2022 United States Senate election in Nevada

The 2022 United States Senate election in Nevada was held on November 8, 2022, to elect a member of the United States Senate to represent the State of Nevada. Incumbent Democratic senator Catherine Cortez Masto won re-election to a second term, narrowly defeating Republican challenger Adam Laxalt. Nevada's election results were slowed due to state law that allowed voters to submit mail-in ballots until November 12, and allowed voters to fix clerical problems in their mail-in ballots until November 14, 2022. No Republican has won this specific U.S. Senate seat since Adam Laxalt's grandfather Paul Laxalt won a second full term in 1980.

2022 United States Senate election in Nevada

← 2016
November 8, 2022 (2022-11-08)
2028 →
 
Nominee Catherine Cortez Masto Adam Laxalt
Party Democratic Republican
Popular vote 498,316 490,388
Percentage 48.81% 48.04%

Cortez Masto:      40–50%      50–60%      60–70%      70–80%      80–90%      >90%
Laxalt:      40–50%      50–60%      60–70%      70–80%      80–90%      >90%
Tie:      40–50%      50%      No votes

U.S. senator before election

Catherine Cortez Masto
Democratic

Elected U.S. Senator

Catherine Cortez Masto
Democratic

According to exit polls, Cortez Masto won 83% of Black voters, 62% of Hispanic voters, 64% of young voters, and 52% of women.

Cortez Masto made protecting abortion rights a central issue of her campaign. Many experts and forecasters saw Nevada as Republicans' best chance to pickup a seat in the Senate. Despite Laxalt leading in most polls, Cortez Masto narrowly won re-election by a little less than 8,000 votes.

Cortez Masto flipped Washoe County, improving her 2016 voteshare by 1.7%, although Laxalt improved on Joe Heck's margin in rural counties, and performed slightly better in Clark County. The incumbent Democrat's improvements in Washoe compared to 2016 proved to be decisive, as her victory margin there was slightly larger than in Nevada as a whole. With a narrow margin of 0.78%, this was the closest Senate race of the 2022 election cycle and the closest Senate election in Nevada since 1998.

Democratic primary

Candidates

Nominee

  • Catherine Cortez Masto, incumbent U.S. senator (2017–present) and former attorney general of Nevada (2007–2015)

Eliminated in primary

  • Stephanie Kasheta
  • Corey Reid
  • Allen Rheinhart, Black Lives Matter activist and candidate for governor in 2014, U.S. Senate in 2016, and Nevada's 1st congressional district in 2020

Endorsements

Catherine Cortez Masto

Organizations

  • AAPI Victory Fund
  • American Israel Public Affairs Committee
  • EMILY's List
  • End Citizens United
  • Feminist Majority PAC
  • Humane Society of the United States Legislative Fund
  • Jewish Dems
  • Latino Victory
  • League of Conservation Voters
  • Let America Vote
  • NARAL Pro-Choice America
  • National Wildlife Federation
  • Natural Resources Defense Council
  • Planned Parenthood Action Fund
  • Population Connection Action Fund
  • Pro-Israel America
  • Sierra Club
  • Women's Political Committee

Newspapers

  • Las Vegas Sun

Labor unions

Results

Democratic primary results
Party Candidate Votes %
Democratic Catherine Cortez Masto (incumbent) 159,694 90.87%
Democratic Corey Reid 4,491 2.56%
None of These Candidates 4,216 2.40%
Democratic Allen Rheinhart 3,852 2.19%
Democratic Stephanie Kasheta 3,487 1.98%
Total votes 175,740 100.0%

Republican primary

Candidates

Nominee

  • Adam Laxalt, former attorney general of Nevada (2015–2019), nominee for governor in 2018, son of former U.S. Senator Pete Domenici and grandson of former U.S. Senator Paul Laxalt

Eliminated in primary

  • Sam Brown, U.S. Army veteran, Purple Heart recipient, candidate for of the Texas's 102nd House of Representatives district in 2014, and great-grandson of Paul Brown
  • William "Bill" Conrad, retired combat veteran
  • Bill Hockstedler, vice president of Ambient Clinical Analytics, sheriff's office volunteer, and U.S. Air Force veteran
  • Sharelle Mendenhall, pageant queen
  • Tyler Perkins
  • Carlo Poliak, retired sanitation worker and perennial candidate
  • Paul Rodriguez

