Nevada's 3rd Congressional District elections, 2014

U.S. House, Nevada District 3 General Election, 2014

Party		Candidate	Vote %	Votes
	Republican	Joe Heck Incumbent	60.8%	88,528
	Democratic	Erin Bilbray	36.1%	52,644
	Libertarian	Randy Kimmick	1.1%	1,566
	Independent	David Goossen	1.1%	1,637
	Independent	Steven St John	0.9%	1,344
Total Votes				145,719
Source: Nevada Secretary of State

2016 → ← 2012

Nevada's 3rd Congressional District

General Election Date November 4, 2014

Primary Date June 10, 2014

November 4 Election Winner: Joe Heck

Incumbent prior to election: Joe Heck

Race Ratings Cook Political Report: Likely R FairVote's Monopoly Politics: Lean R Sabato's Crystal Ball: Likely R

Nevada U.S. House Elections District 1 • District 2 • District 3 • District 4

2014 U.S. Senate Elections

The 3rd Congressional District of Nevada held an election for the U.S. House of Representatives on November 4, 2014. Incumbent Rep. Joe Heck (R) defeated Erin Bilbray (D), Randy Kimmick (L), David Goossen (I) and Steven St John (I) in the general election.

Although Nevada's 3rd District was one of Ballotpedia's U.S. House battleground districts in 2014, the final general election results revealed a less than competitive race, with Rep. Heck defeating Bilbray by 24.7 percent of the vote. Historically, Nevada's 3rd had been considered a swing district, and Heck had won his previous two election bids by much narrower margins. He won by 0.6 percent in 2010 and 7.5 percent in 2012. The district had voted Democratic in the previous two presidential elections, voting for President Barack Obama by 8.9 percent in 2008 and 0.8 percent in 2012.

Heading into the general election, political analysts such as those from The Cook Political Report, FairVote's Monopoly Politics and Sabato's Crystal Ball predicted an advantage for Republicans in the district. Many of these ratings had been changed from more competitive to less competitive during the election cycle. In July 2014, Rothenberg Political Report/Roll Call changed the race's rating from "Leans Republican" to "Republican Favored." Later, in August, The Cook Political Report commented that, "operatives on both sides agree Heck is in an enviable position." Then, on October 16, 2014, Sabato's Crystal Ball moved seven districts, including Heck's, from "Likely Republican" to "Safe Republican" due to "underwhelming Democratic candidates."

One major factor in Heck's success was his advantage in campaign contributions. Throughout the 2014 election cycle, Heck's campaign committee raised $2,402,397.89, over twice Bilbray's $1,118,057.80. In addition, outside groups spent $1,703,762 helping Heck in his re-election bid, while they spent only $13,473 supporting Bilbray.

Bilbray's disadvantage may have been compounded by a poorly run campaign. Even Democratic leaders who had initially supported Bilbray criticized her for her campaign strategies. Sen. Harry Reid (D) was one of the first to support Bilbray in her 2014 bid for election, but in August 2014, after three of Bilbray's staffers quit working for the campaign, Reid remarked, "Bilbray should win, but her campaign has been hit and miss. It hasn't been a great campaign."

Bilbray admitted that the campaign was a difficult process for her. She stated, "There's this model of candidates going into a back room with no windows and just being on the phone hour after hour after hour asking for money. For somebody who is really more gregarious like myself, who gets my energy from being with other people, that was very draining." The campaign went through three campaign managers in just eight months, and in May 2014 the Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee (DCCC) decided not to buy ads in Nevada's 3rd District, though they spent $43 million among 36 other districts. In October 2014, Roll Call rated Bilbray as one of the nine biggest "Candidate Flameouts," calling Bilbray one of the "2014 cycle’s most disappointing candidates."

Heck may have had an especially large advantage in 2014, as Republicans across the nation experienced what some called a "GOP wave," increasing their majority in the U.S. House and gaining the majority in the Senate. Many attributed this trend to midterm dissatisfaction and overall low approval ratings of President Barack Obama (D).

Candidate Filing Deadline	Primary Election	General Election
March 14, 2014	June 10, 2014	November 4, 2014

Primary: A primary election is an election in which registered voters select a candidate that they believe should be a political party's candidate for elected office to run in the general election. They are also used to choose convention delegates and party leaders. Primaries are state-level and local-level elections that take place prior to a general election. Nevada has a closed primary system, in which the selection of a party's candidates in an election is limited to registered party members.

Voter registration: To vote in the primary, voters had to register by May 10, 2014. For the general election, the voter registration deadline was October 14, 2014.

See also: Nevada elections, 2014

Incumbent: Heading into the election the incumbent was Joe Heck (R), who was first elected in 2010.

Nevada's 3rd Congressional District is located in the southern portion of the state and includes a portion of Clark County.

