Nevada's 2nd congressional district

Nevada's 2nd congressional district is a congressional district that includes the northern third of the state. It includes most of Lyon County, all of Churchill, Douglas, Elko, Eureka, Humboldt, Lander, Pershing, Storey, Washoe, and White Pine counties, as well as the state capital, Carson City. The largest city in the district is Reno, the state's third largest city. Although the district appears rural, its politics are dominated by Reno and Carson City. As of 2017, over 460,000 people reside in Washoe County alone, totaling about two-thirds of the district's population. With a Cook Partisan Voting Index rating of R+8, it is the only Republican district in Nevada.[2]

Nevada's 2nd congressional district
Map
Map
Interactive map of district boundaries. Points indicate major cities in the district with a population over 50,000, ordered by population (Reno, Sparks, and Carson City).
Representative
  Mark Amodei
RCarson City
Population (2022)791,398
Median household
income
$79,687[1]
Ethnicity
Cook PVIR+8[2]

Political history edit

The district was initially created after the redistricting cycle after the 1980 census, when Nevada was split into districts for the first time. From then until 2013, it occupied all of the state outside of Clark County. From 1993 to 2013, it also included the far northern portion of Clark County. Until 2013, it was the third-largest congressional district by land area that did not cover an entire state. Even though it lost much of its southern portion to the new 4th District after the 2010 census, it is still the fifth-largest district in the nation that does not cover an entire state.

The 2nd district has always leaned Republican. It has been represented by only four people since its creation, all Republicans. Democrats have only made four serious bids for the seat. In presidential elections, the district has historically voted Republican; George W. Bush won the district by 20 points in 2000 and 16 points in 2004. However, in the 2008 election John McCain earned only 88 votes more (out of 335,720 votes) than Barack Obama in the district.

On April 21, 2011, U.S. Senator John Ensign (R-Nev.), plagued by scandal and facing an inquiry by the Senate Ethics Committee, announced his resignation effective May 3.[3] On April 27, Governor Brian Sandoval announced he would appoint Dean Heller, the 2nd district's third-term congressman, to fill out Ensign's term in the Senate. Heller had already planned to run for the seat after Ensign announced a month earlier that he would not run for a third term. To fill the vacancy created by Heller's resignation on May 9, Sandoval was required to call a special election to be held within six months of the occurrence of the vacancy.[4]

A special election was held on September 13, 2011. Former Republican state senator Mark Amodei defeated Democratic State Treasurer Kate Marshall.[5]

Recent statewide election results edit

Election results from presidential and statewide races

Year Office Result
2016 President Trump 52.5% – 39.2%
Senator Heck 53.3% – 39.1%
2018 Senator Heller 53.7% – 42.0%
Governor Laxalt 53.7% – 40.8%
Lieutenant Governor Roberson 49.9% – 43.7%
Attorney General Duncan 54.9% – 37.9%
2020 President Trump 54.1% – 43.1%
2022 Senator Laxalt 53.9% – 42.7%
Governor Lombardo 54.2% – 41.4%
Lieutenant Governor Anthony 55.2% – 39.3%
Attorney General Chattah 48.3% – 47.5%
Results under old lines (2013-2023)
Results under old lines (2003-2013)[6]
Results under old lines (1983-1993;1993-2003)

List of members representing the district edit

Member
(Residency)
Party Years Cong
ress
Electoral history District location
District established January 3, 1983
 
Barbara Vucanovich
(Reno)
Republican January 3, 1983 –
January 3, 1997
98th
99th
100th
101st
102nd
103rd
104th
Elected in 1982.
Re-elected in 1984.
Re-elected in 1986.
Re-elected in 1988.
Re-elected in 1990.
Re-elected in 1992.
Re-elected in 1994.
Retired.
1983–1993
Carson City, Churchill, Douglas, Elko, Esmeralda, Eureka, Humboldt, Lander, Lincoln, Lyon, Mineral, Nye, Pershing, Storey, Washoe, and White Pine; part of Clark
1993–2003
Carson City, Churchill, Douglas, Elko, Esmeralda, Eureka, Humboldt, Lander, Lincoln, Lyon, Mineral, Nye, Pershing, Storey, Washoe, and White Pine; part of Clark
 