Declined

  • Mark Amodei, U.S. representative for Nevada's 2nd congressional district (2011–present) (ran for re-election)
  • Heidi Gansert, state senator for the 15th district (2016–present)
  • Dean Heller, former U.S. senator (2011–2019) and former U.S. representative for Nevada's 2nd congressional district (2007–2011) (ran for governor)
  • Ben Kieckhefer, state senator for the 16th district (2010–2021)
  • Brian Sandoval, president of the University of Nevada, Reno (2020–present) and former governor of Nevada (2011–2019)

Debates

2022 United States Senate Republican primary election in Nevada debates
No. Date Organizer Location Key:
 P  Participant   A  Absent   N  Non-invitee   I  Invitee  W  Withdrawn
Source
Sam Brown Bill Conrad Bill Hockstedler Adam Laxalt Sharellen Mendenhall
1 April 7, 2022 Redmove Nevada Atlantis Casino Resort Spa, Reno A P P A P
2 May 9, 2022 Nevada Newsmakers Nevada Newsmakers Studio, Reno P N N P N
  1. Minor candidates that didn't participate in any of the debates are omitted.

Endorsements

Sam Brown (eliminated in primary)

Organizations

  • Nevada Republican Party
Adam Laxalt

Executive branch officials

U.S. senators

  • Marsha Blackburn, U.S. senator from Tennessee (2019–present)
  • Tom Cotton, U.S. senator from Arkansas (2015–present)
  • Ted Cruz, U.S. senator from Texas (2013–present)
  • Josh Hawley, U.S. senator from Missouri (2019–present)[better source needed]
  • Mitch McConnell, U.S. senator from Kentucky (1985–present) and Senate minority leader (2021–present)
  • Rick Scott, U.S. senator from Florida (2019–present) and former governor of Florida (2011–2019)

Statewide officials

  • Ron DeSantis, governor of Florida (2019–present)

Individuals

  • Mark Levin, lawyer and author[better source needed]
  • Matt Schlapp, chairman of the American Conservative Union[better source needed]
  • Donald Trump Jr., businessman and political activist[better source needed]

Organizations

  • 60 Plus Association[better source needed]
  • American Conservative Union[better source needed]
  • Club for Growth
  • FreedomWorks for America
  • Gun Owners of America[better source needed]
  • Political Victory Fund
  • Republican Jewish Coalition
  • Senate Conservatives Fund

Labor unions

  • Las Vegas Peace Officers Association
  • National Association of Police Organizations
  • Nevada Fraternal Order of Police
  • Public Safety Alliance of Nevada

Polling

Graphical summary

%support01020304050601/26/20224/28/20225/27/2022BrownHockstedlerLaxaltMendenhallUndecided/Other/NOTCRepublican primary polling for the 2022 Unit...
View source data.
Source of poll
aggregation
Dates
administered
Dates
updated
Sam
Brown
Bill
Hockstedler
Adam
Laxalt
Sharelle
Mendenhall
Other
Margin
Real Clear Politics April 25 – June 7, 2022 June 10, 2022 30.3% 1.0% 51.3% 3.0% 24.4% Laxalt +21.0
Poll source Date(s)
administered
Sample
size
Margin
of error
Sam
Brown
Bill
Hockstedler
Adam
Laxalt
Sharelle
Mendenhall
None of These
Candidates
Other Undecided
OH Predictive Insights June 6–7, 2022 525 (LV) ± 4.4% 34% 1% 48% 3% 2% 3% 9%
University of Nevada Reno May 17–27, 2022 368 (LV) ± 5.9% 31% 5% 57% 7%
OH Predictive Insights May 10–12, 2022 500 (LV) ± 4.4% 30% 0% 45% 3% 8% 2% 11%
Emerson College April 30 – May 2, 2022 1,000 (LV) ± 3.0% 27% 1% 50% 4% 3% 15%
The Trafalgar Group (R) April 25–28, 2022 1,071 (LV) ± 3.0% 26% 1% 50% 3% 5% 15%
WPA Intelligence (R) April 24–26, 2022 503 (LV) ± 4.4% 20% 1% 57% 1% 9% 12%
WPA Intelligence (R) March 13–15, 2022 500 (LV) ± 4.4% 19% 1% 57% 1% 3% 15%
OH Predictive Insights January 19–26, 2022 230 (RV) ± 6.5% 14% 37% 49%
Hypothetical polling
Poll source Date(s)
administered
Sample
size
Margin
of error
Dean
Heller
Adam
Laxalt
Other Undecided
WPA Intelligence (R) December 9–11, 2020 300 (LV) ± 5.7% 25% 44% 6% 25%

