November 7, 2012 - 2:44 pm
Republican Sen. Dean Heller (Nev.) was able to fend off a challenge from Rep. Shelley Berkley (D-Nev.) yesterday to keep his seat.
With 100 of precincts reporting after overnight counting, Heller led Berkley 45.91 percent to 44.69 percent. Just 12,137 votes separated the two.
Longtime Vegas congresswoman Berkley was the target of an ethics probe delving into whether she pushed for policy that would mean financial gain for her family, particularly centering around her husband’s medical practice.
She stayed on Heller’s heels in this tight race, but the political appointee proved he’d deserved to be elected in his own right.
Besides the independent candidate, a “none of the above” ballot option got 4.51 percent of the vote.
Too bad he didn’t step up 2 years ago. He would have easily beaten Harry Reid.
Ticket splitters are an odd folk. Nevadans trust the Republican Heller to rep their state, but the Democrat Obama to guide the nation, in essence embracing 12% unemployment for themselves. Bizarre.
There were A LOT of liberals who loved Obama, but just couldn’t stand Berkley because she was too slimy. Many liberals and moderates voted for Heller, but many also voted “None of the Above” or not at all (the Senate contest had 16K fewer voters than the Presidential one).
Heller had been elected statewide three times before as Secretary of State and people could trust him because of the good work he did there.
It should also be noted that Nevada was the only state that Obama won where a Republican won the Senate seat. Nevada is definitely a “purple” state and Heller’s campaign should be studied.