During the slightly Republican-leaning election year of 2022, a plethora of states saw competitive races for their statehouses and statewide executives. One such example was Nevada, where the Democratic-controlled state legislature drew Democratic gerrymanders. The Democratic gerrymander in the State Senate held in the 2022 elections, with Democrats gaining a seat in the chamber to increase their total to 13 from 12, while Nevada Republicans dropped to 8 seats from 9. The Nevada Republicans saw their party win the popular vote in the state by an astonishing margin (about 20%), but ended up losing a seat, no doubt due to the gerrymander and the fact that more Republican seats were up for election (the Nevada State Senate elects the chamber’s members in staggered terms) This article will look at the districts up for election in 2022 decided by 10.00% or less.
Nevada Senate Table Results and Elections Maps
| District | Rep | Dem | 3rd | Total | Rep % | Dem % |
| 1 | – | – | – | – | – | – |
| 2 | 5,350 | 12,442 | 0 | 17,792 | 30.07% | 69.93% |
| 3 | – | – | – | – | – | – |
| 4 | – | – | – | – | – | – |
| 5 | – | – | – | – | – | – |
| 6 | – | – | – | – | – | – |
| 7 | – | – | – | – | – | – |
| 8 | 25,944 | 26,698 | – | 52,642 | 49.28% | 50.72% |
| 9 | 19,875 | 22,823 | – | 42,698 | 46.55% | 53.45% |
| 10 | 12,284 | 16,714 | 1,096 | 30,094 | 40.82% | 55.54% |
| 11 | – | – | – | – | – | – |
| 12 | 24,104 | 26,609 | – | 50,713 | 47.53% | 52.47% |
| 13 | 14,618 | 23,416 | – | 38,034 | 38.43% | 61.57% |
| 14 | 47,925 | – | – | 47,925 | 100.00% | – |
| 15 | – | – | – | – | – | – |
| 16 | 42,871 | 28,172 | 0 | 71,043 | 60.35% | 39.65% |
| 17 | 53,823 | – | – | 53,823 | 100.00% | – |
| 18 | – | – | – | – | – | – |
| 19 | – | – | – | – | – | – |
| 20 | 44,567 | 25,712 | 1,968 | 72,247 | 61.69% | 35.59% |
| 21 | 14,603 | 18,428 | 0 | 33,031 | 44.21% | 55.79% |
| Total | 305,964 | 201,014 | 3,064 | 510,042 | 59.99% | 39.41% |
| Margin | R +104,950 | R +20.58% |
Nevada State Senate District 8
The 8th State Senate District is housed in the western boundary of Clark County and is a Democratic-leaning district. The district is located entirely within Clark County and had a Democratic voter registration advantage of 3,531 voters (3.26%) at the time of the election. It should be noted that non-affiliated and third-party voters make up a majority in the district when added together.
8th District Party Registration Data (As of December 2022)
| County | Republicans | Rep % | Democrats | Dem % | Other | Total |
| Clark | 31,618 | 29.17% | 35,149 | 32.43% | 41,610 | 108,377 |
| Total | 31,618 | 29.17% | 35,149 | 32.43% | 41,610 | 108,377 |
| Margin | D +3,531 | D +3.26% |
In the 2022 election for Nevada’s 8th State Senate district, incumbent Democratic State Senator Marilyn Dondero Loop for re-election, facing no primary opposition in the Democratic primary. In the Republican primary, a multi-candidate field took shape, with Joey Paulos emerging victorious against seven other candidates, taking 2,465 votes or 26.23% of the primary vote. Loop and Paulos advanced to a general election matchup in November.
8th District Election Data (In November Election)
| County | Paulos | Paulos % | Loop | Loop % | Total |
| Clark | 25,944 | 49.28% | 26,698 | 50.72% | 52,642 |
| Total | 25,944 | 49.28% | 26,698 | 50.72% | 52,642 |
| Margin | D +754 | D +1.44% |
In the general election, Loop won a narrow re-election victory over Paulos, who managed to keep Loop to a close race. Loop won the district by a margin of 754 votes (1.44%). This district will likely be a top Republican target in the 2024 elections when turnout will be a bit higher.
Nevada State Senate District 9
The 9th State Senate District is located entirely within western Clark County and is a Democratic-leaning district. In the district, Democrats enjoy an advantage of 9,889 voters (9.75%). This makes the district much more Democratic-leaning than the 8th Senate District.
9th District Party Registration Data (As of December 2022)
| County | Republicans | Rep % | Democrats | Dem % | Other | Total |
| Clark | 24,797 | 24.45% | 34,686 | 34.20% | 41,927 | 101,410 |
| Total | 24,797 | 24.45% | 34,686 | 34.20% | 41,927 | 101,410 |
| Margin | D +9,889 | D +9.75% |
In the 2022 election for the 9th Senate District, Democratic incumbent Melanie Scheible ran for re-election and ran unopposed in the Democratic primary. In the Republican primary, Tina Brown emerged victorious from a two-candidate primary with 4,564 votes (72.98%) against Tina Peetris, who took 1,690 votes (27.02%). Both Scheible and Brown advanced to the general election in November.
9th District Election Data (In November Election)
| County | Brown | Brown % | Scheible | Scheible % | 3rd | Total |
| Clark | 19,875 | 46.55% | 22,823 | 53.45% | 0 | 42,698 |
| Total | 19,875 | 46.55% | 22,823 | 53.45% | 0 | 42,698 |
| Margin | D +2,948 | D +6.90% |
After the general election, it became evident that Scheible had won a solid victory in the 9th Senate District, defeating Brown by 2,948 votes (6.90%). This seat will likely be a Republican target in 2024, although winning it will be more difficult than the 8th district.
Nevada State Senate District 12
The 12th Senate District is based entirely within southern Clark County and is a marginally Democratic leaning district. Democrats enjoy a 6,371 (5.77%) voter registration advantage in the district. The district would be at risk of a Republican pickup in a midterm election year where turnout dynamics are typically different, but otherwise Democrats would be favored in the district. Redistricting also made the seat more Democratic.
12th District Party Registration Data (As of December 2022)
| County | Republicans | Rep % | Democrats | Dem % | Other | Total |
| Clark | 29,989 | 27.17% | 36,360 | 32.94% | 44,035 | 110,384 |
| Total | 29,989 | 27.17% | 36,360 | 32.94% | 44,035 | 110,384 |
| Margin | D +6,371 | D +5.77% |
In the 2022 election for the 12th Senate District, both major political parties saw contested primaries for the election. The seat was an open seat election after the Republican incumbent retired. Julie Pazina won the Democratic primary against Lisa Guzman with 5,008 votes (58.14%), while Guzman took 3,605 votes (41.86%). On the Republican side, Cherlyn Arrington won the Republican primary with 4,588 votes (57.29%) against April Arndt, who garnered 3,420 votes (42.71%). Both Pazina and Arrington advanced to the November general election.
12th District Election Data (In November Election)
| County | Arrington | Arrington % | Pazina | Pazina % | Total |
| Clark | 24,104 | 47.53% | 26,609 | 52.47% | 50,713 |
| Total | 24,104 | 47.53% | 26,609 | 52.47% | 50,713 |
| Margin | D +2,505 | D +4.94% |
When all the votes were counted, Democratic candidate Pazina won a narrow victory over Republican candidate Arrington. Pazina won the district by a margin of 2,505 votes (4.94%). The seat will likely remain a Republican target in 2024.
