Second GOP hopeful seeks Nevada’s 1st Congressional District seat

A former naval officer Tuesday became the second Republican to announce his candidacy for Nevada’s 1st Congressional District, setting up a GOP primary contest in a district dominated by Democrats.

Chris Edwards, in a written statement, said his time in the Navy gave him experience to identify problems and find solutions.

“That’s what I did as an officer in the Navy; that’s what I’ll do in Washington,” he said.

Edwards’ candidacy pits him against Miguel “Mike” Rodrigues, an elementary school principal, for the GOP nomination in the southern Nevada district, where Democrats hold a 67,000 voter registration advantage and Hispanic voters account for more than 40 percent.

Both Edwards and Rodrigues are political newcomers.

The district is currently held by Democratic Rep. Shelley Berkley, who is running for the U.S. Senate.

State Sen. Ruben Kihuen is seeking the Democratic nomination and is running against former Rep. Dina Titus. Titus served one term representing Nevada’s 3rd Congressional District before she was defeated by Republican Rep. Joe Heck in 2010.

Kihuen and Rodrigues each hope to become Nevada’s first Hispanic elected to Congress.