Most candidates tiptoe into a race. Dr. Jeff Gunter kicked the door open.
This week, the physician and former U.S. Ambassador to Iceland officially entered the race for Nevada’s 3rd Congressional District with a blunt message many voters already agree with.
After four disastrous years under Biden, Washington continues to let down everyday Americans, and it’s time for someone to stand up and fight back.
“People are struggling and frustrated,” Gunter said as he kicked off his campaign. “Prices remain high thanks to four years of Bidenflation, but Democrats in Congress just shrug.”
Gunter says this frustration is precisely why he’s running.
“Crime is spreading into neighborhoods that were once safe,” he continued. “And while the border is finally under control, the fallout from Biden’s border failure lingers.”
“Democrats like Susie Lee are unwilling to support President Trump’s efforts to fix our country,” Gunter concluded. “I won’t stand by. I’ll get it done.”
That message resonates, especially in Southern Nevada.
Not Raised by Politics
Unlike most candidates, Gunter did not come up through party committees or campaign jobs.
He built a medical practice, one patient at a time. He treated families in rural communities and military families who often had nowhere else to go.
That background shapes how he talks about government.
Doctors fix problems when they show up. They do not pass the chart to someone else and hope it works out.
Gunter says Washington has been doing the opposite.
Later, Gunter served as U.S. Ambassador to Iceland under President Donald Trump.
During that time, he oversaw a $170 million embassy relocation during COVID, worked with NATO allies, and pushed back against Russian and Chinese influence in the Arctic region.
It was not a ceremonial post. It was about leverage, pressure, and results.
A Simple Checklist
Gunter’s campaign platform is not complicated.
- Lower costs
- Secure the border
- Back the police
- Support parents
- Stand with veterans
- Stop runaway spending
He says voters are tired of long white papers that never turn into action.
“Nevada needs a champion, not another politician trying to climb the ladder,” Gunter said. “I’m running because I believe in this country, I believe in this community, and I believe we can still turn this around.”
That message is aimed straight at NV-03, a district that covers parts of Las Vegas, Henderson, and fast-growing suburban neighborhoods where families feel squeezed from every direction.
What Critics Say
Democrats and some establishment Republicans argue that Gunter is too blunt and too aligned with Trump’s America First agenda.
They say voters want compromise and calm language, not confrontation.
Gunter’s response is simple. Compromise has been happening for years. Results have not.
Supporters argue that inflation, border chaos, and rising crime are not abstract issues. They show up at the kitchen table, the gas pump, and the school parking lot.
Nevada’s 3rd District is one of the most competitive seats in the state. Small shifts can decide who wins.
With President Trump back in office, Republicans are looking for members who will actually support the agenda voters sent them to Washington to deliver.
Gunter says he plans to be one of them.
“When I fight, I fight to win,” he said.
And for a lot of Nevada families, that sounds less like politics and more like overdue accountability.
For more information, visit drjeffgunter.com.
The opinions expressed by contributors are their own and do not necessarily represent the views of Nevada News & Views. Digital technology was used in the research, writing, and production of this article. Please verify information and consult additional sources as needed.
