LAS VEGAS (AP) — Nevada Democrats will maintain their power in the statehouse but have fallen short of securing a two-thirds supermajority in both chambers that would have stripped the Republican governor of his veto power when they convene early next year.
Democrats lost their razor-thin supermajority of 28 seats in the state Assembly after Republicans successfully flipped a competitive district on the southern edge of Las Vegas. All 42 seats in the chamber were up for grabs this year. Democrats won 27 seats and Republicans clinched 15.
In the Senate, Democrats will retain at least 12 of the 21 seats, enough to keep their majority in the chamber. A race for a Las Vegas district was still too early to call on Tuesday, but its outcome can’t tip the balance of power to Republicans. Ten state Senate seats were up this year for election.
First-term GOP Gov. Joe Lombardo was not on the Nov. 5 ballot, but legislative control was put to the voters in a state where Democrats have controlled both houses of the Legislature all but one session since 2009. A supermajority in both houses would have allowed Democrats to override any vetoes from Lombardo and pass tax and revenue increases without a vote from state GOP lawmakers.