GOP taps Tarkanian over Roberson in 3rd Congressional District primary
June 14, 2016 - 11:46 pm

Republican Congressional District 3 candidate Danny Tarkanian is shown during his election night gathering at Born and Raised in Las Vegas on Tuesday, June 14, 2016. (Richard Brian/Las Vegas Review-Journal)

Republican Congressional District 3 candidate Danny Tarkanian hugs his son Jerry, 6, during his election night gathering at Born and Raised in Las Vegas on Tuesday, June 14, 2016. (Richard Brian/Las Vegas Review-Journal)

Republican Congressional District 3 candidate Danny Tarkanian, left, is greeted by Norm Ross during his election night gathering at Born and Raised in Las Vegas on Tuesday, June 14, 2016. (Richard Brian/Las Vegas Review-Journal)

Democratic Congressional District 4 candidate Ruben Kihuen talks, left, with Democratic Congressional District 3 candidate Jacky Rosen during his election night watch party at Culinary Workers Union Local 226 in Las Vegas on Tuesday, June 14, 2016. (Loren Townsley/Las Vegas Review-Journal)

Republican Congressional District 3 candidate Danny Tarkanian embraces a supporter during his election night gathering at Born and Raised in Las Vegas on Tuesday, June 14, 2016. (Richard Brian/Las Vegas Review-Journal)

Republican Congressional District 3 candidate Danny Tarkanian, left, looks at campaign results with Jamie Fisfis during his election night gathering at Born and Raised in Las Vegas on Tuesday, June 14, 2016. (Richard Brian/Las Vegas Review-Journal)

Republican Congressional District 3 candidate Danny Tarkanian, left, looks at campaign results with campaign assistant Judy Flynn during his election night gathering at Born and Raised in Las Vegas on Tuesday, June 14, 2016. (Richard Brian/Las Vegas Review-Journal)

Amy Tarkanian, left, wife of Republican Congressional District 3 candidate Danny Tarkanian and her friend Jamie Brashaw check for campaign result updates during Tarkanian's election night gathering at Born and Raised in Las Vegas on Tuesday, June 14, 2016. (Richard Brian/Las Vegas Review-Journal)

Supporters of Republican Congressional District 3 candidate Danny Tarkanian wait for results during his election night gathering at Born and Raised in Las Vegas on Tuesday, June 14, 2016. (Richard Brian/Las Vegas Review-Journal)

Republican Congressional District 3 candidate Danny Tarkanian meets with supporters during his election night gathering at Born and Raised in Las Vegas on Tuesday, June 14, 2016. (Richard Brian/Las Vegas Review-Journal)

Democratic Congressional District 4 candidate Ruben Kihuen celebrates during his election night watch party at Culinary Workers Union Local 226 in Las Vegas on Tuesday, June 14, 2016. (Loren Townsley/Las Vegas Review-Journal)

Democratic Congressional District 4 candidate Ruben Kihuen thanks his father, Armando Kihuen during his election night watch party at Culinary Workers Union Local 226 in Las Vegas on Tuesday, June 14, 2016. (Loren Townsley/Las Vegas Review-Journal)

Democratic Congressional District 4 candidate Ruben Kihuen thanks his father, Armando Kihuen during his election night watch party at Culinary Workers Union Local 226 in Las Vegas on Tuesday, June 14, 2016. (Loren Townsley/Las Vegas Review-Journal)

Democratic Congressional District 4 candidate Ruben Kihuen thanks his mother, Blanca Kihuen during his election night watch party at Culinary Workers Union Local 226 in Las Vegas on Tuesday, June 14, 2016. (Loren Townsley/Las Vegas Review-Journal)

Democratic Congressional District 4 candidate Ruben Kihuen thanks his mother, Blanca Kihuen during his election night watch party at Culinary Workers Union Local 226 in Las Vegas on Tuesday, June 14, 2016. (Loren Townsley/Las Vegas Review-Journal)

