Lombardo is endorsing Marty O’Donnell in the Republican primary in Nevada’s 3rd District

Governor Joe Lombardo (R) has once again put his thumb on the scale in Congressional District 3, endorsing video game music composer Marty O’Donnell in the Republican primary to take on Rep. Susie Lee (D-NV).

O’Donnell is a political newcomer who has never run for office before. He launched his first ad of the cycle on Wednesday, focusing on border security and labeling immigration as harmful to “American workers.”

Marty O’Donnell, candidate for the U.S. House of Representatives. (Courtesy of Marty for Congress)

Congressional District 3 is routinely the closest House race in Nevada and a target for both state and national Republicans. O’Donnell has the advantage of being a self-funder and working with advisers who managed the governor’s successful 2022 campaign.

This isn’t Lombardo’s first endorsement in this race or in the federal election — a sign of his increasing efforts to build his own political machine, separate from the state party, to rival the Democrats’ historically well-organized machine. He previously endorsed Assemblywoman Heidi Kasama (R-Las Vegas) for the House seat, but she ultimately dropped out of the race after consulting with the governor and is running again for her competitive Assembly seat.

Her victory there could help protect Lombardo’s veto, with a Democratic state House supermajority a possibility in 2024.

O’Donnell faces a crowded primary of other self-funded candidates, including former state Treasurer Dan Schwartz. Schwartz has already loaned his campaign $800,000 to O’Donnell’s $500,000, leaving the former treasurer with more money on hand at the end of the first quarter.

Other candidates include tax analyst Drew Johnson and former Senator Elizabeth Helgelien.

Despite Republicans’ attention and resources, Lee has won three straight elections, including a 4-percentage-point victory in 2022, her closest race yet. Her fundraising dwarfs her potential competitors; she has a war chest of more than $2.1 million.