Rep. Susie Lee has won the Democratic primary in Nevada’s 3rd Congressional District, setting up a high-stakes general election fight in one of the country’s most competitive House seats.
Lee, who represents a swing district covering parts of the Las Vegas metro area and surrounding communities, defeated Democratic challengers James Lally, Terrill Robinson and Brandon West in Tuesday’s primary. Reuters reported that Lee’s win makes her the Democratic nominee in a race expected to play a major role in the battle for control of the U.S. House.
The general election will pit Lee against Republican Marty O’Donnell, who won the GOP primary with backing from President Donald Trump. Reuters described O’Donnell’s victory as another example of Trump’s influence in key Republican primaries ahead of the midterms.
Nevada’s 3rd District is one of the West’s most closely watched House contests. The Cook Political Report lists the seat as highly competitive, with a partisan lean of D+1. That means even small shifts in turnout, voter mood or national political conditions could shape the outcome.
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Lee has built her political brand around bipartisanship. The Lugar Center has ranked her among the more bipartisan members of Congress, and she has often emphasized her work across the aisle on local issues affecting Nevada families, workers and small businesses.
But Republicans argue that Lee’s moderate image does not match her voting record. They have criticized her opposition to Trump-backed legislation and are expected to connect her to national Democrats in the general election.
Her primary challengers tried to attack her from different directions. James Lally, a cardiologist and former Republican, questioned Lee’s bipartisan reputation and argued that Democrats needed a sharper message. Terrill Robinson, a Marine Corps veteran and former congressional staffer, campaigned on concerns about corporate money and government transparency. Brandon West, a union-connected candidate, focused on working-class issues and took strongly progressive positions, including ending U.S. aid to Israel and decommissioning ICE.
Lee also faced criticism earlier this year after a now-deleted social media post aimed at Trump drew backlash for its profanity. The post came after Trump suggested he might attend Supreme Court arguments in a birthright citizenship case. Lee later defended the emotion behind her message, saying her concern was about protecting the Constitution and the separation of powers.
That episode may resurface in the general election as Republicans look for ways to portray Lee as less moderate than she claims. But Democrats will likely argue that the race should focus on health care, affordability, reproductive rights, Social Security, tipped workers and whether Republicans in Washington are helping or hurting Nevada families.
The tipped-worker issue could become especially important. Trump’s “No Tax on Tips” message has been a major Republican talking point in Nevada, where Las Vegas-area hospitality and service workers make up a major share of the electorate. Republicans are likely to use that proposal to court casino, restaurant and hotel workers.
Lee will likely respond by emphasizing her record on Nevada-specific economic issues and by trying to keep the race focused on local concerns rather than national partisan fights.
The matchup against O’Donnell is expected to be expensive and closely watched. Nevada has repeatedly been one of the nation’s most competitive political states, and its House races often attract heavy outside spending. With the House majority likely to be narrow, both parties will treat NV-03 as a must-win contest.
Lee has a financial advantage heading into the general election. Reuters reported that her campaign had raised $3.9 million and had more than $3.3 million cash on hand as of May 20, far outpacing her Democratic primary opponents.
Still, the district’s competitiveness means the race is far from settled. Republicans will try to nationalize the contest around Trump’s agenda, immigration, inflation and public safety. Democrats will try to make the race about Lee’s record, O’Donnell’s alignment with Trump and issues where Nevada swing voters may be more moderate.
The result also reflects a broader theme in the 2026 midterms: incumbents in swing districts are trying to survive a polarized national environment while challengers from both parties push them to the ideological edge.
Lee survived her primary. Now comes the harder part — defending a battleground seat that could help decide which party controls the House.
Why It Matters
Nevada’s 3rd District is one of the most important House battlegrounds of 2026. Lee’s victory sets up a competitive general election against Trump-backed Republican Marty O’Donnell, with control of the House potentially hanging on races like this one.
It also matters because Lee’s bipartisan brand will be tested in a highly polarized election year. Republicans will try to tie her to national Democrats, while Lee will try to keep the race focused on Nevada issues and her congressional record.
What Comes Next
Lee and O’Donnell will now move into the general election campaign. Expect heavy spending from both parties and outside groups as Nevada becomes a major House battleground.
Key issues are likely to include affordability, tipped-worker taxes, immigration, abortion, public safety and whether voters see Lee as an independent voice or a reliable Democratic vote.
It is my Great Honor to endorse America First Patriot, Marty O’Donnell, who is running to represent the incredible people of Nevada’s 3rd Congressional District.
Marty is running against Susie Lee, a true Radical Left Extremist who does not represent the Values of Southern… pic.twitter.com/fZsZV1LAPv
— Commentary Donald J. Trump Truth Social Posts On X (@TrumpTruthOnX) June 8, 2026