Audience members cheer during emocratic Congressional District 4 candidate Ruben Kihuen's election night watch party at Culinary Workers Union Local 226 in Las Vegas on Tuesday, June 14, 2016. (Loren Townsley/Las Vegas Review-Journal)

Democratic Congressional District 4 candidate Ruben Kihuen celebrates during his election night watch party at Culinary Workers Union Local 226 in Las Vegas on Tuesday, June 14, 2016. (Loren Townsley/Las Vegas Review-Journal)

Democratic Congressional District 4 candidate Ruben Kihuen celebrates during his election night watch party at Culinary Workers Union Local 226 in Las Vegas on Tuesday, June 14, 2016. (Loren Townsley/Las Vegas Review-Journal)

Democratic Congressional District 4 candidate Ruben Kihuen celebrates during his election night watch party at Culinary Workers Union Local 226 in Las Vegas on Tuesday, June 14, 2016. (Loren Townsley/Las Vegas Review-Journal)

Silvia Buenrostro dances during Democratic Congressional District 4 candidate Ruben Kihuen's election night watch party at Culinary Workers Union Local 226 in Las Vegas on Tuesday, June 14, 2016.Tuesday, June 14, 2016, in Las Vegas. (Loren Townsley/Las Vegas Review-Journal)

Diana Thomas dances during Democratic Congressional District 4 candidate Ruben Kihuen's election night watch party at Culinary Workers Union Local 226 in Las Vegas on Tuesday, June 14, 2016.Tuesday, June 14, 2016, in Las Vegas. (Loren Townsley/Las Vegas Review-Journal)

Democratic Congressional District 4 candidate Ruben Kihuen hugs Democratic Congressional District 3 candidate Jacky Rosen during his election night watch party at Culinary Workers Union Local 226 in Las Vegas on Tuesday, June 14, 2016. (Loren Townsley/Las Vegas Review-Journal)

Democratic Congressional District 4 candidate Ruben Kihuen thanks Sen. Mo Dennis during his election night watch party at Culinary Workers Union Local 226 in Las Vegas on Tuesday, June 14, 2016. (Loren Townsley/Las Vegas Review-Journal)

Democratic Congressional District 4 candidate Ruben Kihuen's girlfriend, Claritssa Sanchez, cheers during Ruben's election night watch party at Culinary Workers Union Local 226 in Las Vegas on Tuesday, June 14, 2016. (Loren Townsley/Las Vegas Review-Journal)

Democratic Congressional District 4 candidate Ruben Kihuen speaks during his election night watch party at Culinary Workers Union Local 226 in Las Vegas on Tuesday, June 14, 2016. (Loren Townsley/Las Vegas Review-Journal)

Audience members cheer during Democratic Congressional District 4 candidate Ruben Kihuen's election night watch party at Culinary Workers Union Local 226 in Las Vegas on Tuesday, June 14, 2016. (Loren Townsley/Las Vegas Review-Journal)

Democratic Congressional District 4 candidate Susie Lee thanks her high school interns after losing in the primary elections during her election watch party at Saffron Flavors of India in Las Vegas Tuesday evening, June 14, 2016. Elizabeth Brumley/Las Vegas Review-Journal Follow @elipagephoto

Democratic Congressional District 4 candidate Susie Lee thanks her high school interns after losing in the primary elections during her election watch party at Saffron Flavors of India in Las Vegas Tuesday evening, June 14, 2016. Elizabeth Brumley/Las Vegas Review-Journal Follow @elipagephoto

Supporters of Democratic Congressional District 4 candidate Susie Lee listen as Lee shares a story of door to door campaigning tearfully after losing primary elections during her election watch party at Saffron Flavors of India in Las Vegas Tuesday evening, June 14, 2016. Elizabeth Brumley/Las Vegas Review-Journal Follow @elipagephoto

