In 2010 Nevada Senate Race, Republicans Fight to Challenge Harry Reid

Las Vegas, Nevada -- The Nevada Republican Senate candidate elected in the June 8 Nevada Primary will start the campaign against incumbent Sen. Harry Reid with a projected 10-point-plus lead, according to a Rasmussen Report poll. There are numerous candidates running for the Republican nomination, but the three leaders at the moment are Sue Lowden, Danny Tarkanian and Sharron Angle.

The Nevada Senate race will be the center of national attention since Reid, the Senate's majority leader, is a key supporter of President Obama on Capitol Hill. Reid won his last election in Nevada with 61percent of the vote and now is hovering at a projected 40 percent of the vote before the Republican primary.

According to the latest polls supplied by Rasmussen, Lowden would capture 52 percent of the vote versus Harry Reid's 39 percent. Lowden has been the subject of attack ads already being paid for by Democratic Party supporters, regarding her comment on bartering for health care.

As a registered Republican that voted for Reid in 2004, the low polling numbers directly reflect Reid's partisan politics since he ascended to majority leader. Watching from the outside as a Nevada voter, Reid lost sight of why he was elected by Republicans and independents and the Republicans are looking to capitalize in November by unseating Reid.

Sue Lowden Runs on a Platform of Less Taxes and Less Federal Spending

Lowden is currently leading the Nevada Republican primary and Reid as the June 8 primary draws closer. Lowden has expressed her disdain for the new health care plan and federal spending in general. Lowden also is including a strong pro-life stance in her platform, which may be scaled back for the general election in November.

Lowden's current platform is in direct conflict with Reid, and his camp has already begun its campaign against Lowden, whom they feel will be their opponent in November. The upcoming election in November could be the most expensive in Nevada history and look for several appearances from President Obama before the November election.

As a small business owner, I have to lean toward Lowden at this time. The message must be sent to Capitol Hill that all incumbents must be voted out to create change and adjust the attitudes of the remaining politicians in Washington.

Danny Tarkanian Brings Family Name and Service to the Nevada Republican Primary

The Nevada Republican Senate ballot will see Tarkanian's famous family name. Tarkanian's father is Jerry Tarkanian, former UNLV Runnin Rebel basketball head coach and popular local Las Vegas celebrity. Danny Tarkanian, a lawyer and real estate agent has been trying to follow in his mother Lois' footsteps as a politician.

Tarkanian's platform revolves around repealing the current Health Reform Act and an aggressive plan to wean the United States off foreign oil. Tarkanian's plan actually calls for bringing Yucca Mountain online and doubling nuclear power output. Read his energy plan and ideas on off shore drilling here.

As a person that has pushed for clean energy, including solar and wind farms, Tarkanian's views on nuclear power and drilling for oil in Alaska don't speak to me personally. Although I am not opposed to nuclear energy, I believe Nevada could be the center of solar and wind energy in the near future. Tarkanian's plans for Yucca Mountain may be feasible but it does not fit Nevada's path anymore.

Sharron Angle Brings the Tea Party a Viable Candidate in the Nevada Republican Primary

Sharron Angle is the Tea Party candidate who has begun to make a dent against the two strong contenders at the forefront of the Nevada Republican primary. Angle has an aggressive plan to cut federal spending and do away with the Obama administration's cap and trade proposals.

According to the Las Vegas Review Journal story on May 13, Angle has now wrested second place away from Tarkanian. Lowden has the lead with 30 percent. Angle is second with 25 and Tarkanian garnered 22 of the 500 voters polled. See the Las Vegas Review Journal poll here.

The question will be if Angle can translate to the November primary. As a voter, I see Angle as a typical Republican who is too obsessed with issues that are not going to translate to our nation turning the corner toward a full economic recovery. Angle's platform mentions nothing of Nevada's newest and most important industry -- alternative energy. Nevada has become a leader in solar, wind and natural gas vehicles, yet Angle has completely ignored the economic impact of these new industries.

The remaining candidates offer some interesting views but ultimately won't be able to compete against the Republican machine. The interesting aspect of the three front runners will be their view of the Yucca Mountain project once the Republican primary comes on June 8 and the general election campaign begins on June 9.
As a Nevada voter, this issue will play a major role in my decision come November.

Sources:

Las Vegas Review Journal May 13th-U.S. SENATE RACE: Tea Party power fuels Angle.
Rasmussen Report: Election 2010: Nevada Senate Race.
Sharron Angle for Senate: Platform.
Sue Lowden for Senate: Platform.
Danny Tarkanian for Senate: Platform.