Nevada Politics: Jacky Rosen Makes It Official, Says She Is Challenging Heller

Representative Jacky Heller, serving her first term in the House of Representatives, made it official Thursday - she is ready to move up to Congress's senior house; the Senate. Rosen, a Democrat, is looking to take the seat currently held by Dean Heller, a Republican.

Heller is considered the most vulnerable Republican running for re-election next year. He is the only Republican running for re-election in a state won by Hillary Clinton in 2016.

"I understand the frustration Nevadans feel towards Washington, and that’s why I’m running for Senate: to fight for the families I talk to every day who have been let down and are ready for change," Rosen said in a statement.

Rosen, a former computer programmer who has lived in Nevada for more than 40 years, made headlines when she defeated incumbent Danny Tarkanian and became the first Democrat to win the seat since 2008.

She is very proud of her coding past.

Rosen, who lives in Henderson where she was once president of the local synagogue, already has some high-powered support. (For more Nevada news subscribe to local news alerts on Patch and for more information on this and other political stories, subscribe to the White House Patch to receive daily newsletters and breaking news alerts.)

Former Senator Harry Reid, who retired last year, is said to have helped push her toward running. He helped behind her decision, having recruited her with the help of the man who succeeded him as Senate Majority Leader, Charles Schumer.

"Now more than ever, Nevadans deserve a Senator they can trust to be an independent voice standing up to President Trump, not his enabler.," she sad of Heller. "Senator Heller might not sound like President Trump, but his voting record shows he supported Trump’s agenda 100% of the time in his first 100 days."

Heller, who was first appointed to the Senate in 2011 and narrowly won reelection the following year, has problems of his own to deal with before he even gets a chance to take on Rosen.

When Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell unveiled a bill to replace Obamacare, Heller - with the backing of Governor Sandoval - came out against it.

That prompted groups close to Trump to take out ads vilifying him.

Senate Republicans urged the White House to back off the ads but several prominent Republicans - including Vegas billionaire Sheldon Adelson - are said to be furious with Heller.

Photo Rep. Heller's office