Candidates

General election candidates

• Joe Heck - Incumbenta
• Erin Bilbray
• Randy Kimmick
• David Goossen
• Steven St John

June 10, 2014, primary results

Republican Primary

• Joe Heck - Incumbenta

Democratic Primary

• Erin Bilbray - Democratic National Committeewomana
• Zachary Campbell

Withdrew

• Frank Kassela

Election results

General election

U.S. House, Nevada District 3 General Election, 2014

Party		Candidate	Vote %	Votes
	Republican	Joe Heck Incumbent	60.8%	88,528
	Democratic	Erin Bilbray	36.1%	52,644
	Libertarian	Randy Kimmick	1.1%	1,566
	Independent	David Goossen	1.1%	1,637
	Independent	Steven St John	0.9%	1,344
Total Votes				145,719
Source: Nevada Secretary of State

Primary election

U.S. House, Nevada District 3 Democratic Primary, 2014

Candidate	Vote %	Votes
Erin Bilbray	84%	13,204
Zachary Campbell	16%	2,511
Total Votes		15,715
Source: Nevada Secretary of State - Official Election Results

Race background

Republican incumbent Joe Heck's narrow re-election victory in 2012, combined with Obama's win over the district, signaled to the Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee that the 3rd District was vulnerable to partisan switch in 2014.

According to a Roll Call report released on Jan. 22, the DCCC capitalized on the elite guest lists at events surrounding the presidential inauguration to vet potential candidates in three promising congressional districts, including Democratic National Committeewoman Erin Bilbray, who had expressed interest in the 3rd District seat prior to her arrival in Washington.

Democratic Super PAC House Majority PAC listed incumbent Joe Heck as one of 10 they were targeting as vulnerable incumbent Republicans in 2014, with the focus on those holding competitive seats.

Primary election background

Bilbray won the Democratic primary on June 10, 2014, by a wide margin of victory. As of two weeks before the primary election, her challenger, Zachary Campbell, did not have a campaign website and had not done any significant advertising or fundraising. News articles simply referred to him as Bilbray's "little-known opponent." Meanwhile, Incumbent Rep. Heck ran unopposed for the Republican nomination.

Endorsements

Joe Heck

Joe Heck received the following endorsements for his 2014 re-election campaign:

• Mitt Romney

Erin Bilbray

Erin Bilbray was endorsed by the following groups:

• Planned Parenthood
• EMILY's List
• National Association of Letter Carriers
• Women's Campaign Fund
• American Federation of State, County and Municipal Employees (AFSCME) People

Issues

See also: Energy and the 2014 election: the ballots and beyond

Campaign themes

Joe Heck

Joe Heck listed the following issues on his campaign website:

"	Healthcare: Joe Heck is fighting for a better alternative. Joe Heck’s solution supports Nevada’s families by protecting the patient-physician relationship and reducing health care costs. Joe Heck is working to protect Medicare for Nevada’s seniors and preserve it for future generations. Jobs and the Economy: Joe Heck’s plan to fast track the tourist visa process will bring much needed economic growth to Southern Nevada and help businesses open and put Nevada men and women back to work. Government Spending: Joe Heck has pushed for an audit of the Federal Reserve and for a vote on a balanced budget amendment to the Constitution. Energy: Joe Heck also supports efforts to develop alternate sources of energy like wind, solar, geothermal and hydro power as part of a long range solution to the energy crisis. Joe Heck successfully sponsored the Hoover Power Act to ensure a supply of low cost, renewable energy from Hoover Dam for 50 years. Housing: He has supported programs that help homeowners who are underwater and introduced legislation to give folks who lost a home to foreclosure a second chance at homeownership and the American dream. Joe is an independent voice in gridlocked Washington who puts the interests of Nevada families and homeowners first. Excessive Regulations: Joe Heck supported efforts to stop new government regulations during this time of scarce jobs and high unemployment. Joe Heck also supported efforts restricting the ability of unelected bureaucrats to impose regulations on Nevadans that could cost jobs. Protecting Veterans: Dr. Heck believes the benefits of every service member who has sacrificed for his or her country must be safeguarded. Joe Heck believes we have a responsibility to deliver on the promises made to those who have volunteered to serve our country.	”
—Joe Heck, Campaign website (archive)

Erin Bilbray

Erin Bilbray listed the following themes, among others, on her campaign website:

