Election News Roundup: Early Votes Show Brown Leading Rosen in Race for Senate

Posted on: November 6, 2024, 08:02h. 

Last updated on: November 6, 2024, 10:23h.

Ed Silverstein @casinoorgedsilv Read More
Expertise: Legal, Tribal Gaming.

Republican challenger Sam Brown was ahead of Democratic incumbent Jacky Rosen by less than 1,000 votes as the two battled for Nevada’s US Senate seat, according to preliminary numbers.

Jacky Rosen, Sam Brown
Sam Brown, left, and Jacky Rosen, pictured above in a debate. The two are awaiting final results after a very close race for a Senate seat. (Image: Nevada Public Radio)

Hours after polls closed, Brown, a retired Army officer, led Rosen by 870 votes, according to Las Vegas TV station KLAS. That represents a 0.1% difference.

Based on early results as of Wednesday morning, Brown had received 599,554 votes, which represents 47.3%. Rosen received 598,684 votes, which represents 47.2%. Additional votes were split among other candidates.

Remaining mail-in ballots still need to be included. They can be postmarked as late as Election Day.

Both candidates held off claiming victory during appearances before supporters on Tuesday night.

Memories of 2022

Tuesday’s close race between Rosen and Brown is reminiscent of a previous election in Nevada.

In 2022, Sen. Catherine Cortez Masto (D) battled against Adam Laxalt (R). Initially, Laxalt led, but Masto won after mail-in votes were counted.

If Rosen is defeated, it will mean a stronger majority for Republicans nationally in the US Senate. Republicans have 52 seats in the Senate as of 8 am ET Wednesday, according to the Associated Press.

Some of those victories were being attributed to the coattails of former President Donald Trump’s national win over Vice President Kamala Harris. Trump won with 277 electoral votes compared to Harris’ 224 votes, according to early results. He’s likely to win still more electoral votes, maybe over 300, and may also win the popular vote, according to media predictions. Trump was leading in Nevada as of Wednesday morning.

Ballot Measures Approved

On Election Day, Nevada voters also approved a ballot measure that ensures a right to an abortion.

The measure will allow for a constitutional right to an abortion, as well as provide for the state to regulate abortion after fetal viability, except where medically indicated to “protect the life or health of the pregnant patient.”

Another ballot measure approved by Nevada voters relates to IDs when voting. It amends the constitution to require that Nevada residents present a form of photo identification to verify their identity while voting in person, or to verify their identity using the last four digits of their drivers license or Social Security number when voting by mail.

Mayor’s Race

In still another race, Shelley Berkley, a former member of Congress, was leading Councilwoman Victoria Seaman (R) in the race for Las Vegas mayor as of early Wednesday.

The eventual victor will take over after 24 years of the mayor being either Oscar Goodman, or more recently, his wife, Carolyn Goodman. Both were in the office for three terms.

Las Vegas doesn’t include the Las Vegas Strip, which is outside the official boundaries of the city.