2000 United States Senate election in Nevada

none March 2026 September 2023 2000 United States Senate election in Nevada Nevada presidential no 1994 United States Senate election in Nevada 1994 2006 United States Senate election in Nevada 2006 November 7, 2000 File:John Ensign official portrait (cropped).jpg 150x150px John Ensign Republican Party (United States) 330,687 55.09% 3x4.svg Ed Bernstein Democratic Party (United States) 238,260 39.69% 2000 United States Senate election in Nevada results map by county.svg 250px County resultsEnsign: #e27f7f 50–60% #d75d5d 60–70% #d72f30 70–80% #c21b18 80–90% U.S. Senator Richard Bryan Democratic Party (United States) John Ensign Republican Party (United States) The 2000 United States Senate election in Nevada was held on November 7, 2000. Incumbent Democrat Richard Bryan decided to retire instead of seeking a third term. Republican nominee John Ensign won the open seat, defeating Ed Bernstein in a landslide despite George W. Bush carrying the state by a very narrow margin in the concurrent presidential race. Ensign is one of the two freshmen Republican senators alongside George Allen in the 107th Congress. Bryan had been re-elected in 1994, winning by a comfortable margin amidst a national Republican wave. Background Incumbent Senator Richard Bryan had first been elected in 1988, and re-elected comfortably in 1994 amidst a national Republican wave. When he announced his retirement on February 18, 1999, many saw this decision as creating a competitive race.Dewar Helen February 19, 1999 Bryan Announces Senate Retirement https://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-srv/politics/campaigns/keyraces2000/stories/bryan021999.htm live https://web.archive.org/web/20000818081358/https://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-srv/politics/campaigns/keyraces2000/stories/bryan021999.htm August 18, 2000 July 8, 2023 Washington Post Immediately, both parties sought top recruits, with Democrats favoring former governor Bob Miller, and Republicans seeking former congressman, and 1998 Senate nominee John Ensign.Associated Press https://books.google.com/books?id=kvdPAAAAIBAJ&dq=richard+bryan+nevada+1994&pg=PA3&article_id=6389,1893900 Parties jump to fill void left by retiring senator Kingman Daily Miner February 19, 1999 5A en Democratic primary Candidates Ed Bernstein, attorney and talk show host Declined Richard Bryan, incumbent Senator since 1989.Associated Press https://books.google.com/books?id=kAUiAAAAIBAJ&dq=richard+bryan+won%27t+run+for+re-election&pg=PA3&article_id=6751,3737738 Sen. Bryan, D-Nevada, bowing out Sarasota Herald-Tribune February 19, 1999 4A en Bob Miller, former Governor of Nevada 1989-1999.Associated Press https://books.google.com/books?id=uaRJAAAAIBAJ&dq=bob+miller+nevada+senate+1999&pg=PA14&article_id=1312,62734 Chafee to retire, boosting Dems' hopes for Senate Bangor Daily News March 6, 1999 A10 en Frankie Sue Del Papa, Nevada Attorney General since 1991.Las Vegas Sun 1999-09-09 In withdrawal, Del Papa cites lack of funds - Las Vegas Sun Newspaper https://lasvegassun.com/news/1999/sep/09/in-withdrawal-del-papa-cites-lack-of-funds/ live https://web.archive.org/web/20230708012326/https://lasvegassun.com/news/1999/sep/09/in-withdrawal-del-papa-cites-lack-of-funds/ July 8, 2023 2023-07-08 lasvegassun.com en Miller was interested, but on March 15, 1999 announced he would not run for Senate.2000 Senate races heating up - March 15, 1999 https://www.cnn.com/ALLPOLITICS/stories/1999/03/15/senate.2000/ 2023-07-08 www.cnn.com He chose not to run, as he liked living in Nevada and he and his family felt that 25 years in politics was enough.Las Vegas Sun 2000-11-08 Little drama in Ensign win - Las