"	Jobs: "My highest priority is getting our economy back on track and creating an environment for businesses to create good-paying jobs to put still struggling Nevadans back to work. Congress can help small businesses succeed by getting out of the way, cutting red tape and excessive regulation, encouraging banks to lend again, and providing tax relief for small businesses. We need to encourage job growth here in Nevada–not China–by ending tax loopholes that encourage companies to go or expand overseas." Deficit and Spending: "Congress needs to take a lesson from Nevada families and live within its means. I will work to cut wasteful spending and take away Congress' credit card by enforcing pay-as-you-go rules. Our budget reflects our values: we can and must invest in our children, in infrastructure, and the ability of our seniors to retire with dignity while we continue to reduce the deficit. I'll work to eliminate corporate tax loopholes, while protecting tax relief for the middle class." Health Care: "Health care costs continue to be too high for both patients and small businesses. The Affordable Care Act contains a lot of common sense solutions, such as protecting coverage for those with pre-existing conditions, lowering drug costs for seniors, and allowing young people to stay on their parents' insurance plan for a longer period. But the results of full implementation remain to be seen. I believe we still need to do more to contain costs. I'm proud that my husband and I created Nevada's only completely free pediatric health clinic." Medicare and Social Security: "I will not support any plan to privatize Social Security and Medicare. I believe we cannot fix our fiscal problems on the backs of our retirees. Congress needs to address the deficit and spending by eliminating corporate tax loopholes, cutting spending, cracking down on waste and fraud, and tightening our belts. It is not right to ask Americans who have paid into a system their entire lives to sacrifice before Congress takes these issues seriously." Immigration: "I support comprehensive immigration reform that is tough, fair, and practical. First, we need to increase border security and enforcement. I support bringing people back into the immigration system legally through a path to citizenship for those without criminal records. Reform must include a reasonable plan for paying back taxes and fines, securing education, and gaining employment."	”
—Erin Bilbray, Campaign website (archive)

Randy Kimmick

Randy Kimmick listed the following issues on his campaign website:

"	Defense: It is long over due to bring our troops back home where they belong. We need to be able to defend the United States not the whole world. Foreign Policy: Neturality. It seems as if we are being led into another war, this time in the Urkraine. This country has little to do with our national self interest. I will oppose any efforts to involve us in this conflict. The war in Iraq is back. We have declared war on Syria. I oppose both of these new wars. Economy: From recent research there is a business cycle. It has an 8.6 year time frame. The variable is the volitility of the cycle. Our leaders assume they can change this cycle by passing laws. These only cause more problems. It is like trying to turn winter into summer. Better to understand there is a cycle. Like the seasons, learn to plan and live with them. Thanks to Armstrong Economics for all their work.	”
—Randy Kimmick, Campaign website (archive)

Steven St John

Steven St John listed the following issues on his campaign website:

"	I believe that it is a federal, state, county and city...it is a combined effort to create jobs.1.) We reduce taxes, reduce regulations and get government out of businesses combined with incentatves for those businesses that hire the unemployed as new employees. 2.) We expanded training classes other than leisure and hospitality and construction. 3.) We expand foreign markets for small businesses. 4.) Create, update, expand national jobs databases of jobs that are available by county or city. 5.) Subdize "mini" jobs 15 to 20 hours a week for seniors and students and a reward program for hiring long term employess as they do in Germany as a model. 6.) Diversify, significant incentatives for those businesses to move back from overseas and nationally to move to District 3 in Nevada. 7.) A new program-Co-Oping small businesses to form small groups to share the cost of doing business with understanding that they hire both the unemployed and new employees. 8.) Increasing funding for infrastructure. 9.) Increase tourism by more aggressive marketing throughout the U.S. 10.) Expand alternative energy focusing on roof top solar panels in district 3. My goal is simple. Create Jobs is my number one priority.	”
—Steven St John, Steven St John campaign website (archive)

Polls

General election polls

Joe Heck vs. Erin Bilbray
Poll	Joe Heck	Erin Bilbray	Undecided	Margin of Error	Sample Size
The Mellman Group, Inc. (April 21-23, 2014)	39%	31%	30%	+/-4.9	400
Note: A "0%" finding means the candidate was not a part of the poll. The polls above may not reflect all polls that have been conducted in this race. Those displayed are a random sampling chosen by Ballotpedia staff. If you would like to nominate another poll for inclusion in the table, send an email to [email protected]

Key votes

Government affairs

HR 676

See also: Boehner's lawsuit against the Obama administration

On July 30, 2014, the U.S. House approved a resolution 225 to 201 to sue President Barack Obama for exceeding his constitutional authority. Five Republicans—Thomas Massie of Kentucky, Paul Broun of Georgia, Scott Garrett of New Jersey, Walter Jones of North Carolina and Steve Stockman of Texas—voted with Democrats against the lawsuit. Heck joined the other 224 Republicans in favor of the lawsuit. All Democrats voted against the resolution.

Campaign contributions

Joe Heck

Candidates for Congress were required to file up to seven main reports with the Federal Election Commission during the 2014 elections season. Below are Heck's reports.