Jim Gibbons
(Reno)
Republican January 3, 1997 –
December 31, 2006
105th
106th
107th
108th
109th
Elected in 1996.
Re-elected in 1998.
Re-elected in 2000.
Re-elected in 2002.
Re-elected in 2004.
Resigned after elected Governor of Nevada.
2003–2013
 
Carson City, Churchill, Douglas, Elko, Esmeralda, Eureka, Humboldt, Lander, Lincoln, Lyon, Mineral, Nye, Pershing, Storey, Washoe, and White Pine; part of Clark
Vacant December 31, 2006 –
January 3, 2007
109th
 
Dean Heller
(Carson City)
Republican January 3, 2007 –
May 9, 2011
110th
111th
112th
Elected in 2006.
Re-elected in 2008.
Re-elected in 2010.
Resigned when appointed U.S. senator.
Vacant May 9, 2011 –
September 13, 2011
112th
 
Mark Amodei
(Carson City)
Republican September 13, 2011 –
present
112th
113th
114th
115th
116th
117th
118th
Elected to finish Heller's term.
Re-elected in 2012.
Re-elected in 2014.
Re-elected in 2016.
Re-elected in 2018.
Re-elected in 2020.
Re-elected in 2022.
2013–2023
 
Carson City, Churchill, Douglas, Elko, Eureka, Humboldt, Lander, Pershing, Storey, and Washoe; part of Lyon
2023–present
 

Carson City, Douglas, Elko, Eureka, Humboldt, Lander, Pershing, Storey, Washoe, and White Pine; parts of Churchill, Lincoln, and Lyon

Election results edit

1982 edit

1982 election[7]
Party Candidate Votes %
Republican Barbara Vucanovich 70,188 55.49
Democratic Mary Gojack 52,265 41.32
Libertarian Teresa Vuceta 4,043 3.20
Total votes 126,496 100.0
Republican win (new seat)

1984 edit

1984 election[8]
Party Candidate Votes %
Republican Barbara Vucanovich (Incumbent) 99,775 71.21
Democratic Andrew Barbano 36,130 25.79
Libertarian Dan Becan 4,201 3.00
Total votes 140,106 100.0
Republican hold

1986 edit

1986 election[9]
Party Candidate Votes %
Republican Barbara Vucanovich (Incumbent) 83,479 58.41
Democratic Pete Sferrazza 59,433 41.59
Total votes 142,912 100.0
Republican hold

1988 edit

1988 election[10]
Party Candidate Votes %
Republican Barbara Vucanovich (Incumbent) 105,981 57.26
Democratic Jim Spoo 75,163 40.61
Libertarian Kent Cromwell 3,953 2.14
Total votes 185,097 100.0
Republican hold

1990 edit

1990 election[11]
Party Candidate Votes %
Republican Barbara Vucanovich (Incumbent) 103,508 59.08
Democratic Jane Wisdom 59,581 34.01
Libertarian Dan Becan 12,120 6.92
Total votes 175,209 100.0
Republican hold

1992 edit

1992 election[12]
Party Candidate Votes %
Republican Barbara Vucanovich (Incumbent) 129,575 47.91
Democratic Pete Sferrazza 117,199 43.33
Independent American Daniel M. Hansen 13,285 4.91
Libertarian Dan Becan 7,552 2.79
Populist Don Golden 2,850 1.05
Total votes 270,461 100.0
Republican hold

1994 edit

1994 election[13]
Party Candidate Votes %
Republican Barbara Vucanovich (Incumbent) 142,202 63.50
Democratic Janet Greeson 65,390 29.20
Independent American Thomas F. Jefferson 9,615 4.29
Natural Law Lois Avery 6,725 3.00
Total votes 223,932 100.0
Republican hold

