Former President Donald J. Trump has endorsed Sam Brown, an Army veteran leading the Republican primary field in Nevada’s U.S. Senate race. Trump praised Brown as a patriotic American who will protect the border and improve the economy. Brown is the front-runner in the race, having raised more money than his rivals, earned the endorsement of the state’s Republican governor, and led in polls.
Brown’s late formal endorsement of Trump for a second term led to his primary rivals, including Jeff Gunter, positioning themselves as more aligned with the former president to gain his endorsement. Despite this, Trump eventually endorsed Brown, solidifying his status as the front-runner. Trump has promoted Brown’s strong performance in Nevada polls on his platform, Truth Social, and expressed admiration for him in interviews.
Brown expressed his appreciation for Trump’s endorsement and looks forward to working with him to secure a better future for Nevada and America. However, Senator Jacky Rosen’s campaign criticized the endorsement, calling Brown a “MAGA extremist” who prioritizes pleasing Trump over bipartisan cooperation. Gunter lamented the influence of “Mitch McConnell money” in the race, accusing Brown of being the establishment’s choice.
Brown, a former Army captain who was severely injured in Afghanistan by a Taliban explosive in 2008, underwent extensive surgeries over three years to recover. He previously ran for a Texas House of Representatives seat unsuccessfully before relocating to Reno in 2018. In 2022, he lost in the Republican primary for U.S. Senate, but now has the opportunity to face Senator Rosen in the general election.
If Brown advances to the general election, he may benefit from Trump’s popularity in Nevada, despite the state’s Democratic leanings in recent presidential elections. The state’s economy, heavily reliant on tourism, has struggled to recover from the pandemic, potentially impacting voter sentiment. Senator Rosen has distanced herself from President Biden in her reelection bid to appeal to Nevada voters. Brown’s platform focusing on border security and economic improvement resonates with conservative voters in the state.
