In Summerlin, Democratic Assemblywoman Shea Backus (D-Las Vegas) is fighting to retain her seat in a race pivotal to her party’s efforts to attain veto-proof supermajorities in the Legislature in 2025.
But entering this year, Backus was far behind in the fundraising battle against Republican David Brog, whose $150,000 haul in 2023 more than doubled hers.
The outcome of the race and only a handful of others could shift the balance of power between the Democrat-controlled Legislature and Republican Gov. Joe Lombardo, who is backing Republican candidates who have the potential to unseat Democratic incumbents in competitive districts.
Soon after it was clear Brog had the fundraising advantage, a pro-Lombardo PAC pounced.
“He’s well-positioned to flip this crucial seat in November!” the group posted about Brog, citing an article that said Brog’s fundraising numbers “spell trouble” for Backus.
Fanfare around fundraising is not a new phenomenon. In legislative races, money — who has it, who is giving it, who is raising it — is a significant part of winning elections.