For three straight cycles, Republicans have come close in Nevada’s 3rd Congressional District. Each time, Susie Lee squeaks by while national Democrats pour millions into protecting one of their most vulnerable seats.
The margins tell the story: 9 points in 2018, just 3 points in 2020, 4 points in 2022, and barely 1 point in 2024. The trend is clear. CD-3 is ripe for flipping in 2026.
This District Is Winnable
The Cook Political Report rates CD-3 as D+1, meaning it leans Democratic by just one percentage point. That’s not a stronghold. That’s a toss-up where the right Republican can win.
The district went for Trump in 2016. Voters here are practical, not ideological. They care about jobs, the economy, and whether Washington works for them.
Follow The Money
Lee sits on House Appropriations, making her a magnet for special interest cash. In 2024, she raised $5.7 million compared to her Republican challenger’s $1.3 million.
The Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee designated her a “Frontline” candidate, giving her access to party resources. In 2022, outside groups dumped over $28 million into Southern Nevada House races, with CD-3 getting the biggest share.
Democrats know this seat is vulnerable. That’s why they keep writing seven-figure checks to save it.
The 2026 Republican Field
This time around, Republicans have several candidates vying to take on Lee. The most notable is Jeff Gunter, the former ambassador to Iceland under President Trump. Gunter ran unsuccessfully for Senate in 2024 but has now shifted his focus to the House race. He’s already loaned his campaign $750,000, showing he’s willing to self-fund.
Gunter is running on border security, energy independence, and “America First” policies. His Senate campaign showed he can spend big money on ads and isn’t afraid to go on the attack.
Video game composer Marty O’Donnell is making his second run at the seat after coming in fourth in the 2024 primary with 21 percent. O’Donnell had Governor Joe Lombardo’s endorsement last cycle and loaned himself $500,000. He’s announced he’ll drop out if Trump endorses someone else, saying “we have a country to save” and shouldn’t waste resources on Republican infighting.
O’Donnell’s message focuses on working families, attacking “special interests and big corporations rigging the system.” His campaign emphasizes that “one good job should be enough” to support a family.
Other candidates include attorney Christopher Brandlin and Lucena Parker. The primary is still taking shape, with the filing deadline not until March 2026.
The fundraising gap remains massive. Lee ended 2025 with a substantial war chest, while Republicans are largely self-funding. Gunter’s $750,000 loan and O’Donnell’s willingness to spend his own money show they understand they need resources to compete, but they’ll need much more to overcome Lee’s fundraising machine and Democratic super PAC support.
The Out-of-Touch Problem
While working families struggle with inflation and rising costs, Lee has been playing the stock market.
Her disclosures show net worth between $8 million and $21 million. Over $10 million in stock trades since taking office. She violated the STOCK Act more than 200 times by failing to disclose trades worth up to $3.3 million.
In May 2024, while sitting on the Defense Subcommittee that decides which companies get military contracts, someone connected to Lee purchased stock in Rheinmetall, a German arms manufacturer. The stock has soared since then.
Her excuse? She doesn’t control the account. But voters see through that. If you wouldn’t want conflicts of interest in your own job, why should members of Congress get a pass?
What Voters Need
CD-3 voters need someone who gets what it’s like to worry about filling your gas tank and feeding your family. Not another multimillionaire playing the market while pretending to understand their struggles.
The message for 2026: Susie Lee isn’t just wealthy. She’s using her position to get wealthier while you struggle. That’s not representation.
Why This Race Matters
The fundamentals favor Republicans. Trump carried this district. Margins shrink every cycle. But it takes the right candidate with a clear contrast: someone running to serve, not profit.
Gunter and O’Donnell both bring resources, but they need to focus relentlessly on Lee’s ethics and her disconnect from working families. This seat is winnable if Republicans nominate someone who can prosecute that case without getting sidetracked.
Time to stop coming close. Time to actually win.
The opinions expressed by contributors are their own and do not necessarily represent the views of Nevada News & Views. This article was written with the assistance of AI. Please verify information and consult additional sources as needed.