Democratic Congressional District 4 candidate Susie Lee shares a story of door to door campaigning tearfully with her son Cody Lee, left, and daughter Nevada Lee, right, after losing primary elections during her election watch party at Saffron Flavors of India in Las Vegas Tuesday evening, June 14, 2016. Elizabeth Brumley/Las Vegas Review-Journal Follow @elipagephoto

Democratic Congressional District 4 candidate Susie Lee shares a story of door to door campaigning tearfully with her son Cody Lee, left, and daughter Nevada Lee, right, after losing primary elections during her election watch party at Saffron Flavors of India in Las Vegas Tuesday evening, June 14, 2016. Elizabeth Brumley/Las Vegas Review-Journal Follow @elipagephoto

Democratic Congressional District 4 candidate Susie Lee gets consoled by her friend after losing primary elections during her election watch party at Saffron Flavors of India in Las Vegas Tuesday evening, June 14, 2016. Elizabeth Brumley/Las Vegas Review-Journal Follow @elipagephoto

Democratic Congressional District 4 candidate Ruben Kihuen speaks during his election night watch party at Culinary Workers Union Local 226 in Las Vegas on Tuesday, June 14, 2016. Loren Townsley/Las Vegas Review-Journal

Democratic Congressional District 4 candidate Susie Lee gets a photo taken with her high school interns after losing primary elections during her election watch party at Saffron Flavors of India in Las Vegas Tuesday evening, June 14, 2016. Elizabeth Brumley/Las Vegas Review-Journal Follow @elipagephoto

Democratic Congressional District 4 candidate Susie Lee is greeted during her election watch party at Saffron Flavors of India in Las Vegas Tuesday evening, June 14, 2016. Elizabeth Brumley/Las Vegas Review-Journal Follow @elipagephoto

Democratic Congressional District 4 candidate Lucy Flores gives her concession speech during her election night party at Aces & Ales on Tuesday, June 14, 2016, in Las Vegas. (Erik Verduzco/Las Vegas Review-Journal) Follow @Erik_Verduzcoon

Loretta Harper cheers at the Democratic Congressional District 4 candidate Ruben Kihuen's election night watch party at Culinary Workers Union Local 226 in Las Vegas on Tuesday, June 14, 2016.Tuesday, June 14, 2016, in Las Vegas. Loren Townsley/Las Vegas Review-Journal Follow @lorentownsley

Democratic congressional candidate Ruben Kihuen, right, gets a high-five from volunteer Avyon Pearson after a successful phone call at a campaign office Tuesday, June 14, 2016, in Las Vegas. David Becker/Las Vegas Review-Journal Follow @davidjaybecker

Democratic Congressional District 4 candidate Lucy Flores, left, hugs her niece Vivian Flores after giving her concession speech during her election night party at Aces & Ales on Tuesday, June 14, 2016, in Las Vegas. (Erik Verduzco/Las Vegas Review-Journal) Follow @Erik_Verduzco

Democratic congressional candidate Ruben Kihuen, center, speaks with volunteers at a campaign office Tuesday, June 14, 2016, in Las Vegas. David Becker/Las Vegas Review-Journal Follow @davidjaybecker

Democratic congressional candidate Ruben Kihuen, right, works with volunteer Avyon Pearson, left, and his deputy finance director Sam Rivers at a campaign office Tuesday, June 14, 2016, in Las Vegas. David Becker/Las Vegas Review-Journal Follow @davidjaybecker

Democratic congressional candidate Ruben Kihuen makes a phone call from his campaign office Tuesday, June 14, 2016, in Las Vegas. David Becker/Las Vegas Review-Journal Follow @davidjaybecker

Democratic congressional candidate Ruben Kihuen, right, makes phone calls with volunteer Avyon Pearson at a campaign office Tuesday, June 14, 2016, in Las Vegas. David Becker/Las Vegas Review-Journal Follow @davidjaybecker

