Actress Longoria adding Latina star power to Biden Vegas visit
Vice President Joe Biden’s get out the vote visit to Las Vegas Saturday will feature actress Eva Longoria, who co-founded the Latino Victory PAC to boost Hispanic candidates.
Biden will rally supporters at 3:15 p.m. at the union hall for the Plumbers and Pipefitters Joint UA Local 525.
Biden’s hastily arranged stop in Nevada before Tuesday’s election is aimed at spurring Democratic voters to cast ballots to counter a strong early vote advantage by Republicans.
Republicans have cast 22,297 more ballots than Democrats during two weeks of early voting as of Friday morning. Early voting ends today, a state holiday for Nevada Day, with Democrats making a big push to catch up.
Several Democrats who appeared headed for victory could face GOP upsets if Republicans hold the lead, including U.S. Rep. Steven Horsford, D-Nev., who is being challenged by Assemblyman Cresent Hardy in the 4th Congressional District.
Republicans also could prevail in close contests for attorney general, secretary of state, treasurer and controller.
In the lieutenant governor’s race, state Sen. Mark Hutchison, R-Las Vegas, is running comfortably ahead of his Democratic opponent, Assemblywoman Lucy Flores of Las Vegas, according to early voting numbers and polls.
Flores is among Democratic candidates scheduled to appear with Biden and Longoria. Horsford also is set to take part in the rally, which comes four days after former President Bill Clinton rallied Democrats in Las Vegas. U.S. Rep. Dina Titus, D-Nev., who is expected to win re-election to her Democrat-heavy 1st Congressional District, will also be on hand.
In their drive toward Election Day, Democrats are especially targeting Hispanics and union members, two constituencies that have been loyal to the party and could make the difference in key races if they turn out in greater numbers.
The GOP early lead has put Republicans in a good position to take control of the Nevada Senate, which Democrats lead now with a 11-10 seat advantage.
Republicans also are eyeing taking over the Assembly, although the possibility remains a long shot unless the Democrats collapse on Election Day in the low turnout midterm election. The GOP would need to pick up seven seats in the Assembly, now controlled by Democrats with a 27-15 seat advantage.
Midterm elections often have low turnouts because there is no presidential contest in the ballot. This year in Nevada no U.S. Senate seat is at stale either.
At the top of the ticket, Republican Gov. Brian Sandoval is headed toward an easy re-election, facing a little know Bob Goodman after Democrats failed to recruit a top tier challenger.
Saturday’s rally is open to the public.
Contact Laura Myers at lmyers@reviewjournal.com or 702-387-2919. Find her on Twitter: @lmyerslvrj.
