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2000 United States Senate election in Nevada

(Redirected from United States Senate election in Nevada, 2000)

The 2000 United States Senate election in Nevada was held on November 7, 2000. Incumbent Democrat Richard Bryan decided to retire instead of seeking a third term. Republican nominee John Ensign won the open seat. John Ensign defeated Ed Bernstein in a landslide despite George W. Bush carrying the state by a very narrow margin in the concurrent presidential election in the state.

2000 United States Senate election in Nevada
← 1994 November 7, 2000 2006 →
 
Nominee John Ensign Ed Bernstein
Party Republican Democratic
Popular vote 330,687 238,260
Percentage 55.09% 39.69%
County results
Ensign:      50–60%      60–70%      70–80%      80-90%
U.S. senator before election

Richard Bryan
Democratic

Elected U.S. Senator

John Ensign
Republican

Incumbent Richard Bryan had been re-elected in 1994, winning by a comfortable margin amidst a national Republican wave.

Background

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Incumbent Senator Richard Bryan had first been elected in 1988, and re-elected comfortably in 1994 amidst a national Republican wave. When he announced his retirement on February 18, 1999, many saw this decision as creating a competitive race.[1][2] Immediately, both parties sought top recruits, with Democrats favoring former governor Bob Miller, and Republicans seeking former congressman, and 1998 Senate nominee John Ensign.[3]

Democratic primary

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Candidates

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  • Ed Bernstein, attorney and talk show host

Declined

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Miller was interested, but on March 15, 1999 announced he would not run for Senate.[6] He chose not to run, as he liked living in Nevada and he and his family felt that 25 years in politics was enough.[6][7] With Miller out of the running, the next credible challenger was Nevada Attorney General Frankie Sue Del Papa. However, she would withdraw in September of that year, citing a lack of fundraising.[5] In the end, Democrats would nominate wealthy attorney and talk show host Ed Bernstein.[8]

Results

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Bernstein was unopposed in the Democratic primary.

Republican primary

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Candidates

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  • John Ensign, former U.S. Representative and nominee for the United States Senate in 1998
  • Richard Hamzik
  • Fernando Platin, Jr.

Ensign, a former congressman, lost the 1998 Senate election to Harry Reid by a narrow margin of 401 votes. After this loss, Ensign contemplated leaving politics for good. Bryan's retirement shook up these plans and Ensign, a top recruit for the GOP, ran and became a top fundraiser.[7] Ensign faced only token opposition.

Results

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Republican primary results[9]
Party Candidate Votes %
Republican John Ensign 95,904 88.03
Republican Richard Hamzik 6,202 5.69
Republican None of these candidates 5,290 4.86
Republican Fernando Platin, Jr. 1,543 1.42
Total votes 108,939 100.00

General election

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Candidates

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  • Ernie Berghof (IA)
  • Ed Bernstein (D)
  • John Ensign (R), former U.S. Representative and nominee for the United States Senate in 1998
  • Bill Grutzmacher (CF)
  • J.J. Johnson (L)
  • Kathryn Rusco (G)

Campaign

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Ensign was the favorite leading in polls by double digits. and significantly outraising his opponent.[10][11] Bernstein would counter by loaning his campaign nearly $1 million of his own money.[12] The trajectory of the race would change in the late summer when Ensign would face attacks for his anti-abortion stance and for voting to slash Social Security benefits. Ensign also was hurt by his comments claiming tax payer funded abortion to be worse than rape.[13] Bernstein also drew attention for his campaign by taking a group of senior citizens to Mexico to get them prescription drugs and highlight the high prices of prescription drugs.[14] However, even with these developments, Ensign still maintained a comfortable lead in polling in the closing weeks of the race.[15]

Debates

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Results

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On election night, Ensign won comfortably, winning every county and ending a 12 year losing streak for Republicans in the states Senate races.[16]

General election results[17]
Party Candidate Votes % ±%
Republican John Ensign 330,687 55.09% +14.09%
Democratic Edward M. Bernstein 238,260 39.69% −11.24%
None of These Candidates 11,503 1.92% -1.40%
Green Kathryn Rusco 10,286 1.71%
Libertarian J.J. Johnson 5,395 0.90% −0.67%
Independent American Ernie Berghof 2,540 0.42% −1.01%
Citizens First Party Bill Grutzmacher 1,579 0.26%
Majority 92,427 15.40% +5.47%
Turnout 600,250
Republican gain from Democratic

Counties that flipped from Democratic to Republican

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See also

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References

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  1. ^ a b Associated Press (February 19, 1999). Sen. Bryan, D-Nevada, bowing out. Sarasota Herald-Tribune. pp. 4A.
  2. ^ Dewar, Helen (February 19, 1999). "Bryan Announces Senate Retirement". Washington Post. Archived from the original on August 18, 2000. Retrieved July 8, 2023.
  3. ^ Associated Press (February 19, 1999). Parties jump to fill void left by retiring senator. Kingman Daily Miner. pp. 5A.
  4. ^ Associated Press (March 6, 1999). Chafee to retire, boosting Dems' hopes for Senate. Bangor Daily News. pp. A10.
  5. ^ a b Las Vegas Sun (September 9, 1999). "In withdrawal, Del Papa cites lack of funds - Las Vegas Sun Newspaper". lasvegassun.com. Archived from the original on July 8, 2023. Retrieved July 8, 2023.
  6. ^ a b "2000 Senate races heating up - March 15, 1999". www.cnn.com. Retrieved July 8, 2023.
  7. ^ a b Las Vegas Sun (November 8, 2000). "Little drama in Ensign win - Las Vegas Sun Newspaper". lasvegassun.com. Archived from the original on June 29, 2021. Retrieved July 8, 2023.
  8. ^ Assosciated Press (September 12, 1999). Political parties target seats for 2000 contest. The Southeast Missourian. p. 10.
  9. ^ "Results summary" (PDF). nvsos.gov. 2000. Retrieved May 7, 2021.
  10. ^ ncs-import. "Democrat Bernstein claims he's gaining on GOP front-runner Ensign". www.nevadaappeal.com. Retrieved July 8, 2023.
  11. ^ A 501tax-exempt; Street, charitable organization 1100 13th; NW; Washington, Suite 800; Dc 20005857-0044. "Nevada Senate 2000 Race". OpenSecrets. Retrieved July 8, 2023.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: numeric names: authors list (link)
  12. ^ Dewar, Helen (October 4, 2000). "In Fight for Senate, Deep Pockets Aid Democrats". Washington Post. Archived from the original on July 8, 2023. Retrieved July 8, 2003.
  13. ^ "Ensign, Bernstein seek rare open Senate seat - Las Vegas Sun Newspaper". July 8, 2023. Archived from the original on July 8, 2023. Retrieved July 8, 2023.
  14. ^ Cross, Joe (June 29, 2000). Senate candidate brings 'RX RV Road Tour to Town'. Pahrump Valley Gazette. p. 16.
  15. ^ Sonner, Scott (October 6, 2000). Surprising challenger tightens Nevada senate race. Kingman Daily Miner. pp. 4B.
  16. ^ "CNN.com - GOP ends 12 year losing streak in Nevada Senate race - November 7, 2000". www.cnn.com. Retrieved July 8, 2023.
  17. ^ "Office of the Clerk, U.S. House of Representatives". Clerk.house.gov. Retrieved May 7, 2021.
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