Results

Republican primary results
Party Candidate Votes %
Republican Adam Laxalt 127,757 55.91%
Republican Sam Brown 78,206 34.23%
Republican Sharelle Mendenhall 6,946 3.04%
None of These Candidates 6,277 2.75%
Republican William "Bill" Conrad 3,440 1.51%
Republican William "Bill" Hockstedler 2,836 1.24%
Republican Paul Rodriguez 1,844 0.81%
Republican Tyler Perkins 850 0.37%
Republican Carlo Poliak 332 0.15%
Total votes 228,488 100.0%

Libertarian primary

Candidates

Declared

  • Neil Scott, accountant

Independent American primary

Candidates

Declared

  • Barry Rubinson, nominee for Nevada's 4th congressional district in 2020

Independents

Candidates

Declared

  • Barry Lindemann, asset manager

Not on ballot

  • J. J. Destin, truck driver
  • Gretchen Rae Lowe

General election

Predictions

Source Ranking As of
The Cook Political Report Tossup March 4, 2022
Inside Elections Tossup February 24, 2022
Sabato's Crystal Ball Lean D November 7, 2022
Politico Tossup April 1, 2022
RCP Tossup November 1, 2022
Fox News Tossup May 12, 2022
DDHQ Tossup August 22, 2022
538 Tossup September 22, 2022
The Economist Lean R (flip) November 6, 2022

Endorsements

Catherine Cortez Masto (D)

U.S. presidents

Executive branch officials

U.S. senators

  • Tammy Baldwin, U.S. senator from Wisconsin (2013–present)
  • Cory Booker, U.S. senator from New Jersey (2013–present)
  • Bob Casey Jr., U.S. senator from Pennsylvania (2007–present)
  • Amy Klobuchar, U.S. senator from Minnesota (2007–present)
  • Chris Murphy, U.S. senator for Connecticut (2013–present)
  • Jon Ossoff, U.S. senator from Georgia (2021–present)
  • Jacky Rosen, U.S. senator from Nevada (2019–present)
  • Bernie Sanders, U.S. senator from Vermont (2007–present) (Independent)
  • Brian Schatz, U.S. senator from Hawaii (2012–present)
  • Debbie Stabenow, U.S. senator from Michigan (2001–present)
  • Elizabeth Warren, U.S. senator from Massachusetts (2013–present)

State legislators

  • Pete Ernaut, state assemblyman (1993–1997) and advisor for governors Kenny Guinn and Brian Sandoval (Republican)

Local officials

  • Carl Erquiaga, former Churchill County commissioner (Republican)
  • Di An Putnam, mayor of Winnemucca, Nevada (Republican)
  • Nathan Robertson, mayor of Ely, Nevada (Republican)
  • Jason Soto, chief of police, Reno, Nevada (Republican)

Individuals

  • Cher, singer and actress
  • Jimmy Kimmel, talk show host
  • John Legend, singer
  • Martin Sheen, actor
  • Oprah Winfrey, businesswoman and talk show host

Organizations

  • AAPI Victory Fund
  • American Israel Public Affairs Committee
  • EMILY's List
  • End Citizens United
  • Feminist Majority PAC
  • Human Rights Campaign
  • Humane Society of the United States Legislative Fund
  • Jewish Dems
  • Latino Victory
  • League of Conservation Voters
  • Let America Vote
  • NARAL Pro-Choice America
  • National Wildlife Federation
  • Natural Resources Defense Council
  • Planned Parenthood Action Fund
  • Population Connection Action Fund
  • Pro-Israel America
  • Sierra Club
  • Silver State Equality
  • Women's Political Committee

