Oceguera drops out of congressional race

By Megan Messerly

Wednesday, March 16, 2016 | 7 p.m.

Former Assembly Speaker John Oceguera announced today he has ended his campaign for Nevada’s 4th Congressional District.

Oceguera attributed the decision, at least in part, to a lack of campaign funds needed to get his message out to voters in a heated Democratic primary, though he said that polling indicated a path to victory in the race. Oceguera, state Sen. Ruben Kihuen, former Assemblywoman Lucy Flores and philanthropist Susie Lee have been campaigning for months already and participating in a series of forums in their bids to become the Democratic nominee for the congressional district.

“This has been, needless to say, an extraordinarily difficult decision, and I will always be so grateful to the many people who have stepped up to support the campaign with contributions, time, and wholehearted support,” Oceguera said in a statement. “Serving our community and state has been a priority of mine since childhood, and I promise to continue to find ways to serve and advocate on the issues that matter.”

Oceguera came in third in the fundraising race among the four candidates, raising $53,000 last quarter and ending it with $204,000 in cash on hand. Lee raised the most at $160,000, followed by Kihuen with $152,000. Flores raised the least at $51,000.

Oceguera said he plans to stay “fully engaged” in the election, by campaigning for Secretary of State Hillary Clinton in her presidential bid in Nevada and supporting Democratic former Attorney General Catherine Cortez Masto in her run to replace Senate Minority Leader Harry Reid in the Senate.

He added that he will not endorse any of the Democratic candidates for the 4th Congressional District.

The Democratic candidates will face off in a June 14 primary, and the eventual Democratic nominee will challenge Republican Rep. Cresent Hardy in the November election.