The Nevada Senate Republican Caucus has endorsed state Sen. Barbara Cegavske, R-Las Vegas, in her bid for Congress.
Cegavske announced she will seek the post despite the 13 point voter registration advantage Democrats hold in that district - 46 to 33 percent. Cegavske, however, has consistently been re-elected in a district where Democrats have more registered voters than the GOP - albeit a much smaller advantage.
She will compete with the winner of the Democratic primary between Senate Majority Leader Steven Horsford and Sen. John Lee.
"I have served with Barbara for 16 years in the Nevada Legislature and know that she will be an excellent member of Congress," said Minority Leader Mike McGinness, R-Fallon. "Barbara's strong work ethic and passion for improving public education are qualities that we need in Washington, D.C."
McGinness represents a large portion of the newly drawn Congressional District 4 including Esmeralda, Mineral and part of Lyon counties. In addition to part of Clark, it also includes Lincoln, Nye and White Pine counties.
When she announced the bid, Cegavske said her platform includes job creation and protection of Social Security.
"We can improve our economy and get people back to work if we send people to Congress who are committed to sound fiscal policy, sensible tax policy and regulatory reform," she wrote in her campaign announcement.
Since she is just half way through her third state Senate term, she would return to the Senate if she doesn't win. She can't run for another term in that post because of termlimits.
CD4 is 46 percent Democrat and 33 percent Republican.