Poor Dina Titus.
You’d think being a long-time Democrat congresswoman in Nevada would be as cozy as an air-conditioned slot room at Caesars.
But thanks to her own party’s redistricting blunder, she’s now got the political stability of a three-legged barstool on a bumpy country road.
In addition to political reasons, I’ve already explained in Part 1 of this series why I have a particular personal interest in Titus’ 2026 bid for re-election.
And here’s why I think her days might very well finally be numbered this election cycle.
Let’s get this out of the way: Titus did win in 2024.
But she did it with a smaller margin than usual – and a whole lot more sweat. And now, heading into 2026, she’s in the most vulnerable spot of her career.
Why? Because her own team stabbed her in the back — and she knows it.
Remember when Titus told a room full of union folks that she got “totally f—ed” by the Democrat-controlled state legislature?
Yeah. That’s not Republican spin. That’s her words. Straight from the donkey’s mouth.
See, the Democrats tried to get clever after the 2020 census.
Instead of protecting their golden girl in District 1 — a district that used to be a Democrat stronghold with a heavy Hispanic base — they cracked it open like a piñata at a kid’s birthday party.
Out went the solid blue parts of Vegas. In came more conservative turf: Henderson and Boulder City.
The kind of places where people say “yes ma’am” and “no sir” and think government should stay out of their pockets and their bathrooms.
The Latino vote, once Dina’s bread and butter, dropped by about 10%.
That’s not just a rounding error — that’s a gut punch. Titus used to rely on that bloc. But now it’s scattered, cracked across districts, and not nearly as solid for her.
And here’s the kicker: the new CD1 shifted 14 points to the right. That’s not a lean. That’s a lurch.
As it stands, Democrats only hold about a 5-point registration edge over Republicans in the district. For the first time in a long time, Titus is dancing on a political landmine.
Additionally, Titus faces criticism for lackluster fundraising, with flat fundraising numbers and a rising progressive primary challenger dividing base support, which signals possible erosion in grassroots enthusiasm.
Her primary opponent from the progressive left is a 32-year-old self-described data analyst named Alex Pereszlenyi, who has gained some traction on social media and among activist circles frustrated with Titus’s perceived complacency.
Pereszlenyi is notable for symbolizing dissatisfaction within parts of the Democratic base and for starting to siphon small-dollar donations and volunteer support from Titus’s campaign.
All these factors combined present notable obstacles to Titus’s reelection prospects, demanding strong voter engagement and strategic outreach to retain the seat.
Now, Titus still has her fans. Her critics say she’s a survivor, and they’re not wrong.
But let’s be honest — 2026 ain’t looking like a Democrat-friendly year.
Midterms always drag down Democrat turnout. The young voters and casual left-leaners who come out for presidential elections tend to disappear faster than hot fries in a break room.
Meanwhile, older, fired-up Republican voters are showing up rain or shine, especially in redder areas like Henderson and Boulder City.
Clark County turnout in 2022 dropped compared to 2020, and guess what? It’s likely to dip again in 2026. And that hurts Democrats more than it hurts Republicans.
Plus, Republicans are finally waking up to the fact that Latino voters care more about kitchen table issues than woke lectures.
They’ve been making real gains with Spanish-language outreach, faith-based organizing, and old-fashioned door knocking.
That 5-point Democrat advantage? It’s not a wall. It’s a speed bump.
And let’s not forget the rising tide of nonpartisan voters either. They make up a good chunk of the district, and they don’t always lean blue.
In midterms, these folks often sit out or tilt conservative. Not great news for Dina.
Oh, and one more thing: When a politician trashes her own party’s redistricting in public — as Titus did — it doesn’t exactly inspire the base to come running with signs and checkbooks.
Democrats may vote for her out of habit, but don’t count on them to knock doors with the same gusto.
Bottom line? Dina Titus is in trouble.
She’s still the incumbent, sure. She’s still got name ID and money. But she’s no longer in a safe seat.
If Republicans can find a decent, hardworking, common-sense candidate who can talk about freedom, fixing the economy, crime, illegal immigration, and local issues — instead of just shouting “MAGA!” into the void — this race is ripe for flipping.
Because when your own party redraws your district and you say they “f—ed” you…
Well, you’re not exactly walking into 2026 with wind at your back.
And if I were running her campaign? I’d be sweating through my socks.
In Part 3, I’ll give my assessment of the upcoming GOP primary for this seat. Stay tuned, Batfans!
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.
