Drew Johnson has won the Republican primary in the battleground 3rd Congressional District and will face incumbent Democrat Susie Lee in what is expected to be a tough general election fight.
The Associated Press called the race for Johnson early Wednesday morning. The outcome is an upset victory for the candidate, who faced stiff competition in a crowded field of Republican rivals, including former Nevada state Treasurer Dan Schwartz and former Nevada state Sen. Elizabeth Helgelien.
“I’m honored to earn the trust and support of Republican primary voters in Nevada’s crucial 3rd Congressional District. The pundits didn’t give us a chance, but we outworked our opponents and overperformed expectations,” Johnson said in a statement.
Lee, who faced little competition in the Democratic primary, maintains a strong fundraising advantage and is expected to put up a tough fight with the backing of the Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee as the party aims to flip control of the House of Representatives from Republicans.
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Drew Johnson, Republican candidate for Nevada’s 3rd District, gives a tour of the Pioneer Saloon where he was holding a meet and greet in Goodsprings, Nevada. (Getty Images)
“Right now, voters are struggling to make ends meet, worried about our country’s open borders, and fearful of crime in their own neighborhoods. I look forward to providing voters with a positive vision for cleaning up the mess Susie Lee and Joe Biden have created,” Johnson said.
Republicans hold a slim 218-213 majority in the House and are aiming to expand that majority after losing a number of members to resignations and one expulsion over the past year.
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Rep. Susie Lee walks down the House steps at the Capitol, April 1, 2022. (Bill Clark/CQ-Roll Call, Inc via Getty Images)
Former Nevada state Treasurer Dan Schwartz was one of several Republicans running in the 3rd District GOP primary. (AP Photo/John Locher)
Election analysts rate the race as either “lean” or “likely” Democratic.