Vegas Sun Newspaper https://lasvegassun.com/news/2000/nov/08/little-drama-in-ensign-win/ live https://web.archive.org/web/20210629002113/https://lasvegassun.com/news/2000/nov/08/little-drama-in-ensign-win/ June 29, 2021 2023-07-08 lasvegassun.com en With Miller out of the running, the next credible challenger was Nevada Attorney General Frankie Sue Del Papa. However, she would withdraw in September of that year, citing a lack of fundraising. In the end, Democrats would nominate wealthy attorney and talk show host Ed Bernstein.Assosciated Press https://books.google.com/books?id=Qx8vAAAAIBAJ&dq=ed+bernstein+nevada+senate+1999&pg=PA6&article_id=2956,1983365 Political parties target seats for 2000 contest The Southeast Missourian September 12, 1999 10 en Results Bernstein was unopposed in the Democratic primary. Republican primary Candidates John Ensign, former U.S. Representative and nominee for the United States Senate in 1998 Richard Hamzik Fernando Platin, Jr. Ensign, a former congressman, lost the 1998 Senate election to Harry Reid by a narrow margin of 401 votes. After this loss, Ensign contemplated leaving politics for good. Bryan's retirement shook up these plans and Ensign, a top recruit for the GOP, ran and became a top fundraiser. Ensign faced only token opposition. Results Republican primary resultshttp://nvsos.gov/SOSelectionPages/results/2000Primary/ElectionSummary.aspx Results summary 2000 nvsos.gov PDF 2021-05-07 John Ensign Republican Party (United States) 95,904 88.03 Richard Hamzik Republican Party (United States) 6,202 5.69 None of these candidates Republican Party (United States) 5,290 4.86 Fernando Platin, Jr. Republican Party (United States) 1,543 1.42 108,939 100.00 General election Candidates Ernie Berghof (IA) Ed Bernstein (D) John Ensign (R), former U.S. Representative and nominee for the United States Senate in 1998 Bill Grutzmacher (CF) J.J. Johnson (L) Kathryn Rusco (G) Campaign Ensign was the favorite leading in polls by double digits. and significantly outraising his opponent.ncs-import Democrat Bernstein claims he's gaining on GOP front-runner Ensign http://www.nevadaappeal.com/news/2001/dec/19/democrat-bernstein-claims-hes-gaining-on-gop-front/ 2023-07-08 www.nevadaappeal.com enA 501tax-exempt Street charitable organization 1100 13th NW Washington Suite 800 Dc 20005857-0044 Nevada Senate 2000 Race https://www.opensecrets.org/races/summary?cycle=2000&id=NVS1 2023-07-08 OpenSecrets en Bernstein would counter by loaning his campaign nearly $1 million of his own money.Dewar Helen October 4, 2000 In Fight for Senate, Deep Pockets Aid Democrats https://www.washingtonpost.com/archive/politics/2000/10/04/in-fight-for-senate-deep-pockets-aid-democrats/0f75001f-6f72-42a0-992f-c36535a5a99b/ live https://web.archive.org/web/20230708020654/https://www.washingtonpost.com/archive/politics/2000/10/04/in-fight-for-senate-deep-pockets-aid-democrats/0f75001f-6f72-42a0-992f-c36535a5a99b/ July 8, 2023 July 8, 2003 Washington Post The trajectory of the race would change in the late summer when Ensign would face attacks for his anti-abortion stance and for voting to slash Social Security benefits. Ensign also was hurt by his comments claiming tax payer funded abortion to be worse than rape.2023-07-08 Ensign, Bernstein seek rare open Senate seat - Las Vegas Sun Newspaper https://lasvegassun.com/news/2000/sep/30/ensign-bernstein-seek-rare-open-senate-seat/ 2023-07-08 https://web.archive.org/web/20230708021426/https://lasvegassun.com/news/2000/sep/30/ensign-bernstein-seek-rare-open-senate-seat/ 2023-07-08 Bernstein also drew attention for his campaign by taking a group of senior citizens to Mexico to get them prescription drugs and highlight the high prices of