Democratic congressional candidate Ruben Kihuen reacts after making a phone call from his campaign office Tuesday, June 14, 2016, in Las Vegas. David Becker/Las Vegas Review-Journal Follow @davidjaybecker

Democratic Congressional District 4 candidate Susie Lee is greeted during her election watch party at Saffron Flavors of India in Las Vegas Tuesday evening, June 14, 2016. (Elizabeth Brumley//Las Vegas Review-Journal @elipagephoto

Democratic congressional candidate Ruben Kihuen smiles as he makes phone calls from his campaign office Tuesday, June 14, 2016, in Las Vegas. David Becker/Las Vegas Review-Journal Follow @davidjaybecker

Mariana Kihuen, sister of Democratic Congressional District 4 candidate Ruben Kihuen celebrates with supporters during election night watch party at Culinary Workers Union Local 226 in Las Vegas on Tuesday, June 14, 2016.Tuesday, June 14, 2016, in Las Vegas. Loren Townsley/Las Vegas Review-Journal Follow @lorentownsley

Supporters cheers at the Democratic Congressional District 4 candidate Ruben Kihuen's election night watch party at Culinary Workers Union Local 226 in Las Vegas on Tuesday, June 14, 2016.Tuesday, June 14, 2016, in Las Vegas. Loren Townsley/Las Vegas Review-Journal Follow @lorentownsley

Blanca Kihuen, mother of Democratic Congressional District 4 candidate Ruben Kihuen speaks with supporters during election night watch party at Culinary Workers Union Local 226 in Las Vegas on Tuesday, June 14, 2016.Tuesday, June 14, 2016, in Las Vegas. Loren Townsley/Las Vegas Review-Journal Follow @lorentownsley

Mariana Kihuen, sister of Democratic Congressional District 4 candidate Ruben Kihuen awaits news during election night watch party at Culinary Workers Union Local 226 in Las Vegas on Tuesday, June 14, 2016.Tuesday, June 14, 2016, in Las Vegas. Loren Townsley/Las Vegas Review-Journal Follow @lorentownsley

Armando Kihuen, father of Democratic Congressional District 4 candidate Ruben Kihuen awaits news during election night watch party at Culinary Workers Union Local 226 in Las Vegas on Tuesday, June 14, 2016.Tuesday, June 14, 2016, in Las Vegas. Loren Townsley/Las Vegas Review-Journal Follow @lorentownsley

Staff members including campaign manager Antonio Valdovinos, right, react as early results show Democratic Congressional District 4 candidate Lucy Flores trailing in second place behind Ruben Kihuen at her election night party at Aces & Ales on Tuesday, June 14, 2016, in Las Vegas. Erik Verduzco/Las Vegas Review-Journal Follow @Erik_Verduzco

Democratic Congressional District 4 candidate Lucy Flores embraces her nephew Sean Andrew Bleu Bordens as she speaks to supporters during her election night party at Aces & Ales on Tuesday, June 14, 2016, in Las Vegas. Erik Verduzco/Las Vegas Review-Journal Follow @Erik_Verduzcoon

Democratic Congressional District 4 candidate Lucy Flores speaks to supporters during her election night party at Aces & Ales on Tuesday, June 14, 2016, in Las Vegas. Erik Verduzco/Las Vegas Review-Journal Follow @Erik_Verduzcoon

Democratic Congressional District 4 candidate Lucy Flores speaks to supporters during her election night party at Aces & Ales on Tuesday, June 14, 2016, in Las Vegas. Erik Verduzco/Las Vegas Review-Journal Follow @Erik_Verduzcoon

Democratic Congressional District 3 candidate Jesse Sbaih hugs his wife Sameera during a a campaign event at Origin India Restaurant in Las Vegas on Tuesday, June 14, 2016. Joshua Dahl/Las Vegas Review-Journal