Newspapers

  • Las Vegas Sun

Labor unions

  • Culinary Workers Union
  • International Alliance of Theatrical Stage Employees local 720
  • National Education Association
  • Nevada AFL–CIO
  • Nevada Association of Public Safety Officers (NAPSO)
  • Nevada Law Enforcement Coalition (NLEC)
  • Operative Plasterers' and Cement Masons' International Association
  • United Auto Workers
  • United Mine Workers
Adam Laxalt (R)

U.S. presidents

Executive branch officials

U.S. senators

  • Marsha Blackburn, U.S. senator from Tennessee (2019–present)
  • Tom Cotton, U.S. senator from Arkansas (2015–present) and former U.S. representative for Arkansas's 4th congressional district (2013–2015)
  • Ted Cruz, U.S. senator from Texas (2013–present)
  • Josh Hawley, U.S. senator from Missouri (2019–present) and former Missouri attorney general (2017–2019)
  • Cindy Hyde-Smith, U.S. senator from Mississippi (2018–present)
  • Mitch McConnell, U.S. senator from Kentucky (1985–present) and Senate minority leader (2021–present)
  • Rick Scott, U.S. senator from Florida (2019–present) and former governor of Florida (2011–2019)

U.S. representatives

  • Mark Amodei, U.S. representative for Nevada's 2nd congressional district (2011–present)
  • Tulsi Gabbard, former U.S. representative for Hawaii's 2nd congressional district (2013–2021) (Independent)

Governors

  • Ron DeSantis, governor of Florida (2019–present) and former U.S. representative for Florida's 6th congressional district (2013–2018)

State officials

  • Pam Bondi, attorney general of Florida (2011–2019)

State legislators

  • Bob Barengo, former speaker of the Nevada Assembly (1981–1982) and member of the Nevada Assembly from the 29th District (1972–1982) (Democratic)
  • John Ellison, member of the Nevada Assembly from the 33rd District (2011–present) and speaker pro tempore of the Nevada Assembly (2014–2016)
  • Andy Matthews, member of the Nevada Assembly from the 37th District (2020–present)
  • Jim Wheeler, member of the Nevada Assembly from the 39th District (2013–present) and Minority Leader of the Nevada Assembly (2017–2019)

Local officials

  • Victoria Seaman, member of Las Vegas City Council from the 2nd ward (2019–present) and member of the Nevada Assembly from the 34th district (2014–2016)

Party officials

  • Thomas O. Hicks Jr., co-chair of the Republican National Committee (2019–present)
  • Ronna McDaniel, chair of the Republican National Committee (2017–present)
  • Ralph Reed, chair of the Georgia Republican Party (2001–2003)

Individuals

  • Mark Levin, radio host
  • Chuck Norris, martial artist and actor
  • Donald Trump Jr., businessman and son of Donald Trump

Organizations

  • 60 Plus Association
  • American Conservative Union
  • Campaign for Working Families
  • Club for Growth
  • FreedomWorks for America
  • Gun Owners of America
  • Heritage Action
  • Huck PAC
  • Log Cabin Republicans
  • National Federation of Independent Business
  • National Republican Senatorial Committee
  • National Right to Life Committee
  • Political Victory Fund
  • Republican Jewish Coalition
  • Senate Conservatives Fund
  • Tea Party Express

Labor unions

  • Las Vegas Peace Officers Association
  • National Association of Police Organizations
  • National Border Patrol Council
  • Nevada Fraternal Order of Police
  • Public Safety Alliance of Nevada

Polling

Aggregate polls

Source of poll
aggregation
Dates
administered
Dates
updated
Catherine
Cortez Masto (D)
Adam
Laxalt (R)
Undecided
Margin
Real Clear Politics October 24 – November 7, 2022 November 8, 2022 45.4% 48.8% 5.8% Laxalt +3.4
FiveThirtyEight October 5 – November 8, 2022 November 8, 2022 45.9% 47.3% 6.8% Laxalt +1.4
270towin October 27 – November 7, 2022 November 8, 2022 45.0% 48.8% 6.2% Laxalt +3.8
Average 45.4% 48.3% 6.3% Laxalt +2.9

