Republican Lydia Dominguez stepped back from her bid for Nevada’s Third Congressional District on Tuesday, leaving a packed field of conservatives still fighting for the chance to take on Democrat Susie Lee in 2026.
The Clark County School Board member announced her withdrawal after what she called “prayer and reflection,” ending a campaign that launched just three months ago in September. The Air Force veteran and mother of two had positioned herself as an education-focused candidate who could bring fresh conservative leadership to Washington.
From School Board to Campaign Trail
Dominguez had just taken her seat on the Clark County School Board this January when she decided to jump into the congressional race.
The former military flight chief who served ten years in the Air Force brought a compelling personal story – a naturalized citizen who became an American at age 14, a single mom raising kids in local schools, and an author who wrote a survival guide for women escaping domestic violence.
“This campaign has been an incredible experience,” Dominguez said in her statement Tuesday.
“I have had the chance to meet people all across Southern Nevada, hear their stories, and talk honestly about the challenges our families and communities are facing at the federal level.”
Her campaign had focused on bread-and-butter conservative issues that resonate with limited-government voters.
She promised to support term limits for Congress, oppose tax increases on working families, and back a balanced budget amendment. She also wanted to ban lawmakers from trading stocks while in office – a position that’s gaining steam among conservatives tired of politicians getting rich off insider information.
A Crowded Conservative Field
The Third District race was already getting crowded when Dominguez jumped in, and it’s only gotten more competitive since.
Video game composer Marty O’Donnell, who finished fourth in the 2024 primary, is back for another shot and has already put a million dollars of his own money into the race. He’s got Governor Joe Lombardo’s endorsement this time around.
The field also includes former Las Vegas mayoral candidate Tera Anderson, Dr. Aury Nagy, and several other Republicans, all hoping to be the one who finally flips this seat.
It’s been a white whale for Nevada Republicans – they keep getting close but can’t quite seal the deal. April Becker lost by just 4 points in 2022. Drew Johnson came within 3 points in 2024.
What makes this race especially interesting for conservatives is that President Trump actually won this district in November, even as Susie Lee held onto her seat. That split result has Republicans thinking the right candidate with the right message could finally break through.
What Critics Were Saying
Dominguez had faced some pushback over her past ties to Moms for Liberty, the conservative parents’ rights group that’s been active in school board politics.
She withdrew her membership from the local chapter back in August when running for school board, saying she wanted to represent all families. Democrats were already preparing to use that connection against her, seeing it as too controversial for a swing district.
Her critics also questioned whether a brand-new school board member should be jumping straight to Congress before finishing what she started locally. The Clark County School District faces serious challenges with budgets and academic performance, issues Dominguez had promised to tackle when voters elected her just two months ago.
Looking Ahead
Dominguez says she’ll continue her work in education and stay focused on improving schools, supporting parents and teachers, and strengthening the community. For conservatives who liked her message, there’s still a crowded field of candidates carrying similar themes about limiting government and supporting families.
The Republican primary isn’t until June 2026, giving the remaining candidates plenty of time to make their case. With official filing not opening until March 2026, we might even see more candidates jump in – or drop out – before voters get their say.
For limited-government conservatives watching this race, the question remains whether any Republican can capitalize on Trump’s victory in the district and finally flip this seat. The fact that established politicians, political newcomers, and everyone in between keeps trying shows they believe it’s possible. But as Dominguez’s exit shows, believing you can win and actually building a winning campaign are two different things.
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