1996 edit

1996 election[14]
Party Candidate Votes %
Republican Jim Gibbons 162,310 58.56
Democratic Thomas "Spike" Wilson 97,942 35.26
Independent American Daniel M. Hansen 8,780 3.17
Natural Law Lois Avery 4,628 1.67
Libertarian Louis R. Tomburello 3,732 1.35
Total votes 277,192 100.0
Republican hold

1998 edit

1998 election[15]
Party Candidate Votes %
Republican Jim Gibbons (Incumbent) 201,623 81.05
Independent American Christopher Horne 20,738 8.34
Libertarian Louis R. Tomburello 18,561 7.46
Natural Law Robert W. Winquist 7,841 3.15
Total votes 248,763 100.0
Republican hold

2000 edit

2000 election[16]
Party Candidate Votes %
Republican Jim Gibbons (Incumbent) 229,608 64.50
Democratic Tierney Cahill 106,379 29.88
Independent American Daniel M. Hansen 5,582 1.57
Green A. Charles Laws 5,547 1.56
Libertarian Terry Savage 5,343 1.50
Citizens First Ken Brenneman 2,367 0.66
Natural Law Robert W. Winquist 1,143 0.32
Total votes 355,969 100.0
Republican hold

2002 edit

2002 election[17]
Party Candidate Votes %
Republican Jim Gibbons (Incumbent) 149,574 74.34
Democratic Travis O. Souza 40,189 19.97
Independent American Janine Hansen 7,240 3.60
Libertarian Brendan Trainor 3,413 1.70
Natural Law Robert W. Winquist 784 0.39
Total votes 201,200 100.0
Republican hold

2004 edit

2004 election[18]
Party Candidate Votes %
Republican Jim Gibbons (Incumbent) 195,466 67.15
Democratic Angie G. Cochran 79,978 27.48
Independent American Janine Hansen 10,638 3.65
Libertarian Brendan Trainor 4,997 1.72
Total votes 291,079 100.0
Republican hold

2006 edit

2006 election[19]
Party Candidate Votes %
Republican Dean Heller 117,168 50.35
Democratic Jill Derby 104,593 44.94
Independent Daniel Rosen 5,524 2.37
Independent American James C. Kroshus 5,439 2.34
Total votes 232,724 100.0
Republican hold

2008 edit

2008 election[20]
Party Candidate Votes %
Republican Dean Heller (Incumbent) 170,771 51.82
Democratic Jill Derby 136,548 41.44
Independent American John Everhart 11,179 3.39
Libertarian Sean Patrick Morse 5,740 1.74
Green Craig Bergland 5,282 1.60
Total votes 329,520 100.0
Republican hold

2010 edit

2010 election[21]
Party Candidate Votes %
Republican Dean Heller (Incumbent) 169,458 63.30
Democratic Nancy Price 87,421 32.66
Independent American Russell Best 10,829 4.05
Total votes 267,708 100.0
Republican hold

2011 (special) edit

2011 special election[22]
Party Candidate Votes %
Republican Mark Amodei 75,180 57.92
Democratic Kate Marshall 46,818 36.07
Independent Helmuth Lehmann 5,372 4.14
Independent American Timothy Fasano 2,421 1.87
Total votes 129,791
Republican hold

2012 edit

2012 election[23]
Party Candidate Votes %
Republican Mark Amodei (Incumbent) 162,213 57.63
Democratic Samuel Koepnick 102,019 36.25
Independent American Russell Best 6,051 2.15
Independent Michael Haines 11,166 3.97
Total votes 281,499 100.0
Republican hold

2014 edit

2014 election[24]
Party Candidate Votes %
Republican Mark Amodei (Incumbent) 122,402 65.73
Democratic Kristen Spees 52,016 27.93
Independent American Janine Hansen 11,792 6.33
Total votes 186,210 100.0
Republican hold

