NV-02: Newly selected GOP nominee Mark Amodei
It may prove to be a symbolic victory, depending on the machinations of the Nevada state Supreme Court, but for the moment, the Nevada Republican Party's central committee has made their choice in the September special election to replace newly-appointed U.S. Senator Dean Heller: former state party chairman Mark Amodei
Amodei's triumph over two Republican hopefuls (state Senator Greg Brower and retired Naval Commander Kirk Lippold) may not have been a shocker. After all, Amodei headed the state party until last month, when he resigned in order to launch his bid for the 2nd district's House seat.
But the decisive nature of his victory was notable, to say the least:
In only one round of balloting, Amodei swept 221 of the 323 votes cast by members of the state GOP central committee, beating two other nominees, state Sen. Greg Brower and retired U.S. Navy Commander Kirk Lippold.
Amodei officially resigned as chairman of the party late last month.
"I will do my level best to make your decision here today look like a smart one," Amodei said, moments after the election.
Amodei's status as the nominee is not necessarily assured. You might recall that Nevada's Secretary of State, Democrat Ross Miller, had called for an all-candidate "battle royale" contest. He was overruled by district judge James Russell, who sided with the GOP's argument that the parties should still determine the nominees, despite the lack of a primary election.
The anointment today, however, may have had its intended impact. Runner-up Brower announced in the wake of the central committee's vote that he would give up his House bid. Intriguingly, Lippold pointedly refused to follow suit.
Democrats, along with Secretary of State Miller, have appealed Russell's ruling to the Nevada Supreme Court. A hearing is set for later this month.