Graphical summary

%support01020304050602021/08/142022/09/202022/11/06 0:00Cortez MastoLaxaltUndecided/Other/NOTCGeneral election polling for the 2022 United...
View source data.
Poll source Date(s)
administered
Sample
size
Margin
of error
Catherine
Cortez Masto (D)
Adam
Laxalt (R)
None of These
Candidates
Other Undecided
The Trafalgar Group (R) November 5–7, 2022 1,089 (LV) ± 2.9% 45% 50% 2% 2%
Research Co. November 4–6, 2022 450 (LV) ± 4.6% 46% 47% 2% 5%
Data for Progress (D) November 2–6, 2022 1,100 (LV) ± 3.0% 47% 49% 1% 3%
InsiderAdvantage (R) November 4, 2022 550 (LV) ± 4.2% 44% 50% 2% 5%
KAConsulting (R) November 2–3, 2022 501 (LV) ± 4.4% 45% 44% 1% 9%
Cygnal (R) November 1–2, 2022 600 (LV) 43% 46% 5% 6%
Emerson College October 26–29, 2022 2,000 (LV) ± 2.1% 45% 50% 1% 2% 3%
46% 51% 1% 3%
Suffolk University October 24–28, 2022 500 (LV) ± 4.4% 45% 44% 3% 4% 5%
OH Predictive Insights October 24–27, 2022 600 (LV) ± 4.0% 43% 41% 1% 5% 10%
Susquehanna Polling and Research (R) October 24–27, 2022 500 (LV) ± 4.3% 43% 48% <1% 4% 5%
Echelon Insights October 24–26, 2022 500 (LV) ± 4.9% 45% 45% 2% 8%
46% 48% 6%
The Trafalgar Group (R) October 21–24, 2022 1,100 (LV) ± 2.9% 46% 50% 3% 2%
Siena Research/NYT October 19–24, 2022 885 (LV) ± 4.2% 47% 47% 2% 4%
Phillips Academy October 22–23, 2022 1,052 (LV) ± 3.0% 49% 47% 4%
InsiderAdvantage (R) October 20, 2022 550 (LV) ± 4.2% 46% 48% 2% 4%
CBS News/YouGov October 14–19, 2022 1,057 (LV) ± 4.4% 48% 49% 3%
Data for Progress (D) October 13–19, 2022 819 (LV) ± 3.0% 48% 49% 2% 1%
BSP Research/Shaw & Co. October 12–19, 2022 1,000 (RV) ± 3.1% 44% 42% 5% 10%
University of Nevada, Reno October 5–19, 2022 586 (LV) ± 4.0% 52% 39% 3% 5%
WPA Intelligence (R) October 16–18, 2022 500 (LV) ± 4.4% 43% 45% 6%
Rasmussen Reports (R) October 13–17, 2022 707 (LV) ± 4.0% 43% 48% 4% 5%
Suffolk University October 4–7, 2022 500 (LV) ± 4.4% 46% 44% 3% 3% 5%
WPA Intelligence (R) October 2–4, 2022 500 (LV) ± 4.4% 44% 42% 4% 10%
CNN/SSRS September 26 – October 2, 2022 926 (RV) ± 4.7% 47% 44% 2% 3% 1%
828 (LV) ± 5.0% 46% 48% 2% 3%
OH Predictive Insights September 20–29, 2022 741 (LV) ± 3.6% 43% 45% 3% 2% 7%
InsiderAdvantage (R) September 20, 2022 550 (LV) ± 4.2% 43% 46% 2% 9%
Big Data Poll (R) September 18–20, 2022 750 (LV) ± 3.4% 44% 46%
The Trafalgar Group (R) September 17–20, 2022 1,086 (LV) ± 2.9% 43% 47% 5% 5%
Data for Progress (D) September 14–19, 2022 874 (LV) ± 3.0% 46% 47% 6% 2%
Emerson College September 8–10, 2022 1,000 (LV) ± 3.0% 41% 42% 4% 11%
Fabrizio Ward (R)/Impact Research (D) August 16–24, 2022 1,332 (LV) ± 4.4% 44% 40% 3% 4% 9%
48% 47% 6%
The Trafalgar Group (R) August 15–18, 2022 1,082 (LV) ± 2.9% 44% 47% 4% 6%
Suffolk University August 14–17, 2022 500 (LV) ± 4.4% 45% 38% 3% 3% 12%
Beacon Research (D) July 5–20, 2022 479 (RV) ± 4.5% 49% 39% 1% 7%
301 (LV) ± 5.6% 51% 45% 1% 2%
Emerson College July 7–10, 2022 2,000 (RV) ± 2.1% 44% 41% 6% 9%
Change Research (D) June 24–27, 2022 701 (LV) ± 3.7% 46% 43% 12%
University of Nevada, Reno May 17–27, 2022 1,098 (A) ± 3.4% 48% 27% 11% 14%
McLaughlin & Associates (R) April 18–20, 2022 600 (LV) ± 4.0% 46% 47% 7%
OH Predictive Insights April 1–9, 2022 748 (RV) ± 4.4% 43% 35% 22%
Suffolk University April 2–6, 2022 500 (LV) ± 4.4% 40% 43% 3% 14%
Blueprint Polling (D) March 21–24, 2022 671 (LV) ± 3.8% 40% 47% 13%
Change Research (D) March 2022 – (LV) 44% 46% 10%
OH Predictive Insights January 19–26, 2022 755 (RV) ± 3.6% 44% 35% 21%
The Trafalgar Group (R) November 24–29, 2021 1,034 (LV) ± 3.0% 41% 44% 15%
NRSC (R) November 14–17, 2021 571 (LV) ± 4.1% 42% 46% 12%
The Mellman Group (D) September 15–22, 2021 600 (LV) ± 4.0% 46% 41% 3% 10%
WPA Intelligence (R) September 11–15, 2021 504 (LV) ± 4.4% 37% 39% 12% 12%
VCreek/AMG (R) August 9–14, 2021 567 (RV) ± 4.1% 32% 42% 26%
Hypothetical polling

