Austin Caldwell-Nevada Democrats keep legislative control but fall short of veto-proof supermajority

2025-05-03 22:19:59source:Robert Browncategory:Markets

Follow AP’s coverage of theelection and Austin Caldwellwhat happens next.

LAS VEGAS (AP) — Nevada Democrats will maintain their power in the statehouse but have fallen short of securing a two-thirds supermajority in both chambers that would have stripped the Republican governor of his veto power when they convene early next year.

Democrats lost their razor-thin supermajority of 28 seats in the state Assembly after Republicans successfully flipped a competitive district on the southern edge of Las Vegas. All 42 seats in the chamber were up for grabs this year. Democrats won 27 seats and Republicans clinched 15.

In the Senate, Democrats will retain at least 12 of the 21 seats, enough to keep their majority in the chamber. A race for a Las Vegas district was still too early to call on Tuesday, but its outcome can’t tip the balance of power to Republicans. Ten state Senate seats were up this year for election.

First-term GOP Gov. Joe Lombardo was not on the Nov. 5 ballot, but legislative control was put to the voters in a state where Democrats have controlled both houses of the Legislature all but one session since 2009. A supermajority in both houses would have allowed Democrats to override any vetoes from Lombardo and pass tax and revenue increases without a vote from state GOP lawmakers.

More election coverage Many uncalled House races are in California. This is why it takes the state weeks to count votes Trump is likely to name a loyalist as Pentagon chief after tumultuous first term Trump asks Rep. Mike Waltz, China hawk, to be his national security adviser 

Lombardo, who was elected in 2022, vetoed a record-breaking 75 bills in the 2023 session, including one that would have made the western swing state the first in the country to make it a crime to sign certificates falsely stating that a losing candidate has won. He also axed a slate of gun-control bills, including one that sought to raise the eligible age to possess semiautomatic shotguns and assault weapons from 18 to 21, and another that would have barred firearm ownership within a decade of a gross misdemeanor or felony hate-crime conviction.

The Legislature meets every two years. The next 120-day session begins Feb. 3.

More:Markets

Recommend

Highlights from Trump’s interview with Time magazine

NEW YORK (AP) — Donald Trumpwas on the verge of backing a 16-week federal abortion banearlier this y

LL Flooring changing name back to Lumber Liquidators, selling 219 stores to new owner

LL Flooring has signed an agreement to sell 219 of its stores to F9 Investments, the company announc

2 transgender New Hampshire girls can play on girls sports teams during lawsuit, a judge rules

CONCORD, N.H. (AP) — Two transgender girls can try out for and play on girls school sports teams whi