Nevada GOP Senate Race: Crowded Primary Could Impact General Election

Republican Senate candidate Sam Brown discusses the ongoing Trump trial and the potential impact of a crowded primary on the general election in Nevada. Concerns arise that divisive primary races in Nevada and Michigan could make general elections more difficult for frontrunners, despite clear frontrunners in both states.

Republican Senate candidate Sam Brown recently discussed the ongoing Trump trial and a number of other topics following the opening of a new campaign office in Reno. Republicans are looking to take advantage of a difficult Senate election map for Democrats in November, but crowded primary races in top swing states could hurt the party's attempts to capture key Senate seats, according to some experts.

"Campaign lore would suggest that any ‘divisive primary’ is going to advantage the other party at the polls in the general," said Jacob Neiheisel, an associate professor of political science at the State University of New York at Buffalo.

In Nevada, which will have its Senate primaries on June 11, and Michigan, which won't see its primary elections until August, the Republican fields ended up being relatively large despite having clear frontrunners. The Senate seats are both occupied by Democrats, with Sen. Jacky Rosen, D-Nev., running for re-election. However, Michigan became more competitive by Sen. Debbie Stabenow, D-Mich., deciding to retire at the end of her term.

Divisive primaries in Nevada and Michigan could make general elections more difficult for frontrunners Sam Brown and Mike Rogers, should they receive their states' nominations. (Getty Images)

Nevada's Senate race is one of the few contests considered a "toss-up," according to non-partisan political handicapper the Cook Political Report. The Michigan election is labeled "Lean Democratic."

"Trump’s expected endorsement is causing the Senate GOP to hold its breath," Republican strategist Ron Bonjean, former top spokesman to Senate Majority Leader Trent Lott and former chief of staff of the Senate Republican Conference, said of the primary in Nevada. "If he endorses [Jeff] Gunter over Brown and his popularity, it could very well give Sen. Rosen and Democrats the upper hand at winning here," he explained, referencing the former Trump ambassador to Iceland who is financing his own run against frontrunner Ret. Army Capt. Sam Brown in the GOP primary.

There are several contenders vying for the Republican Senate nomination in Nevada, the most prominent being Brown, Gunter, and former Nevada State Rep. Jim Marchant.

Rosen campaign spokesperson Johanna Warshaw told Fox News Digital in a statement, "While her extreme MAGA opponents like Sam Brown have been forced to spend the past year fighting to prove who is most loyal to Donald Trump and embracing a far-right agenda, Jacky Rosen is focused on winning the general election and sharing her record as one of the most bipartisan and effective senators who delivers for Nevadans."

"The messy MAGA Republican primary has been a stark contrast with Jacky’s record of working across party lines to lower costs for hardworking families and being an independent voice for Nevada."

Fox News Digital reached out to Brown's campaign for comment.

While some suggested the drama of the primary season could bleed into the general election, others pushed back. According to Nevada Republican strategist Jeremy Hughes, "Crowded primaries are commonplace in today’s politics. In fact, Gov. Lombardo had a primary in 2022 and was ultimately successful in the general."

"Republican voters will be united come November. Joe Biden, Alvin Bragg, and the Democrats are making sure of that."

"I think that whether or not the GOP primaries in these states redound to the benefit of the Democrats is going to depend on several factors, including whether the Republican Party's internal battles give the Democrats fodder that they can use against the nominee in the general election," Neiheisel claimed.

As for Michigan, former President Trump has already weighed in, endorsing former Rep. Mike Rogers for the Republican nomination. However, this hasn't stopped wealthy businessman Sandy Pensler, who is endorsed by former presidential candidate Vivek Ramaswamy, from continuing his bid. Former Rep. Justin Amash is also running for the nomination. Another former representative, Peter Meijer, recently suspended his primary campaign.

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