- Seven Republicans hoping to face Democratic Nevada Sen. Jacky Rosen for the seat this November approached their party's front-runner, Sam Brown, who was absent from the debate.
- Among the candidates in attendance were former Secretary of State candidate Jim Merchant and former Ambassador to Iceland Jeff Gunter.
- Brown ran for Nevada's other Senate seat held by Democrat Catherine Cortez-Masto in 2022, but lost his party's nomination to former state Attorney General Adam Laxalt.
Seven Republicans vying for the party's Senate nomination in Nevada circled the familiar talking points of Republican politics during Thursday's debate, taking shots at the front-runner who made an apparently strategic decision not to attend. .
The debate, held at a casino ballroom in Reno, focused on strengthening border security, anti-abortion positions, and cutting government spending and size, but the candidates spent much of their time talking to retired Army Capt. Sam Brown. The retired Army captain has endorsed Washington, D.C., and is also contributing to a formidable 2022 campaign. He became a fundraising juggernaut in a crowded primary field.
While nearly every candidate criticized Brown for his absence, describing him as an establishment candidate who doesn't want to face voters, this is a little-known Republican trying to gain an edge in a friendly debate. It was a combative signal from the group.
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“Don't vote for Sam Brown. Look at one of the candidates here,” said retired U.S. Army lieutenant colonel and former deputy mayor of Modesto, Calif., and co-founder of the conservative group Red Move, which is organizing the debate. Founder Bill Conrad said. .
Mr. Brown's campaign said his decision to sit out the debate reflected his comfortable lead in resources and grassroots support. The non-engagement strategy has been adopted by other campaign front-runners, most notably former President Donald Trump.
“The numbers speak for themselves. Sam Brown is the only candidate in this race with the resources, support and grassroots energy to take on Jacky Rosen,” Brown's campaign said in a statement. said. “Nevada Republicans are united behind Donald Trump and Sam Brown because they are the only conservative champions who can defeat Biden and Rosen in November.”
Former U.S. Ambassador to Iceland Jeff Gunter was also absent from the stage after resigning last month, as he spoke at another Republican event, according to a campaign spokesperson.
“I will discuss Fraud Brown any day,” Gunter said in a statement, using the nickname he often uses to disparage Brown.
Retired Army Captain Sam Brown, the Republican front-runner to defeat Democratic Nevada Sen. Jacky Rosen in 2024, speaks in Reno, Nevada on June 14, 2022. (AP Photo/Tom R. Smedes, File)
Other candidates on stage included former Nevada Secretary of State candidate and election denier Jim Merchant. Tony Grady, Air Force veteran and former lieutenant governor candidate. Stephanie Phillips, real estate broker. and attorney Rhonda Kennedy.
Former President Donald Trump has skipped all Republican primary debates in the current presidential election, opting to hold rallies and appear on rival television networks despite being a strong front-runner, leaving the event with no viewers or viewers. It has captured the attention of the media. The last Republican primary debate between Florida Governor Ron DeSantis and former United Nations Ambassador Nikki Haley drew fewer than 2.6 million viewers.
Brown, who won a Purple Heart, is hoping for a repeat of the lackluster 2022 midterm elections, when flawed Republican candidates helped Democrats win battleground races and maintain the Senate majority. He was a candidate heavily recruited by Republicans in Washington, hoping to avoid him.
Two years ago, Brown criticized Republican front-runner Adam Laxalt, the top Senate candidate, for agreeing to only pre-recorded debates rather than live prime-time broadcasts.
“He must feel safe when he's in a closed studio at 8 a.m. on a Monday morning,” Brown said of the former Nevada attorney general, who had the support of some of the most influential figures in the Republican Party. No, there's no way working class Nevadans can challenge him there.” The numbers range from former President Donald Trump to then-Senate Republican leader Mitch McConnell.
Laxalt easily won the primary, but lost by a narrow margin to incumbent Democrat Catherine Cortez Masto in the general election.
Mr. Brown has often ignored past questions about his main opponent this term to focus his attacks on Democratic incumbent Sen. Jacky Rosen. He said the crowded field was a product of Mr. Rosen's leadership, not of Mr. Rosen's leadership.
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But Rosen's name was barely mentioned Thursday as Brown withstood his opponent's attacks.
“I want you to remember what's not here,” Kennedy said.
