Afghanistan war veteran and former U.S. Army Captain Sam Brown has officially announced his candidacy for the U.S. Senate, aiming to challenge incumbent Democrat Jacky Rosen in Nevada. Brown's campaign launch event in Reno emphasized his commitment to addressing Nevadans' concerns about economic stability and the future of the American dream.
Brown, a Purple Heart recipient who suffered severe burns from an IED explosion in Afghanistan, previously ran for Senate in 2022, losing the Republican primary to Adam Laxalt. This time, he has garnered the support of the National Republican Senatorial Committee (NRSC) and is considered a strong contender for the nomination.
Brown's platform centers on tackling inflation, stabilizing the economy, and addressing rising crime rates. He criticizes Rosen's economic policies and stance on education, accusing her of being "out of touch" with Nevadans. He highlights his military experience as evidence of his leadership skills and ability to prioritize the needs of the people.
Brown joins a Republican field that includes Jim Marchant, Ronda Kennedy, and Stephanie Phillips. The Nevada State Democratic Party has already characterized the Republican primary as "messy" and criticized Brown's alignment with Mitch McConnell. The Nevada Senate race is expected to be highly competitive, with Republicans aiming to capitalize on President Biden's low approval ratings and the close margin of victory for Senator Cortez Masto in 2022. Rosen, however, enters the race with a significant fundraising advantage, having amassed $7.5 million in campaign funds.
