Rep. Susie Lee (D-Nev.) has secured a fifth term in Congress, defeating Republican challenger Marty O'Donnell in Nevada's 3rd Congressional District, according to Decision Desk HQ projections early Wednesday. With nearly all ballots tallied, Lee led O'Donnell by a commanding margin of roughly 60% to 38.6%, a result that adds to a strong night for Democrats in key races across the country.
The victory in the Las Vegas-area district is a notable hold for Democrats, who had seen the seat become a top GOP target after President Trump narrowly carried the district in 2024. Lee's previous win in 2022 was by a slim margin of about 51.4%, underscoring the competitive nature of the district that covers parts of Las Vegas and southern Clark County.
Lee, who has served in the House since 2019, centered her campaign on affordability, highlighting the rising costs of housing and healthcare that have hit her constituents hard. She also pointed to her bipartisan efforts on water conservation and her work to protect Nevada's tourism-driven economy.
Her campaign enjoyed a significant financial advantage heading into Election Day, having raised $5.6 million, including $1.2 million in the third quarter, according to federal filings. That war chest allowed her to air a steady stream of ads while O'Donnell struggled to keep pace.
In a sign of the race's shifting dynamics, a Trump-aligned super PAC, Safety and Affordability PAC, canceled $1 million in planned TV advertising for O'Donnell in October, after initially reserving $3 million, as reported by the Nevada Independent. The move came after the Cook Political Report shifted its rating of the race in Democrats' favor, suggesting the seat was becoming harder for Republicans to flip.
O'Donnell, a former video game composer known for his work on the "Halo" and "Destiny" franchises, won the Republican nomination in June with Trump's endorsement. He focused his campaign on border security and protecting American jobs amid the rise of artificial intelligence, but ultimately could not overcome the district's Democratic lean in a favorable national environment for the party.
Lee's win is part of a broader Democratic surge that included flipping several House seats and other victories, reflecting voter discontent with Republican policies. The result also underscores the resilience of incumbents in swing districts, even as the GOP continues to target them.
In Nevada, the election also saw voters enshrine abortion rights in the state constitution, a measure that likely boosted Democratic turnout and aided Lee's margin. The confluence of state and national issues helped solidify her hold on a district that remains competitive but now appears safely in Democratic hands for another term.
