GOP worries in the Silver State

By Matt Compton at August 15, 2008 - 4:40pm
Elections Analysis

GOP worries in the Silver State

It's not a good time to be a Republican in Nevada.

A year ago, the state was tied in terms of voter registration. Now, the GOP is staring at a 60,000 person deficit.

Democrats in the state have outraised them for the cycle, and the GOP governor has been plagued with scandal.

On top of all that, conservative activists are mounting primary challenges against long-time Republican establishment figures like Senate Majority Leader Bill Raggio:

Raggio, 81, won a six-point victory on Tuesday after being forced to campaign actively for the first time since his initial race in 1972. His opponent is a hero of Nevada's hard-core fiscal and social conservatives angered by Raggio's compromises on such things as a large 2003 tax increase.

"Obviously there has been creeping disunity within the party," Raggio said. "I have not had a very serious, tough election up until this primary."

That's heartening news for us. We're looking at the Nevada Senate as one of our top targets for the cycle.

Tags: 2008, Nevada

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