After devastating losses in 2014, the Democratic Party seized back majority control of both houses in the Nevada state legislature.
Reno Public Radio’s Noah Glick reports.
Democrats won in a landslide in the Assembly, claiming 27 seats in the 42-member chamber.
During last night’s Washoe County GOP Viewing Party, Incumbent Republican Assemblyman Ira Hansen, who represents District 32 in Northern Nevada, said he’s not surprised.
“I think it’d be a miracle if Republicans maintained their majority in the Assembly, because frankly we behave like Democrats," Hansen said, "And if you’re going to have the largest tax increase in Nevada history and you’re give billion dollar deals to billionaires for stadiums and things like that, don’t be surprised if the Republican Party base abandons you.”
Democrats also secured victory in two tightly contested state Senate contests, which gives them a narrow 11-10 majority.
Democrat and former Sparks City Councilwoman Julia Ratti was one of those newly elected to the chamber.
"Clearly it’s such a wide range of emotions, right? You can’t just land on one," she said. "So I am so proud of the state of Nevada and so many dedicated volunteers who put in so many hours to turn Nevada blue. I mean, how can I not be excited about having Catherine Cortez Masto as my senator?”
The Republican-controlled Legislature of 2015 passed dozens of bipartisan education reforms and taxes to fund it. The next regular legislative session takes place next year.
