. Robertson and restaurateur Flemming Larsen are leading candidates in the June 11 competition to secure the Congressional District 1 seat in the Las Vegas area. The race includes five party rivals vying for the GOP nomination to challenge six-term incumbent Rep. Dina Titus (D-Nevada) in November 2024.
The frontrunners for the seat are retired Army Colonel Mark Robertson and restaurateur Flemming Larsen. Robertson, a certified financial planner and Army veteran, previously ran against Titus in the 2022 midterm race. To secure a spot on the November ballot, Robertson must come out on top in the primary against contenders such as Larsen, appliance repair company owner Michael Boris, Save Education-Save America founder Jim Blockey, and former adult film actor Evan Stone.
Titus currently holds a significant campaign fund of nearly $1.1 million and faces no primary challengers. In addition to the GOP candidates, four independents and Libertarian David Havlicek have also qualified for the race.
The three Las Vegas-area districts, including CD 1, have historically been Democratic strongholds with support from hospitality industry unions. Despite being competitive races, CD 1 is not considered a tossup by election forecasters, with ratings indicating it is “Likely Democratic.”
Robertson and Larsen, the leading candidates, prioritize issues such as debt spending, water management, public lands, and education. They both advocate for fiscal responsibility and initiatives to address critical concerns facing the district.
In the midst of the primary campaign, candidates like Michael Boris emphasize issues like border security, federal spending, and national security. Each candidate brings a unique perspective and platform to the race, aiming to address the needs of the district and its residents.
As the primary approaches, the focus remains on key issues impacting the district, including water infrastructure, conservation efforts, and economic development. Candidates are working to distinguish themselves and connect with voters on the critical challenges facing the Las Vegas-area Congressional District 1. Larsen, the son of Danish immigrants and a “California refugee” who moved to Nevada more than a decade ago, is the owner of the Larsen’s Restaurant chain, which consists of steakhouses that reflect his family heritage as butchers. His unique approach to the water issue sets him apart from others.
“Nobody’s ever talking about trying to fix the water issue. All the talk is about ‘saving,’ ‘saving,’ ‘saving,’” he told The Epoch Times.
Larsen supports the idea of building a pipeline-aqueduct system to transport water from the Columbia River in Idaho and eastern Washington down to the deserts, including Nevada. This concept is not new.
“Seven states and Mexico pull 16.5 million acre-feet [of water] from the Colorado River,” Larsen explained. “The Columbia River dumps 192 million acre-feet a year of freshwater into the ocean.”
He added, “The left keeps saying the oceans are rising, so I want to help them out and pull some of that water from the Columbia River so that way the ocean doesn’t keep rising.”
Regarding the upcoming elections, Larsen believes that the country needs more “bold businessmen, like myself” and President Trump to come up with solutions. He expressed confidence in his ability to defeat Ms. Titus and highlighted the importance of his ideas in the political arena.
Money will not be an issue for Larsen, as his campaign has raised $1.8 million with $1.37 million in cash, much of which is self-funded. He pointed out that Republicans are gaining voters in CD 1, narrowing Democrats’ voter advantage from 45,000 to about 37,000. Larsen believes this trend could continue to decrease significantly by November.
Larsen emphasized his determination and resources as key factors in his campaign. He mentioned his willingness to go where Republicans traditionally do not go and his efforts in reaching out to voters by knocking on thousands of doors.
In contrast, Mr. Robertson highlighted the importance of accountability and a sense of order in the House. Despite having less funding compared to Larsen, Robertson remains undeterred, recalling his victory in the 2022 primary despite being heavily outspent.
Overall, Larsen and Robertson, along with other GOP CD 1 hopefuls, are gearing up for the upcoming elections with a focus on education, water issues, accountability, and resources. Their different approaches and perspectives aim to bring about positive change and representation for the people of Nevada. Please rephrase.
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