Nevada U.S. Sen. Catherine Cortez Masto talks to supporter at the International Brotherhood of Carpenters Local 1977 near the Las Vegas Strip on Sunday, Nov. 13, 2022. Cortez Masto, the first Latina to serve in the Senate, was elected to a second term last week with a narrow victory against Republican challenger Adam Laxalt.
Sunday, Nov. 13, 2022 | noon
U.S. Sen. Catherine Cortez Masto took a victory lap early Sunday, thanking supporters who helped narrowly re-elect the nation’s first Latina senator after topping Republican challenger Adam Laxalt.
Speaking to roughly 150 supporters inside a facility at the International Brotherhood of Carpenters Local 1977 near the Las Vegas Strip Sunday morning, Cortez Masto thanked Nevada voters who helped her win reelection by about 6,000 votes.
Shortly after Clark County updated mail ballot results Saturday night, the race was called in Cortez Masto’s favor by the Associated Press, MSNBC, CNN and other major news organizations.
“We knew this was going to be a tough campaign. But like all of you, I’m a Nevadan. And I know what it takes to deliver for my state,” Cortez Masto said. “Just know whether you voted for me or not, I will always fight for you.”
She thanked key voting blocs of police officers and first responders, as well as the workers that compose Nevada’s labor unions for helping deliver her the seat once held by longtime Democratic stalwart Harry Reid. When Reid returned, he hand-picked Cortez Masto to run.
The heavily-Democratic Clark County is home to several of the state’s unions, many of whom work resort operators on the Las Vegas Strip. Preliminary totals from Clark County show Cortez Masto beating Laxalt by 50,499 votes, receiving roughly 52% of the vote compared to Laxalt’s 45% in the liberal stronghold.
And that wouldn’t have been possible without a strong union turnout, she said.
“They (unions) have been a part of my life since I was a child, growing up the daughter of a Teamster,” said Cortez Masto. “You are the essential workers that were on the front lines every single day. You protected our workers and their families here in Nevada, and I will always fight for you no matter what.
Among her priorities for a second term, Cortez Masto said she intends to focus on bringing down housing and healthcare costs.
“We’re not only going to continue fighting for Nevada,” she said. “We’re going to bring down housing costs in Nevada so everyone has a place to live. We are going to keep creating these good, well-paying union jobs, and we’re going to make sure every individual who works hard to provide for themselves and their family, or in service to this country, can retire with dignity.”
Cortez Masto’s victory also helped secure a Democratic majority in Congress’ upper chamber. That will allow Democratic President Joe Biden to continue with judicial and executive appointments without the worry of being denied by Republicans. Should Democrat Rafael Warnock defeat Republican Hershel Walker in next month’s senate runoff vote in Georgia, Democrats could hold a clear 51-49 majority, or Republicans could split the chamber evenly.
There is also still a pathway, albeit narrow, for Democrats to retain control of the U.S. House of Representatives. Republicans seemed poised to reclaim it with 211 seats secured and several races still too close to call. Democrats have secured 203 seats, according to the AP, and the first to 218 will claim majority.
Republicans were widely predicted to take both chambers, as historically the midterm elections represent a referendum on the party in majority power. But after the race was called for Cortez Masto late Saturday, Democratic Sen. Chuck Schumer of New York, who will retain his title as Senate Majority Leader, said the American people embraced key legislative priorities passed under Biden’s first term, like the CHIPS Act, the American Rescue Plan and others.
“This election is a victory,” Schumer said in a televised address. “A victory and a vindication for Democrats, our agenda and for America and the American people.”
Nevada also by and large rejected a slate of Trump-endorsed Republican candidates this election. Most notably, Laxalt and GOP secretary of state contender Jim Marchant were two of former President Donald Trump’s most ardent supporters. Republicans, however, scored big wins with Clark County Sheriff Joe Lombardo topping Gov. Steve Sisolak, Stavros Anthony claiming the lieutenant governor’s seat, and former state Rep. Andy Matthews winning the state controller contest.
Laxalt had yet to concede as of Sunday morning. On Friday, he dispelled a report from a British newspaper that detailed plans to call for a recount if Cortez Masto overtook him.
A spokesperson for the Laxalt campaign did not immediately return a request for comment.
“Nevada rejected the far-right politicians working to divide us,” Cortez Masto said. “We rejected their conspiracies, their attacks on our workers and their efforts to restrict our freedoms.”