Steven Conger Jr., assistant campaign manager, from left, Sameera Sbaih, Democratic Congressional District 3 candidate Jesse Sbaih, and campaign manager Angie Morelli look at election results during a campaign event at Origin India Restaurant in Las Vegas on Tuesday, June 14, 2016. Joshua Dahl/Las Vegas Review-Journal

Steven Conger Jr., assistant campaign manager, from left, Democratic Congressional District 3 candidate Jesse Sbaih, and campaign manager Angie Morelli look at election results during a campaign event at Origin India Restaurant in Las Vegas on Tuesday, June 14, 2016. Joshua Dahl/Las Vegas Review-Journal

Democratic Congressional District 3 candidate Jesse Sbaih walks into Origin India Restaurant in Las Vegas during a campaign event on Tuesday, June 14, 2016. Joshua Dahl/Las Vegas Review-Journal

Democratic Congressional District 3 candidate Jesse Sbaih, left, and Angie Morelli, Sbaih's campaign manager, look at election results during a campaign event at Origin India Restaurant in Las Vegas on Tuesday, June 14, 2016. Joshua Dahl/Las Vegas Review-Journal

Democratic Congressional District 3 candidate Jesse Sbaih, center, watches the news for results during a campaign event at Origin India Restaurant in Las Vegas on Tuesday, June 14, 2016. Joshua Dahl/Las Vegas Review-Journal

Democratic Congressional District 4 candidate Lucy Flores gives her concession speech during her election night party at Aces & Ales on Tuesday, June 14, 2016, in Las Vegas. Erik Verduzco/Las Vegas Review-Journal Follow @Erik_Verduzcoon

A supporter of Republican Congressional District 3 candidate Danny Tarkanian during his election night gathering at Born and Raised in Las Vegas on Tuesday, June 14, 2016. (Richard Brian/Las Vegas Review-Journal)

Republican Congressional District 3 candidate Danny Tarkanian during his election night gathering at Born and Raised in Las Vegas on Tuesday, June 14, 2016. (Richard Brian/Las Vegas Review-Journal)

