The 2008 congressional elections in Nevada were held on November 4, 2008, to determine who would represent the state of Nevada in the United States House of Representatives, coinciding with the presidential election. The election coincided with the 2008 U.S. presidential election. Representatives are elected for two-year terms; those elected would serve in the 111th Congress from January 3, 2009 until January 3, 2011.
Nevada had three seats in the House, apportioned according to the 2000 United States census. Its 2007âÂÂ2008 congressional delegation consisted of two Republicans and one Democrat. After the election, it consisted of one Republican and two Democrats, with District 3 changing from Republican to Democratic. CQ Politics had forecasted districts 2 and 3 to be at some risk for the incumbent party.
Results of the 2008 United States House of Representatives elections in Nevada by district:
This district covered most of the City of Las Vegas, as well as parts of North Las Vegas and parts of unincorporated Clark County. Incumbent Democrat Shelley Berkley, who had represented the district since 1999, ran for re-election. She was re-elected with 51.2% of the vote in 2006 and the district had a PVI of D+9.
This district covered all of Nevada except for parts of Clark County. Reno, along with surrounding Washoe County, casts about 70% of the district's vote. The 2nd District had been represented by Republicans continuously since its creation. Incumbent Republican Dean Heller, who had represented the district since 2007, ran for re-election. He was elected with 50.3% of the vote in 2006 and the district had a PVI of R+8.
This district covered the suburbs of Las Vegas, including Henderson, parts of North Las Vegas and Summerlin, and much of unincorporated Clark County. Incumbent Republican Jon Porter, who had represented the district since 2003, ran for re-election. He was re-elected with 48.5% of the vote in 2006 and the district had a PVI of D+1.
Leading Democratic candidates included Fraud Examiner Andrew Martin and Clark County prosecutor Robert Daskas, but Daskas dropped out in late April, citing family concerns. After losing their top candidate, the Democratic Party quickly recruited Titus, who had previously declined to run.
Porter was considered to be at risk due to the increasingly Democratic electorate in the 3rd District, having won by only 48% to 46% in 2006 against a former aide to U.S. Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid. George W. Bush had barely won this district with 50% to 49% for John Kerry in 2004.