(Bobby Khan) – Let me save you a lot of time.
Republicans in Nevada’s 1st Congressional District have one job in 2026: Pick someone who can beat Dina Titus.
That’s it. That’s the assignment.
And if you hand that nomination to Carrie Buck, you might as well send Titus a fruit basket and a “Congratulations” card right now.
Yeah, yeah . . . on paper, Buck’s got the shiny campaign bio.
State senator, ex-principal, Trump platform, reformer. Looks good on paper.
But politics ain’t Tinder. You don’t swipe right because the profile picture looks nice.
You dig into the history. You find the bruises, the blunders, the times they got in the ring and came out face-down on the mat.
So let’s talk about Buck’s actual record.
Because Titus will. And so will every Democrat with a checkbook and a TV ad budget.
The Legislator Who Couldn’t Land a Single Punch
In the 2021, 2023, and 2025 sessions of the Nevada Legislature, Buck pulled off something special:
She’s the only Republican in the state Senate who didn’t pass a single sponsored bill.
Her excuse? “Democrats blocked me.”
But that’s like a boxer saying, “I lost because the other guy kept punching me.”
Yeah. That’s how boxing works.
You’re not elected to “try.” You’re elected to score wins.
And if she couldn’t get it done in Carson City, Titus will hammer home the obvious:
“If Buck can’t get anything done here, what’s she gonna do in D.C.?”
The Abortion Vote That Sliced Her Base in Half
In 2023, Buck voted to protect out-of-state abortion seekers.
To pro-lifers, that’s a big red flag.
And Titus won’t have to lift a finger to make sure those voters sit home in November.
Buck already lit the fuse herself.
The “Sorry” Text That’ll Haunt Her Forever
Remember the failed 2017 Republican recall of Democrat Joyce Woodhouse?
Buck was the replacement candidate. The recall flopped.
And then?
Buck texted Woodhouse an apology – and asked for a job recommendation!
That’s not strategy. That’s surrender.
And in politics, weakness is like blood in the water. Your opponents smell it and start sharpening knives.
The GOP Civil War She Lost – Badly
In 2021, the Clark County GOP had a big fight for chairman: Jesse Law (backed by the Nevada GOP brass) vs. Carrie Buck.
Buck’s side formed a nonprofit with the same name as the county party to grab control of assets.
Law’s side called it deceptive. Lawsuits flew. The Republican National Committee stepped in and sided against Buck.
Courts did too.
She lost. The party was split. And MAGA activists still don’t trust her.
You think they’re going to knock on doors for her next year? Forget it.
Even Her “Safe Ground” Became a Food Fight
As principal at Pinecrest Academy, she got into a public feud with a conservative think tank journalist over recess rules.
If recess can be turned into a political knife fight, what do you think Dina Titus will do to Sen. Buck over abortion, spending, or border security?
The Homeschool Landmine
Privately, Buck reportedly has said she’s no fan of homeschooling.
Thinks too many parents can’t handle it. Don’t have education degrees.
To my knowledge, she’s never said it publicly.
But in today’s GOP, that could be a career-ender if it leaks (oops).
The “School Choice” Mirage
Sen. Buck talks a big game on school choice.
But she hasn’t sponsored a single bill for vouchers or Education Savings Accounts (ESAs).
Public charter schools? Sure.
Private schools and homeschoolers? Crickets.
The Titus Test
Titus is a political survivor with the Vegas machine behind her, national cash, and name recognition you can’t buy.
If Sen. Buck makes the general, Titus will hit her with:
- No results (no bills passed)
- Divisive (GOP civil war)
- Principles in question (abortion vote)
- Weakness under fire (Woodhouse apology)
- Alienated base (MAGA, pro-life, homeschoolers)
That’s not speculation. It’s a playbook already written.
Titus just has to press “send.”
The Bottom Line for Primary Voters
You don’t have to hate Carrie Buck. You just have to want to win.
Nominate her, and you’re picking:
- A fractured base.
- A candidate who loses political fights.
- A resume Titus can use as a baseball bat.
This general election will be a street fight.
And you don’t send in a fighter who’s already bleeding from six self-inflicted wounds.
If Republicans are serious about flipping this seat, they need a nominee who can take a punch – as well as land one.
But the only shots Sen. Buck has landed are in her own corner.
And Titus is licking her chops.
Mr. Khan is a Republican candidate for Nevada’s 1st congressional district. The opinions expressed by contributors are their own and do not necessarily represent the views of Nevada News & Views.
