Democratic incumbent Rep. Susie Lee has secured her party’s nomination in Nevada’s 3rd Congressional District after voters went to the polls on Tuesday, June 9, 2026. The Las Vegas-area swing seat is widely regarded as one of the most competitive House districts in the country, and the November general election matchup could play a pivotal role in determining which party controls the U.S. House of Representatives.
Susie Lee Wins Democratic Primary With Commanding Margin
Lee dominated Tuesday’s Democratic primary, capturing approximately 73 percent of the vote. Her closest challenger, James Lally, finished a distant second with roughly 17.6 percent. Three additional Democrats — Terrill Robinson, Brandon West, and Sean Hutchinson — also appeared on the ballot but failed to mount a serious challenge against the four-term incumbent.
Following the results, Lee posted on X: “I’m honored that southern Nevadans have placed their trust in me to continue fighting for them in Congress. I look forward to winning re-election and continuing to defend and support Nevadans.”
Trump-Endorsed Marty O’Donnell Wins Republican Nomination
On the Republican side, Marty O’Donnell — a composer best known for creating the iconic soundtrack to the blockbuster video game series Halo — won the GOP primary with roughly 43.8 percent of the vote, leading his nearest rival, Tera Anderson, by nearly 20 percentage points. O’Donnell, who ran unsuccessfully for the same seat in 2024, entered the 2026 race with the endorsement of President Donald Trump and was placed in the National Republican Congressional Committee’s MAGA Majority program, which directed significant campaign resources to his bid.
Other Republican contenders included dermatologist and former U.S. Ambassador to Iceland Jeff Gunter, neurosurgeon Aury Nagy, and businessperson Tera Anderson. After his victory was projected, O’Donnell declared on social media: “The contrast between Susie Lee and myself couldn’t be more. Together, we are going to beat her and continue delivering a secure border, a resilient economy, safe streets, peace through strength, and good old-fashioned common sense. It’s officially GAME ON — from now until November 3rd.”
Nevada’s 3rd District: A True Battleground Seat
Nevada’s 3rd Congressional District covers the southwestern suburbs of Las Vegas and has long been considered one of the most competitive House districts in the nation. The district features a narrow Democratic voter registration advantage, a large share of nonpartisan voters, and a track record of razor-thin election margins.
Notably, in 2024, both Lee and President Trump won narrowly in the district — a rare split that underscores the seat’s independent character. Republicans have identified NV-03 as a prime pickup opportunity as they seek to hold and potentially expand their slim House majority.
Susie Lee: A Record of Narrow Wins in a Purple District
First elected to Congress in 2019, Lee has built a reputation as a moderate Democrat who positions herself as a dealmaker willing to work across party lines. She has now navigated multiple competitive elections in the district:
- 2022: Lee defeated Republican April Becker by roughly 52% to 48% in a race that drew over $25 million in combined spending, making it one of the most expensive House battleground races in the country that cycle.
- 2024: Lee survived a strong challenge from Republican Drew Johnson, winning by approximately 51.4% to 48.6% — a margin of just over 10,000 votes.
Her ability to outperform in a district that also supported Donald Trump for president has made her a key figure in Democratic efforts to retake the House majority.
What’s at Stake for House Control in November
With Republicans holding a slim majority in the U.S. House, NV-03 is among the handful of seats that analysts say could determine which party governs the lower chamber after the November 3, 2026 general election. It is also one of 14 U.S. House districts that Democrats are defending which Donald Trump won in 2024 — making it a double-edged battleground.
Nevada itself is wrestling with major issues that are expected to dominate the campaign: an acute affordable housing shortage, surging energy demand driven by the rapid expansion of data centers in the Las Vegas region, and concerns over federal funding cuts to key state programs. These kitchen-table issues are likely to shape the messaging on both sides as Lee and O’Donnell head toward their November showdown.
O’Donnell’s Backers and Campaign Themes
Beyond the Trump endorsement, O’Donnell has also secured the backing of Nevada Governor Joe Lombardo, a Republican who is simultaneously fighting to retain his own seat against Democratic Attorney General Aaron Ford in what is shaping up as one of the most competitive gubernatorial races in the country. Lombardo’s endorsement adds a significant in-state political boost to O’Donnell’s campaign.
O’Donnell and his fellow Republican primary candidates ran primarily on issues of border security, energy independence, and reducing the federal deficit — themes expected to remain central to his general election messaging against Lee.
What Comes Next
With both nominees now set, the general election campaign for Nevada’s 3rd Congressional District is officially underway. The November 3, 2026 contest between Susie Lee and Marty O’Donnell is expected to draw massive outside spending, national attention, and potentially serve as a bellwether for the broader battle for House control.
Analysts are watching closely as Lee, a battle-tested incumbent with a record of outperforming in the district, faces off against O’Donnell, a first-time candidate backed by the full weight of the Trump political operation and the NRCC. Every vote in this Las Vegas-area swing seat could carry enormous consequences for the future direction of the U.S. Congress.
Will Susie Lee hold on to her seat in November, or will Marty O’Donnell flip Nevada’s most competitive district red? Drop your thoughts in the comments and stay tuned for the latest updates as the 2026 battle for the House heats up.