51�ԹϺ���

Vice President Kamala Harris’ rapid rise to the top of Democratic ticket hasn’t just reset the 2024 presidential election — it may have disrupted the battle over the Senate majority taking place in the West. Nevada, Arizona and Montana are three of a handful of “toss-up” Senate seats Democrats are defending to retain a majority in Congress’ upper chamber where they currently govern with 51 seats compared to Republicans’ 49.

Republicans smell blood in the water in Nevada’s 4th Congressional District, and they’re pouring resources into the race in an effort to pick up a seat that’s been held by a Democrat for five of the past six election cycles.

It's no exaggeration to say the control of the U.S. Senate — and the White House — could be decided by "the biggest little city in the world." Centered in Truckee River Valley, the desert town of Reno, Nevada, also sits at the center of the national debate over inflation, immigration and federal abortion bans.

It’s no exaggeration to say the control of the U.S. Senate — and the White House — could be decided by “the biggest little city in the world.” Centered in Truckee River Valley, the desert town of Reno, Nevada, also sits at the center of the national debate over inflation, immigration and federal abortion bans.

The primary standoff between Sen. Dina Neal (D-North Las Vegas) and longtime city officials was even more expensive than previously thought. North Las Vegas Mayor Pamela Goynes-Brown and City Council members Isaac Barron and Scott Black all have ties to a new PAC behind the mailers that described Neal as “‘Dirty Deal’ Neal” and alleged that she has been “soft-on-crime for decades [and] has tried to destroy our police department and community.” The trio of officials — who feuded with Neal in the 2023 Legislature and publicly backed her state Senate primary opponent — collectively donated $16,000 that eventually went to the PAC.

Officially, Repair the Vote — a PAC headed by former Clark County Republican Party Chair David Gibbs — has been the public face of the ballot question that would require Nevadans to show a form of ID when voting. But behind the scenes, one entity appears to have provided the vast majority of financial muscle needed to get the question on the ballot — the Las Vegas Sands.

President Joe Biden is out of the race for president. Vice President Kamala Harris is the presumptive candidate. And of course, the mudslinging has begun. Former President Donald Trump calls Harris a "fake candidate." Experts say there could be be legal challenges to the $250 million campaign war chest collected on behalf of Biden.

As Channel 13 continues our Path to the White House series, we're looking at the top issues on Nevada voters' minds heading into the presidential election. Among the topics we're examining leading up to November is the future of democracy.