Joe Heck (2014) Campaign Finance Reports
Bericht	Date Filed	Beginning Balance	Total Contributions for Reporting Period	Expenditures	Cash on Hand
April Quarterly	April 15, 2013	$231,236.32	$169,940.84	$(108,345.45)	$292,831.71
July Quarterly	July 15, 2013	$292,831.71	$431,795.36	$(65,985.41)	$658,641.66
October Quarterly	October 15, 2013	$658,641.66	$242,700.25	$(78,984.17)	$822,357.74
Year-End Quarterly	January 31, 2014	$822,357.74	$273,331.97	$(75,540.11)	$1,020,149.60
April Quarterly	April 15, 2014	$1,020,149.60	$365,086.36	$(146,240.62)	$1,238,995.34
Pre-Primary	May 29, 2014	$1,238,995.34	$243,890.00	$(106,217.44)	$1,376,667.90
July Quarterly	July 15, 2014	$1,376,667.90	$143,493.29	$(59,313.97)	$1,460,847.22
October Quarterly	October 15, 2014	$1,460,847.22	$441,914.65	$(621,049.73)	$1,281,712.14
Pre-General	October 23, 2014	$1,281,712.14	$90,245.17	$(281,358.60)	$1,090,598.71
			Running totals
			$2,402,397.89	$(1,543,035.5)

Erin Bilbray

Candidates for Congress were required to file up to seven main reports with the Federal Election Commission during the 2014 elections season. Below are Bilbray's reports.

Erin Bilbray (2014) Campaign Finance Reports
Bericht	Date Filed	Beginning Balance	Total Contributions for Reporting Period	Expenditures	Cash on Hand
October Quarterly	October 14, 2013	$0.00	$253,158.62	$(58,224.04)	$194,934.58
Year-End	January 31, 2014	$194,934.58	$164,661.65	$(114,072.54)	$245,523.69
April Quarterly	April 15, 2014	$245,523.69	$271,528.27	$(90,533.67)	$426,518.29
Pre-Primary	May 29, 2014	$426,518.29	$76,689.64	$(115,831.70)	$387,376.23
July Quarterly	July 15, 2014	$387,376.23	$147,599.72	$(35,833.27)	$499,142.68
October Quarterly	October 15, 2014	$499,142.68	$172,864.20	$(561,896.14)	$110,110.74
Pre-General	October 23, 2014	$110,110.74	$31,555.70	$(93,545.85)	$48,120.59
			Running totals
			$1,118,057.8	$(1,069,937.21)

Media

SEIU

Service Employees International Union (SEIU) launched an ad campaign on July 15, 2014, targeting four Republican incumbents in the U.S. House over their chamber’s inaction on immigration reform in 2014.

The ad campaign targeted Cory Gardner and Mike Coffman (Colorado) of Colorado, David Valadao of California and Heck of Nevada with a round of Spanish-language television ads for about two weeks. The ad buy was in the mid-six figures.

Erin Bilbray

Introductory campaign video from Erin Bilbray

District history

Candidate ballot access
Find detailed information on ballot access requirements in all 50 states and Washington, D.C.

2012

The 3rd Congressional District of Nevada held an election for the U.S. House of Representatives on November 6, 2012, in which incumbent Joe Heck (R) won re-election. He defeated John Oceguera (D), Tom Jones (Independent American) and Jim Murphy (I) in the general election. The primary was held on June 12.

U.S. House, Nevada District 3 General Election, 2012

Party		Candidate	Vote %	Votes
	Democratic	John Oceguera	42.9%	116,823
	Republican	Joe Heck Incumbent	50.4%	137,244
	Independent American Party of Nevada	Tom Jones	2.1%	5,600
	Independent	Jim Murphy	4.7%	12,856
Total Votes				272,523
Source: Nevada Secretary of State "U.S. House of Representatives Results"

2010

On November 2, 2010, Joseph Heck won election to the United States House. He defeated incumbent Dina Titus (D), Barry Michaels (I), Scott David Narter (Independent American) and Joseph P. Silvestri (L) in the general election.

U.S. House, Nevada District 3 General Election, 2010
Party		Candidate	Vote %	Votes
	Republican	Joseph Heck	48.1%	128,916
	Democratic	Dina Titus incumbent	47.5%	127,168
	Independent	Barry Michaels	2.4%	6,473
	Independent American	Scott David Narter	0.5%	1,291
	Libertarian	Joseph P. Silvestri	1.5%	4,026
Total Votes				267,874

See also

• United States House of Representatives elections in Nevada, 2014
• United States House of Representatives elections, 2014
• Battleground Friday: Nevada's 3rd Congressional District

External links

• Nevada Elections Center

Footnotes

[show]

Nevada's current delegation to the United States Congress

Senators

Catherine Masto (D)

Jacky Rosen (D)

Representatives

District 1

Dina Titus (D)

District 2

Mark Amodei (R)

District 3

Susie Lee (D)

District 4

Steven Horsford (D)

Democratic Party (5)

Republican Party (1)