Sandoval, other top Nevada Republicans plan to vote for Trump

By Megan Messerly

Wednesday, May 4, 2016 | 6 p.m.

Several of Nevada's Republican politicians affirmed support for their party’s presidential front-runner Donald Trump after his remaining two opponents dropped out of the race in the wake of the Indiana primary, clearing his path to the nomination.

Nevada Gov. Brian Sandoval said today in a statement that he plans to vote for Trump, though he added that “it is no secret that we do not agree on every issue.” Sandoval had recently endorsed Ohio Gov. John Kasich, who dropped out of the race today, and caucused for Florida Sen. Marco Rubio.

Sandoval has previously said that he would support the eventual Republican nominee, but appeared to waver in that support last month saying he was “very concerned” with statements made in the race and indicating that he would wait to see who the nominee is before committing to him.

Today he said that “the Democratic nominee is simply not an option.”

Rep. Cresent Hardy, who is running for re-election to Nevada’s 4th Congressional District, has previously said he would support his party’s eventual nominee, which his representatives reaffirmed today.

"Congressman Hardy continues to be focused on serving the people of Nevada's 4th Congressional District and his own campaign for re-election. He has said that he will support whomever the Republican nominee is,” said Hardy’s campaign manager Ross Hemminger in a statement.

Also in agreement is Joe Heck, currently a congressman representing Nevada’s 3rd Congressional District. Heck, who faces a tough fight against Democrat Catherine Cortez Masto to replace outgoing Sen. Harry Reid, said Tuesday in an interview that he still planned to support the party’s nominee.

“Post-convention, you know, folks will come together and concentrate on what's important, which is the November election,” Heck said. “That's where we are focused. We have a campaign plan that will carry us through November and that's what we're sticking with.”

Rep. Mark Amodei, who is likely to be re-elected to the state’s 2nd Congressional District, has also previously said that he would support the eventual nominee.

But not all of Nevada’s Republican leaders have been as accepting of Trump.

Sen. Dean Heller told the Associated Press today that he “vehemently” opposes some of the comments Trump has made, particularly with regard to women and the Hispanic community.

“I just can’t agree with some of his positions,” Heller said.

He said he would not commit to vote for Trump but rather commit to vote against Hillary Clinton.

He also noted that Nevada has an option allowing voters to choose “none of these candidates” on the ballot.