Catherine Cortez Masto vs. Sam Brown

Poll source Date(s)
administered
Sample
size
Margin
of error
Catherine
Cortez Masto (D)
Sam
Brown (R)
None of These
Candidates
Other Undecided
University of Nevada, Reno May 17–27, 2022 1,098 (A) ± 3.4% 47% 24% 13% 16%
OH Predictive Insights April 1–9, 2022 748 (RV) ± 4.4% 42% 34% 24%
Suffolk University April 2–6, 2022 500 (LV) ± 4.4% 39% 40% 5% 17%

Results

Cortez Masto won urban Clark County and Washoe County, home to Las Vegas and Reno respectively. Combined, these two counties contain more than 80% of the state's total population. While her margin in Clark County fell from 11% in 2016 to 8% in this election, she flipped Washoe County, which she lost by less than 1% in 2016, with a 4% margin of victory. Laxalt won by landslide margins in Nevada's rural counties, but they are lightly populated and cast less than 16% of the total vote. In the end, Cortez Masto's victories in the state's two largest counties gave her too large a lead for Laxalt to overcome in rural Nevada. As of 2025, no Republican has won any U.S. Senate race in Nevada since 2012.

2022 United States Senate election in Nevada
Party Candidate Votes % ±%
Democratic Catherine Cortez Masto (incumbent) 498,316 48.81% +1.71%
Republican Adam Laxalt 490,388 48.04% +3.37%
None of These Candidates 12,441 1.22% -2.59%
Independent Barry Lindemann 8,075 0.79% N/A
Libertarian Neil Scott 6,422 0.63% N/A
Independent American Barry Rubinson 5,208 0.51% −1.04%
Total votes 1,020,850 100.00%
Democratic hold

By county


Swing by county
Legend
  •   Democratic — +5-7.5%
  •   Democratic — +2.5-5%
  •   Democratic — +0-2.5%
  •   Republican — +0-2.5%
  •   Republican — +2.5-5%
  •   Republican — +5-7.5%
  •   Republican — +7.5-10%

By congressional district

Cortez Masto won three of four congressional districts.

District Cortez Masto Laxalt Representative
1st 52% 45% Dina Titus
2nd 43% 54% Mark Amodei
3rd 52% 46% Susie Lee
4th 51% 46% Steven Horsford

See also

  • 2022 United States Senate elections
  • 2022 Nevada elections

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