassroots support, the campaigns plan to reverse momentum and secure victory in Nevada on election day. Holding Nevada is crucial and within our reach; here’s how you can help: