Democratic Senator Jacky Rosen has been reelected in Nevada, defeating Republican Sam Brown in a closely contested yet quiet race.
The first-term senator campaigned on abortion rights and positioned herself as a pragmatic politician, mirroring the successful strategy of Nevada’s senior senator, Democrat Catherine Cortez Masto, in her recent reelection.
“Thank you, Nevada! I’m honored and grateful to continue serving as your United States Senator,” Rosen posted on the platform X.
Brown, a retired Army captain who relocated from Texas in 2018, struggled to leverage President-elect Donald Trump’s popularity in the working-class state, where Trump also won.
The Associated Press sought comments from Brown’s campaign but received no response. Before Rosen’s victory announcement, Brown criticized the delayed vote counting in Nevada on X, stating, “We deserve to know election results within hours, not a week later.”
Although Brown had Trump’s backing and won the Republican primary, he was significantly outspent during the campaign, allowing Rosen to dominate advertising. The former synagogue president and computer programmer promoted herself as an independent who does not follow “party leaders.”
Analysts note Nevada’s history of supporting practical senators who secure federal funding. Rosen highlighted her efforts to expand broadband access and enhance transportation between Las Vegas and Southern California through light rail.
She notably criticized Brown’s stance on abortion, arguing he would support a national ban despite his claims of respecting Nevada’s legal choice made decades ago. A recent ballot measure to enshrine abortion rights in the state constitution passed, but voters must reaffirm it in 2026.
The Senate race attracted limited national attention during most of the campaign, contrasting sharply with the presidential race, where both Trump and Vice President Kamala Harris campaigned vigorously for the state’s electoral votes. While conservative funding surged in the final days, Brown could not adequately counter Rosen’s campaign.
Brown, who was awarded a Purple Heart for his service in Afghanistan, suffered severe injuries from an IED explosion in 2008 and underwent 30 surgeries, often highlighting his battle scars in campaign advertisements.
