A Doctor Turned Political Leader Returns to the Campaign Trail
Picture this: a small-town family doctor who delivered babies, treated broken bones, and knew every family in her community. Now imagine that same person fighting to slash your tax bill and get bureaucrats out of your business in Carson City.
That’s Robin Titus, and she’s running for reelection to the Nevada State Senate.
On August 19, State Sen. Robin Titus announced she’s seeking reelection to her State Senate District 17 seat, representing all of Churchill, Douglas, Esmeralda, and Lyon counties, plus western Nye County. The Smith Valley Republican is completing her first four-year term in the Senate and was minority leader during the last legislative session.
For conservatives who believe government should cut spending, reduce regulations, and stop picking winners and losers with your tax dollars, Titus represents exactly what we need more of in politics. She’s not a career politician who talks about fiscal responsibility while voting for bigger budgets. She’s a real person who ran a small business for 37 years and understands what red tape and high taxes actually cost.
Why This Race Matters for Conservatives
Titus was subsequently elected Senate Minority Leader in January 2024, making her one of the most powerful conservative voices in Nevada. The numbers tell the story: Nevada currently has 13 Democratic senators compared to only eight Republicans. In a state where Democrats control most of the political machinery, having strong conservative leaders becomes even more important.
But there’s hope on the horizon. Titus sees:
“a strong chance for the Republicans to pick up three Senate seats in southern Nevada.”
The voter demographics show opportunity too. More than 700,000 voters in Nevada align themselves as nonpartisan, while Democrats hold only a small edge over Republicans – 611,211 voters to 607,436. Each party has just a 28% share of voters, while nonpartisans lead with 36%.
Her background tells you everything about her values. She stopped delivering babies when insurance premiums were raised and she could no longer afford them. That’s not just a business decision – it’s a perfect example of how government regulations drive up costs and force doctors to cut services for regular people.
On her campaign website, Titus highlighted key conservative issues, saying :
“Nevada has one of the highest unemployment rates in the nation. It’s time to stimulate the economy by reducing taxes and regulation on small businesses.”
She knows this firsthand because:
“as a small business owner, I know what it’s like to close down business doors due to high taxes and government regulations”.
Fighting the Good Fight Against Big Government Bills
The numbers from the last legislative session tell you everything about what conservatives are up against. Titus said legislators introduced 1,232 bills and passed 536. That’s over 500 new laws and regulations hitting Nevada families and businesses in just one session.
Thankfully, Gov. Joe Lombardo stepped up. Titus noted that the governor “whipped out his pen to veto 87 bills.”
She said Lombardo:
“had concerns with Second Amendment-related bills and others that chipped away at Nevadans’ rights.”
This isn’t empty campaign rhetoric. According to Turning Point Action’s scorecard, Titus earned an 84.62 score for the 2025 legislative session, showing she consistently votes for conservative principles when it actually matters.
The conservative Nevada Policy Research Institute has tracked voting records for years. They use the same system as the National Taxpayers Union to rate lawmakers on low taxes and limited government. Their system ranks legislators on “a greater commitment to low taxes, limited, accountable government and implementation of reforms”.
Second Amendment and Law Enforcement Champion
As a longtime NRA member and proud CCW holder, Dr. Titus successfully led the fight to stop the egregious gun control bill during the last session both times the Democrats tried ramming it through. For Second Amendment supporters, this is exactly the kind of leadership we need.
As the wife of a retired Lyon County Sheriff, Dr. Titus unequivocally backs the blue and supports law enforcement and first responders. At a time when some politicians are calling to defund police, Titus stands firmly with those who keep our communities safe.
Real Issues Affecting Nevada Families
Titus isn’t just focused on political games – she’s worried about real problems hitting Nevada families. Take fuel costs, for example. “California is closing down more refineries,” she said, which drives up gas prices for everyone.
But it gets worse. Fuel prices for jets at Naval Air Station Fallon are rising, and the possible scarcity of fuel may affect military operations.
Titus asked:
“What if they can’t get fuel for those jets. What are they going do?”
When California’s environmental policies threaten Nevada’s military readiness, that’s exactly the kind of outside interference conservatives should be fighting.
Titus also mentioned that a special legislative session might be called to deal with leftover issues, including a proposal for film tax credits to help create a movie studio in Summerlin. That’s exactly the kind of corporate welfare that picks winners and losers with taxpayer money.
What’s Really at Stake in 2026
Since the legislature ended in early June, Titus has been crisscrossing her massive district.
Recently, she and Lt. Gov. Stavros Anthony traveled from “Middlegate and Ione east of Fallon to the Yomba Indian Reservation in the central part of the state.” From there, they took a dirt road through parts of Nye County to Esmeralda, the least populated county with just over 700 residents.
But Titus has a major concern about conservative turnout, she said of the 2026 elections:
“What scares me the Republicans won’t show up this time,”
This is a nonpresidential election year, when conservative voters often stay home. The stakes couldn’t be higher.
Although President Trump won’t be on the ballot, all six constitutional offices are up for election, including Gov. Lombardo and Lt. Gov. Anthony seeking reelection. Even better for conservatives, Democratic Majority Leader Nicole Cannizzaro is running for attorney general, and current Attorney General Aaron Ford is running for governor, creating open seats that Republicans can win.
For conservatives, the choice is clear. We need more people in government who actually understand what it’s like to meet a payroll, deal with endless regulations, and watch tax increases hurt their bottom line. We need fewer career politicians and more people like Robin Titus who will vote to cut spending and reduce the regulatory burden on businesses.
What Conservatives Must Do Now
The path forward is clear, but it requires action. Titus emphasized that “it has to be a statewide effort” for campaigning and getting out the vote. She briefly touched on “the need for Republicans not only to hold their legislative seats but also to gain seats currently held by Democrats.”
First, vote in 2026. Her current term ends on November 4, 2026, and this nonpresidential election is exactly when conservatives often stay home. Don’t let that happen.
Second, get involved now. With only eight Republican senators out of 21 total, every seat matters. Titus noted that statewide, “only Senate districts 14, 17 and 19 are solidly Republican.” That means Republicans need to fight for every competitive district.
Third, support the whole ticket. When Gov. Lombardo vetoed 87 bad bills last session, he proved that having conservatives in executive offices matters just as much as legislative seats.
Robin Titus has proven she’ll stand up to special interests and fight for taxpayers. In a political world full of empty promises, that’s exactly what we need more of.
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.