Poll results are seen on a phone at Republican Congressional District 3 candidate Danny Tarkanian's election night gathering at Born and Raised in Las Vegas on Tuesday, June 14, 2016. (Richard Brian/Las Vegas Review-Journal)
Republican voters tapped Danny Tarkanian in the Tuesday primaries to advance to the November general election in the open 3rd Congressional District race.
They passed over a GOP establishment contender, state Senate Majority Leader Michael Roberson, who had the endorsement of Republican Gov. Brian Sandoval.
Democratic voters, meanwhile, stayed close to the recommendations of party elders. They picked Jacky Rosen in the CD-3 race and nominated state Sen. Ruben Kihuen for a run against incumbent U.S. Rep. Cresent Hardy, R-Nev., in the 4th Congressional District. Both Rosen and Kihuen had support from powerful players within Nevada’s Democratic establishment, including U.S. Sen. Harry Reid, D-Nev., and the culinary union.
As expected in the U.S. Senate race, GOP voters picked U.S. Rep. Joe Heck, R-Nev., and Democrats backed Catherine Cortez Masto, a former Nevada attorney general. They’re running to replace Reid, who is retiring.
Here’s a look at how the races turned out:
4th Congressional District
Kihuen had received 40.1 percent of the votes, while former Assemblywoman Lucy Flores got 25.6 percent, and Susie Lee had 21 percent, with 97 percent of precincts reporting at midnight.
They were the front-runners in an eight-way primary battle to run in a seat that Democrats lost in 2014 when Republicans swept the elections in Nevada. Kihuen will face U.S. Rep. Cresent Hardy, R-Nev., who is running for a second two-year term.
“Our campaign resonated with thousands of Nevadans who are working hard every day to achieve the American Dream and they deserve representation that will fight for their values and their families,” Kihuen said in a statement.
Kihuen thanked his mentor, Reid, former President Bill Clinton, and the culinary union for their support, before turning his sights on his November opponent, Republican incumbent Cresent Hardy.
“Congressman Hardy does not represent Nevadans’ values and we will hold him accountable for his shameful record,” Kihuen said.
Hardy had 76.8 percent of the CD-4 GOP vote. He was in Washington, D.C., Tuesday and released a brief statement.
“It’s an honor to be the Republican nominee and to have kept the trust of the voters of Nevada’s 4th District. I look forward to continuing the work I have done, creating jobs, building our economy, improving transportation, protecting rural health, and preserving and strengthening our military and public safety,” he said.
Senate Race
Heck and Catherine Cortez Masto both easily advanced beyond the primaries. Cortez Masto had 80.6 percent of the Democratic vote and Heck had 64.9 percent of the Republican vote.
Both were the early favorites for their party’s nomination. It’s a U.S. Senate race that has attracted national attention, one that Republicans believe they have a chance of gaining with Reid’s departure.
Both candidates put out statements.
“This primary was about one thing: selecting the best person to beat Harry Reid’s hand-picked successor in November,” Heck said in a statement. “I’m grateful for the strong showing of support from Republicans around the state and will carry the momentum of tonight into the general election.” Heck, a doctor and a brigadier general in the Army Reserve, said he’s the “only one candidate in the race with the real world experience and proven track record of success to represent the best interests of Nevadans.”
Cortez Masto, meanwhile, thanked her supporters and took aim at Heck.
“Now, we enter the general election and the voters could not have a clearer choice in the race to be our next senator,” Cortez Masto said. “While I have a record of working with both parties to solve problems for Nevada — like passing landmark legislation to combat human trafficking and helping to deliver $1.9 billion in relief for Nevadans foreclosed upon by the big banks — my opponent, Congressman Heck, is part of the dysfunction and partisanship in Washington.”
The primary race attracted four Democratic candidates and nine Republicans, including tea party favorite Sharron Angle, who won the Republican nomination in 2010 and lost to Reid in the general election. This time, Angle got 22.8 percent of the GOP vote.
3rd Congressional District
Danny Tarkanian took 32 percent of the Republican vote in a seven-way GOP primary fight for the open 3rd Congressional District seat, according to returns with 100 percent of precincts reporting.
“We’re thrilled,” Tarkanian said late Tuesday. Tarkanian credited his volunteers and team.
“What the difference was we had a ton of people talking door-to-door,” he said, adding that his campaign withstood almost $2 million in attack ads from outside groups.
The Republican race saw a blitz of ads from state Senate Majority Leader Michael Roberson and Tarkanian, a businessman and the son of the late UNLV basketball coach Jerry Tarkanian. Roberson got 24 percent of the vote.
Jacky Rosen took a commanding lead with more than 62.2 percent of the Democratic vote in a six-way contest.
“I have an amazing team,” Rosen said in an interview. “They have worked day and night since they got here to help me get my message out.”
1st Congresstional District
U.S. Rep. Dina Titus, D-Nev., easily advanced to the general election to run for a third two-year term. She took 82.4 percent of the vote in a three-way primary race, with 100 percent of precincts reporting.
Titus will face Mary Perry in November.
In a six-way GOP primary race, Perry, an attorney, took 25.1 percent of the vote. Stephanie Carlisle got 24.8 percent. Just 27 votes separate them, based on partial returns.
2nd Congressional District
In the three-way Democratic primary in the 2nd Congressional District covering much of Northern Nevada, Chip Evans of Reno was advanced over Vance Alm and Rick Shepherd.
Evans, who was endorsed by U.S. Sen. Harry Reid, took 45.1 percent of the vote with 99 percent of precinct reporting.
He will face incumbent Rep. Mark Amodei, R-Nev. in November.
Review-Journal writer Colton Lochhead contributed to this report. Sean Whaley contributed to this report. Contact Ben Botkin at bbotkin@reviewjournal.com or 702-387-2904. Find @BenBotkin1 on Twitter.