Nevada Senate Majority Leader Nicole Cannizzaro is running for Attorney General in 2026, setting up a major Democratic showdown with State Treasurer Zach Conine.
But while the race doesn’t open up any easy seats for Republicans to flip, it does give them plenty to work with.
Cannizzaro just won re-election in 2024, so she keeps her Senate seat even if she loses.
And if she wins the Attorney General’s race, the Clark County Commission – which is controlled by Democrats – gets to appoint her replacement. That person must also be a Democrat.
So from a numbers standpoint, this isn’t some grand opportunity for the GOP to break the Democrat majority in the Legislature.
But that doesn’t mean there’s no opportunity at all.
Cannizzaro’s entry into the race sets up a potentially bruising Democratic primary. And while she may have the title of Majority Leader, she’s far from untouchable.
She’s never won big in her own district – always squeaking by with just over 50% of the vote.
Republicans tried to recall her in 2017, and while that effort fell short, it shows there’s long-standing frustration with her leadership.
She’s built up a big campaign war chest and has deep union support, but she’s also tied to nearly every controversial bill passed under the Democrat majority – including soft-on-crime laws that critics say helped fuel the rise in violence and homelessness on the streets of Las Vegas.
Cannizzaro leans heavily on her background as a prosecutor, but that’s a double-edged sword.
While it may play well with suburban swing voters, progressives in her party haven’t forgotten her role in pushing legislation backed by police unions, including limits on criminal justice reforms.
In a Democrat primary, that could cost her support from the far left.
Meanwhile, Conine isn’t exactly running from a position of strength either.
Yes, he’s won statewide twice. But Conine has mostly stayed out of the spotlight, and when he has spoken up, it hasn’t always worked in his favor.
He backed the use of federal COVID money for programs like rent relief and green energy spending, but critics say the programs were poorly managed and lacked transparency.
There’s also growing frustration with the state’s housing crisis, rising interest rates, and stagnant wages – issues he’s tried to address, but without much to show for it.
In a Democrat primary, Conine may try to position himself as the “business-friendly” alternative to Cannizzaro. But that’s also risky.
His ties to corporate donors and polished, consultant-style messaging could turn off the activist base that’s likely to dominate a low-turnout primary.
And in the general election? Both come with baggage.
Cannizzaro’s record as a partisan leader will make it hard for her to reach the middle.
She’s tied to bills that expanded government spending, supported late-term abortion access, and blocked election reform measures backed by Republicans.
Her messaging around “protecting Nevadans from federal overreach” is a clear swipe at Trump, which might rally Democrats – but it’ll fire up conservatives, too.
As for Conine, he’s not much of a fighter. He’s a finance guy. Calm, calculated, and cautious.
That might help in managing a checkbook, but it doesn’t inspire much confidence when it comes to law enforcement – which is what voters expect from an Attorney General.
If he’s the nominee, Republicans will hammer him on crime, border security, and his lack of prosecutorial experience.
For Republican candidate Danny Tarkanian, this dynamic presents a big chance – but also a challenge.
Tarkanian has high name recognition, but he’s lost several big races before.
If he wants to flip this one, he’ll need to do more than just point fingers. He’ll need a strong, issue-driven campaign that connects with everyday Nevadans.
Bottom line: this race won’t be handed to Republicans. But it’s winnable – if they take it seriously and expose the flaws in both Democrat candidates.
With the right message and strong grassroots energy, Nevada could see a Republican Attorney General again in 2026.
This article was written with the assistance of AI. Please verify information and consult additional sources as needed.
