After bruising race, Sisolak to confront a well-rested foe
The votes have been counted and the results posted, so the primary battle between Steve Sisolak and Chris Giunchigliani is technically over. But it’s not history. It could be felt all the way into November.
Sisolak won Tuesday night in the Democratic primary for Nevada governor, but the victory took months and cost millions — more than Gov. Brian Sandoval spent through both the primary and the general election in winning his first term.
And now, having poured $6.3 million into convincing Democratic voters he was a progressive, Sisolak faces the dual challenge of replenishing his resources and convincing voters across parties that he’s a moderate.
Oh, and one more point: His Republican opponent in November, Nevada Attorney General Adam Laxalt, comes into the general election campaign like a battle tank.
Laxalt, facing light competition, spent the equivalent of couch-cushion change in crushing his primary competition.
He received President Donald Trump’s endorsement, and the donations he’ll receive from the National Rifle Association and conservative Republican groups will come like they’re being shot from a fire hose.
Then there’s Laxalt’s rural appeal, which carried him to victory in 2014 despite losses in Clark and Washoe counties.
So Sisolak, the city candidate in an election that could easily become a ruralvs.-urban battle, won’t be able to sit back in Clark County and cruise. His travel itinerary figures to be fairly packed in the next five months, which would put yet more strain on his campaign budget.
But none of this is to suggest Sisolak is out of bullets, or that Laxalt is bulletproof.
Laxalt’s key weakness is one that money can’t buy him out of. In a purple state, he’s so far out on the right fringe that he’s practically off the spectrum.
His record on immigration issues, gun