Assemblywoman drops from congressional race to seek re-election

Assemblywoman Heidi Kasama has dropped out of Nevada’s 3rd Congressional District race to seek another term in the Legislature.

“I have decided to suspend my campaign for Congress and instead file for re-election to State Assembly District 2 to represent the good people of my district and continue to assist Governor Lombardo in his ongoing efforts to create a ‘New Nevada,’” Kasama said on X Thursday.

The Republican legislator representing Las Vegas had announced her entry into the GOP field in August to challenge Democratic Rep. Susie Lee and had received the support of Gov. Joe Lombardo.

In a phone interview Thursday, Kasama said she also had received support from leadership in Washington, D.C., but that there have been a lot of changes concerning the direction of and unity in the House of Representatives.

She had been speaking with the governor and his office about how critical it is for Republicans to maintain the Assembly District 2 seat in order to avoid a super minority in both the Assembly and the Senate.

“I’m all in in supporting Gov. Lombardo,” Kasama said.

On Thursday, Lombardo endorsed Kasama’s re-election for Assembly District 2, saying on X that Nevada benefits from her thoughtfulness and pragmatism and needs her leadership in the Assembly.

“I look forward to welcoming Heidi back to Carson City as we continue to fight for safer communities, better schools, and a stronger economy together,” Lombardo said in the statement posted to X.

The other Republicans left in the primary race for Nevada’s 3rd Congressional District include former state Sen. Elizabeth Helgelien and conservative policy analyst Drew Johnson. Kasama said she is not endorsing a candidate in the congressional race.

Clark County Republican Party Chairman Jesse Law — who last month was indicted by a grand jury for his role in submitting false electoral documents in 2020 — announced last month his plans to run for Assembly District 2. Law could not be reached for comment about whether his plans would change following Kasama’s announcement.

Nevada State Democratic Party Chairwoman Daniele Monroe-Moreno said in a Thursday statement that the news is unsurprising and that it indicates that Republicans are worried about the strength of Lee’s campaign.

“Growing up in a working family of ten, it’s no wonder Susie Lee will work tirelessly with anyone to get things done and solve problems for southern Nevada’s working families,” Monroe-Moreno said in the statement. “That’s exactly what southern Nevada needs, and as we saw today, extreme Republicans are starting to realize it.”

Contact Jessica Hill at jehill@reviewjournal.com. Follow @jess_hillyeah on X.