Nevada’s Democrats still backing Biden as their party’s candidate

Nevada’s Democratic congressional members are standing with President Joe Biden as the party’s presidential nominee, despite some national calls to have him step aside.

Biden, who is scheduled to visit Las Vegas to speak at multiple events next week, also doubled down on his commitment to stay in the campaign on Monday, citing the many Democratic voters who chose him as the party’s nominee during the presidential primaries.

Rep. Steven Horsford, who chairs the Black Congressional Caucus, said in a statement posted to his social media Monday that Biden is the nominee and has been selected by millions of voters across the country, including in Nevada, where he received more than 89 percent of the votes.

“The voters in Nevada care about a thriving and equitable economy, taking on big corporations to lower costs and protecting the hard fought freedoms, rights and opportunities we’ve earned,” he said in the statement. “They’re focused on moving forward and reject the divisive politics of those who would like to take us back.”

Horsford said Nevada voters know Biden and Vice President Kamala Harris are fighting for them and don’t want to see Donald Trump back in the White House.

Sen. Catherine Cortez Masto echoed Horsford’s sentiments about Biden winning the Democratic nomination in a landslide.

“He’s always had Nevadans’ backs, whether it’s on the picket lines, protecting our personal freedoms, or lowering costs — now it’s time for us to have his,” she said in a statement posted on X on Monday.

Rep. Dina Titus, who has campaigned for Biden and was named to his re-election advisory board, said the goal is to show Nevadans who Biden really is and what he’s accomplished.

“You play the hand you’re dealt, and that’s what we’re going to do,” she told the Review-Journal last week.

Members of Nevada’s Democratic congressional delegation who face closer races for re-election expressed support for the president, while also distancing themselves.

Rep. Susie Lee said she expressed serious concerns after the debate and still has them.

“Whether President Biden remains on the ticket is his decision, not mine,” she said in a statement. “He needs to prove to the American public that he can do the job for four more years.”

Even so, she compared Biden’s record of bringing infrastructure to the country, creating jobs and lowering prescription drug costs to Trump’s felony record and his role in overturning Roe v. Wade.

“If that is the choice, it’s a clear one for me,” she said.

A spokesperson for Sen. Jacky Rosen’s campaign painted the election as a choice between an administration “focused on lowering costs, growing the middle class, and restoring reproductive freedom” and “Trump’s MAGA agenda,” while distancing her from the president.

“Senator Rosen is focused on her own re-election campaign and continuing her track record as one of the most bipartisan, independent, and effective Senators,” the spokesperson said in a statement.

Contact Jessica Hill at jehill@reviewjournal.com. Follow @jess_hillyeah on X.