- NV-3 is rated Toss-up — one of the most competitive House races of the 2026 cycle.
- Democratic Rep. Susie Lee is one of the most targeted House incumbents by Republicans, who see the district as a potential pickup.
- Suburban voter realignment since 2018 has made Nevada's competitive congressional districts bellwethers for how college-educated voters respond to the national political environment.
- With Republicans holding a narrow House majority, every competitive district race contributes to whether Republicans expand their margin or Democrats recapture the chamber in 2026.
NV-3 is a genuine Toss-up. Nevada's swing toward Republicans in 2024 was one of the most dramatic state-level shifts in the country. Lee has survived multiple competitive cycles, but the state's political climate has shifted. Republicans need a strong candidate from the Henderson/Southwest Las Vegas area. Full House overview →
The Candidates
Susie Lee
Nonprofit executive and former board member. First elected 2018, re-elected multiple times. Has built a reputation as a bipartisan moderate focused on veterans' issues, healthcare, and water rights — critical in drought-stricken Nevada. The Culinary Workers Union (Nevada's dominant political force) is a major ally.
Weaknesses: Nevada's dramatic rightward shift in 2024; working-class Latino voters moving toward Republicans.
TBD Republican
Republicans have multiple strong candidates in the Las Vegas area following their statewide surge in 2024. A candidate with business background, name recognition from Clark County politics, or military service would fit the district's profile. The NRCC views this as a top national target.
Challenges: Culinary Union's organizing power; Lee's multiple-term incumbency.
District Election History
Key Issues
Gaming & Hospitality Economy
The Las Vegas economy is overwhelmingly driven by gaming, tourism, and hospitality. Economic conditions affecting visitor traffic, consumer spending, and gaming revenues directly affect the district's working-class constituents. The Culinary Workers Union represents tens of thousands of hospitality workers and is the most organized political force in the district.
Water Rights & Housing
Nevada is in a severe long-term drought. Water rights from the Colorado River are an existential issue for Las Vegas's continued growth. Housing affordability has deteriorated dramatically, with Las Vegas ranking among the most expensive metro areas for renters relative to median income. Both issues affect every constituent in the district.
Veterans & Immigration
Nevada has a large veteran population, and Lee has made veterans' issues central to her legislative agenda. Immigration is a politically charged issue: the district has significant Latino population, including both documented and undocumented workers in the hospitality industry. Trump's immigration enforcement has directly affected the Las Vegas hospitality labor market.
