Ret. Captain Sam Brown Takes the Lead in Nevada GOP Effort to Remove Democratic Senator Rosen from Office

Retired Army Capt. Sam Brown is counting on a late endorsement from former President Donald Trump to boost his chances of winning the state’s GOP Senate primary on Tuesday. This endorsement could give him the momentum needed to secure victory in the general election, which Republicans view as a key opportunity to gain a seat in the closely divided chamber.

The winner of the GOP Senate primary will face incumbent Sen. Jacky Rosen, D-Nev., in a highly contested swing-state Senate race.

Rosen, a first-term moderate senator, is defending her seat in a state that is also crucial in the presidential race. She is one of the top targets for Republicans in 2024. Democrats are facing a tough battle in defending Senate seats, especially in swing states like Michigan, Arizona, Wisconsin, Pennsylvania, and Nevada, where incumbent Democrats are running.

Republicans are aiming to win Democratic-held seats in states like Montana, Ohio, and West Virginia, which traditionally lean towards the GOP.

Brown, a Purple Heart recipient who was injured in Afghanistan, has been considered the front-runner in the GOP primary field since announcing his candidacy last summer. He has received endorsements from Republican leaders in Washington, D.C. and the National Republican Senatorial Committee.

National Republicans are determined to avoid a repeat of the lackluster performance in the 2022 midterms. They are focused on supporting strong candidates like Brown to secure key Senate seats.

Before facing Rosen in the general election, Brown must first defeat a crowded primary field. His opponents have criticized him for skipping debates and labeled him as the establishment candidate. This echoes the themes from his previous Senate campaign, where he challenged former Nevada Attorney General Adam Laxalt but lost to Democratic Sen. Catherine Cortez Masto.

The GOP primary field includes candidates like Jeff Gunter, Trump’s former ambassador to Iceland, and Jim Marchant, who gained national attention for his election denialism stance. Brown has highlighted his military service and leadership skills as key campaign messages.

Trump’s endorsement of Brown has provided a significant boost to his campaign. Trump expressed his support for Brown after weeks of teasing the endorsement.