During the legislative session, some Nevada Republicans just broke ranks with their own party. They voted yes on bills that most other Republicans said no to.
This matters because it shows cracks in the party. And for folks who believe in limited government and conservative values, it raises a big question: Are our representatives actually fighting for what we elected them to do?
The Numbers Tell a Story
Of the more than 15,000 individual votes cast by the 23 Republican lawmakers, 408 votes were in support of bills that the majority of their party opposed. That’s about one in every 37 votes where a Republican said “yes” when most of their team said “no.”
Think about it this way. If your church group agreed to oppose a new tax but three members voted for it anyway, you’d wonder what happened. That’s the situation Nevada conservatives face today.
The median legislator bucked their party six times this session. Some did it way more than that.
The Biggest Party-Buckers
Two Republican senators from Las Vegas led the pack. Sens. John Steinbeck (R-Las Vegas) and Lori Rogich (R-Las Vegas), two freshman senators who established themselves throughout the session as most willing to divert from their caucus.
Senator Steinbeck voted against his party 51 times. That’s more than any other lawmaker in the whole state. He supported things like requiring insurance to cover expensive fertility treatments. He also backed a bill to let courts outside Carson City handle election disputes.
“I’m not concerned with ideology,” Steinbeck said. “I’m concerned with the results.” That sounds nice, but many conservatives wonder: What about the principles we voted for?
Senator Rogich went against her party 47 times. She was the only Republican to vote for a bill protecting illegal immigrants in schools and churches from federal agents.
Why This Matters to Conservatives
Here’s the thing that should worry limited government folks. These Republicans voted for bills that expand government power and spending. They supported new regulations on businesses. They backed more protections that cost taxpayers money.
When we elect Republicans, we expect them to vote like Republicans. We want them to say no to bigger government. We want them to protect our wallets from higher taxes and fees.
But Democrats hold significant majorities in both chambers, which allow them to decide which bills are put up for a floor vote. This means Democrats control what gets voted on. Republicans who break ranks give Democrats the votes they need to pass liberal bills.
Assembly member Gregory Koenig from Fallon bucked his party 28 times. He voted to recognize “Muslim American Heritage Month” and “Menopause Awareness Month.” While these might seem harmless, they show government getting involved in things that used to be private matters.
“I think a lot of the people want to vote no unless they have a good reason to vote yes,” Koenig said. But conservatives believe the opposite. Government should only act when absolutely necessary.
What Critics Are Saying
Some people defend these Republicans. They say politicians should think for themselves. They argue that blind party loyalty is bad for democracy.
Others point out that these Republicans represent districts with more Democrats and independents. Maybe they’re just trying to get reelected.
But conservatives see a different problem. We have a governor who can veto bad bills. Lombardo vetoed during the 2023 Legislative Session a record 75 bills. When Republicans vote with Democrats, they make it easier for liberal policies to pass. They weaken the governor’s ability to stop big government expansion.
The Bigger Picture
Nevada is becoming more like California every year. Thirty percent of the active voters in Nevada are registered as Democrat while 29 percent are registered as Republican and yet 65 percent of Nevada lawmakers represent the Democratic Party. This shows how the system is already stacked against conservatives.
When our own Republicans start voting like Democrats, we lose even more ground. It makes it harder to fight for school choice, lower taxes, and less regulation.
The 2025 session saw fights over important conservative issues. There were battles over election integrity, education reform, and government spending. Every Republican vote mattered in these fights.
What Happens Next
The 2027 elections are coming. Conservative voters need to pay attention to how their representatives actually voted. Don’t just listen to what they say during campaign season. Look at their voting records.
Primary elections matter more than ever. If current Republicans won’t fight for conservative values, maybe it’s time to find new ones who will.
Grassroots groups need to stay engaged. Attend town halls. Ask tough questions. Make sure your representatives know you’re watching.
The bottom line is simple. We elect Republicans to act like Republicans. When they don’t, conservatives lose. The government gets bigger. Our taxes go up. Our freedoms get smaller.
Nevada conservatives can’t afford to have Republicans who vote like Democrats. The stakes are too high. Our state’s future depends on having representatives who will actually fight for the principles they claim to believe in.
This article was written with the assistance of AI. Please verify information and consult additional sources as needed.
