Conflicted voters in Nevada’s senate race
Though voters experienced mixed emotions, Catherine Cortez Masto followed her democratic predecessor, Harry Reid, in keeping the Nevada U.S. Senate seat blue. Whether Republican or Democrat, Northern Nevadans were conflicted in the race between Cortez Masto and republican candidate Joe Heck.
Slanderous ads from both sides were plastered on TV screens, radios, and social media. In a tense and crucial election year, the two candidates stopped at nothing to convince voters of their credibility and accountability.
Voters happily participated in the Washoe County Republican watch party at the Atlantis Casino Resort Spa, but were not strongly opinionated on the local senate race.
Nikita Gifford, a 28-year-old second-time voter, wanted to be surrounded by people who share her interests in this nail-bitting election. For the senate race, Gifford selected the person who reminded her the most of the republican presidential candidate.
“[Heck] seemed more like Trump,” said Gifford, “and I trust him a little more than Cortez Masto.”
Some voters have been Republican from the start, but there are others who have recently changed party affiliation. Boston native, John Braun identifies as a republican, but opposes Heck’s views. At 54, Braun said voting for the republican candidate is the best option, but was not happy about it.
“I don’t like Heck, and I don’t like how much credit he’s given as being a ‘general,’” said Braun, who called himself a democrat in his younger days.
Three miles north, hundreds of democrats at the Grand Sierra Resort celebrated as their candidate won the U.S. senate seat for Nevada. Some voters were not in full support for Cortez Masto, though the room rang with cheers when her victory was announced.
Patricia Deignan, an independent, decided to campaign for democrats this election because she felt that more women in congress would improve American government.
Carlos Perez-Campbell said Cortez Masto excelled in experience, but lacked in charisma. The 21-year-old Latino Outreach Director for Chip Evans said “the large amount of people in support for [Cortez Masto] is showing how active and energetic the democratic party is.”
The momentous energy in the ballroom proved fortunate for Cortez Masto. She and Hillary Clinton’s win for Nevada kept the state blue. Heck ran a campaign hoping to replace the blue seat, but could not do so.