2016 edit

2016 election[25]
Party Candidate Votes %
Republican Mark Amodei (Incumbent) 182,676 58.30
Democratic H.D. "Chip" Evans 115,722 36.93
Independent American John H. Everhart 8,693 2.77
Independent Drew Knight 6,245 1.99
Total votes 313,336 100.0
Republican hold

2018 edit

2018 election
Party Candidate Votes %
Republican Mark Amodei (Incumbent) 167,435 58.2
Democratic Clint Koble 120,102 41.8
Total votes 287,537 100.0
Republican hold

2020 edit

2020 election[26]
Party Candidate Votes %
Republican Mark Amodei (incumbent) 216,078 56.5
Democratic Patricia Ackerman 155,780 40.7
Independent American Janine Hansen 10,815 2.8
Total votes 382,673 100.0
Republican hold

2022 edit

2022 election
Party Candidate Votes %
Republican Mark Amodei (incumbent) 185,467 59.7
Democratic Elizabeth Mercedes Krause 117,371 37.8
Independent American Russell Best 4,194 1.4
Libertarian Darryl Baber 3,466 1.1
Total votes 310,678 100.0
Republican hold

Historical district boundaries edit

 
2003 – 2013
 
2013 – 2023

See also edit

Notes edit

  1. ^ "My Congressional District".
  2. ^ a b "2022 Cook PVI: District Map and List". Cook Political Report. July 12, 2022. Retrieved January 10, 2023.
  3. ^ Demirjian, Karoun (April 21, 2011). "Sen. John Ensign to resign, Dean Heller likely replacement". Las Vegas Sun. Retrieved April 29, 2011.
  4. ^ Damon, Anjeanette; Demirjian, Karoun (April 28, 2011). "Dean Heller in U.S. Senate shifts landscape in state politics". Las Vegas Sun. Retrieved April 29, 2011.
  5. ^ Archived 22 October 2012 at the Wayback Machine[dead link]
  6. ^ Presidential Election Results, by district, swingstateproject.com
  7. ^ "1982 Election Results" (PDF). Retrieved November 7, 2018.
  8. ^ "1984 Election Results" (PDF). Retrieved November 7, 2018.
  9. ^ "1986 Election Results" (PDF). Retrieved November 7, 2018.
  10. ^ "1988 Election Results" (PDF). Retrieved November 7, 2018.
  11. ^ "1990 Election Results" (PDF). Retrieved November 7, 2018.
  12. ^ 1992 Election Results
  13. ^ "1994 Election Results" (PDF). Retrieved November 7, 2018.
  14. ^ 1996 Election Results
  15. ^ "1998 Election Results" (PDF). Retrieved November 7, 2018.
  16. ^ "2000 Election Results" (PDF). Retrieved November 7, 2018.
  17. ^ "2002 Election Results" (PDF). Retrieved November 7, 2018.
  18. ^ "2004 Election Results" (PDF). Retrieved November 7, 2018.
  19. ^ "2006 Election Results" (PDF). Retrieved November 7, 2018.
  20. ^ "2008 Election Results" (PDF). Retrieved November 7, 2018.
  21. ^ "Congressional results". www.nvsos.gov. Retrieved November 7, 2018.
  22. ^ "2011 Official Special Election Results September 13, 2011". Nevada Secretary of State. Retrieved July 29, 2019.
  23. ^ "2012 Official Statewide General Election Coverage and Reports". www.nvsos.gov. Retrieved November 7, 2018.
  24. ^ "Silver State Election Night Results – 2014". Nevada Secretary of State. Retrieved January 17, 2017.
  25. ^ "Silver State Election Night Results – 2016". Nevada Secretary of State. Retrieved January 17, 2017.
  26. ^ "Silver State 2020 Election Results - U.S. Congress". Nevada Secretary of State. Retrieved November 27, 2020.

References edit

40°39′04″N 117°19′47″W / 40.65111°N 117.32972°W / 40.65111; -117.32972