prescription drugs.Cross Joe https://books.google.com/books?id=V_gkAAAAIBAJ&dq=ed+bernstein+run+for+senate&pg=PA16&article_id=1370,479415 Senate candidate brings 'RX RV Road Tour to Town' Pahrump Valley Gazette June 29, 2000 16 en However, even with these developments, Ensign still maintained a comfortable lead in polling in the closing weeks of the race.Sonner Scott https://books.google.com/books?id=_L9aAAAAIBAJ&dq=ensign+bernstein&pg=PA8&article_id=6718,634699 Surprising challenger tightens Nevada senate race Kingman Daily Miner October 6, 2000 4B en Debates Complete video of debate, October 10, 2000 Complete video of debate, October 20, 2000 Results On election night, Ensign won comfortably, winning every county and ending a 12 year losing streak for Republicans in the states Senate races.CNN.com - GOP ends 12 year losing streak in Nevada Senate race - November 7, 2000 https://www.cnn.com/2000/ALLPOLITICS/stories/11/07/senate.nevada/ 2023-07-08 www.cnn.com General election resultshttp://clerk.house.gov/member_info/electionInfo/2000/2000Stat.htm Office of the Clerk, U.S. House of Representatives Clerk.house.gov 2021-05-07 Republican Party (United States) John Ensign 330,687 55.09% +14.09% Democratic Party (United States) Edward M. Bernstein 238,260 39.69% -11.24% 11,503 1.92% -1.40% Green Party (United States) Kathryn Rusco 10,286 1.71% Libertarian Party (United States) J.J. Johnson 5,395 0.90% -0.67% Independent American Party of Nevada Ernie Berghof 2,540 0.42% -1.01% Citizens First Party Bill Grutzmacher 1,579 0.26% 92,427 15.40% +5.47% 600,250 Republican Party (United States) Democratic Party (United States) By county CountyJohn EnsignRepublicanEd BernsteinDemocraticVarious candidatesOther partiesMarginTotal#%#%#%#%Carson City11,97360.9%6,36932.9%1,1946.2%5,42428.0%19,356Churchill6,45373.4%1,94122.1%3994.5%4,51251.3%8,793Clark190,07150.7%168,03944.8%16,6754.5%22,0325.9%374,785Douglas12,02767.1%4,79526.7%1,1066.1%7,23240.4%17,928Elko11,30380.2%2,12015.0%6745.7%9,18365.2%14,097Esmeralda33468.3%10922.3%469.4%22546.0%489Eureka63075.2%15418.4%546.4%47656.8%838Humboldt3,72374.0%1,00620.0%3036.1%2,71754.0%5,032Lander1,60976.5%36417.3%1316.2%1,24559.2%2,104Lincoln1,40272.9%41821.7%1025.2%98451.2%1,922Lyon7,78965.5%3,34328.1%7626.4%4,44637.4%11,984Mineral1,27255.9%85437.5%1516.7%41818.4%2,277Nye7,36260.6%4,15034.1%6415.3%3,21226.5%12,153Pershing1,26270.4%41022.9%1206.7%85247.5%1,792Storey1,10862.4%54330.6%1247.0%56531.8%1,775Washoe70,16157.8%42,67235.1%8,6467.2%27,48923.7%121,479White Pine2,38867.5%97327.5%1755.0%1,41540.0%3,536Totals330,68755.1%238,26039.7%31,3035.2%92,42715.4%600,250 Counties that flipped from Democratic to Republican Carson City Clark (largest municipality: Las Vegas) Humboldt (largest municipality: Winnemucca) Lyon (largest municipality: Fernley) Mineral (largest municipality: Hawthorne) Pershing (largest municipality: Lovelock) Storey (largest municipality: Virginia City) Washoe (largest municipality: Reno) White Pine (largest municipality: Ely) right 250px Swing by county 250px Trend relative to the state by county Legend #09ceff Democratic—+20%−25% #4bdbff Democratic—+15%−20% #77e3ff Democratic—+10−15% #aaeeff Democratic—+5−10% #D5F6FF Democratic—+<5% #FFD5D5 Republican—+<5% #FFAAAA Republican—+5−10% #FF8080 Republican—+10−15% #FF5555 Republican—+15−20% #FF2A2A Republican—+20−25% #FF0000 Republican—+25−30% #D40000 Republican—+30–40% #b80000 Republican—+40–50% #990000 Republican—+>50% 250px County flips Legend Republican #f48882 Hold #ca0120 Flip See also 2000 United States Senate elections References External links Official campaign websites (archived) John Ensign (R) for Senate Ed Bernstein (D) for Senate Nevada 2000 Category:2000 Nevada elections