Kate Marshall

Kate Marshall (D) is running in a special election on September 13th for a vacant U.S. House seat in Nevada's 2nd Congressional District. The seat was vacated when former Congressman Dean Heller was appointed to the Senate to replace disgraced former Senator John Ensign. The Senate Ethics Committee found "substantial and credible evidence" that Senator Ensign violated Senate rules and federal law including sexual harassment and sex discrimination laws in the cover-up of a sexual affair he had with an employee. Marshall is currently serving her 2nd term as state Treasurer.

Far Right Tea Party candidate Sharon Angle was the first candidate to announce her candidacy for this seat on March 16th. Angle narrowly lost the district in 2006 and won it in her race challenging incumbent Senator Harry Reid in 2010. Angle dropped out of the current race on May 25th after a court ruling on the primary process ruled against her.

Background:

• Elected as Nevada State Treasurer 2006, re-elected in 2010.
• Currently serves on the Nevada State Board of Finance, the College Savings Board, and the Internal Audit Committee.
• Served as Senior Deputy Attorney General, where she created the State Antitrust Unit in 1977.
• Prosecutor in the Antitrust Division of the U.S. Department of Justice.
• Served in the Peace Corps in Kenya

Marshall's Positions on Key Issues:

Marshall supports women's rights and is pro-choice. She is particularly concerned about preserving Medicare, Medicaid, and Social Security, and opposes Congress attempting to balance the budget on the backs of seniors. Marshall is a strong supporter of Title IX and an advocate for public school funding and higher education.

Prospects: The Cook Political Report calls this Special Election a toss-up and Kate Marshall "the strongest potential (Democratic) candidate" for the race. The Democrats see this race as an important chance to increase their numbers in the House.

Opponent: Mark Amodei is the Republican nominee in this open seat special election. The National Republican Congressional Committee is heavily targeting this race with attacks on President Obama and a heavy influx of money. They have already spent over $400,000 for TV ads.

Amodei is a clear right wing conservative who stands for permanent Bush tax cuts, a balanced budget amendment to the U.S. Constitution, abolishing the estate tax, and repealing the Obama Health Care Reform package. He was elected to the Nevada State Assembly in 1996; the State Senate in 1998, 2002, and 2006. He served as Chair of the Senate Judiciary Committee and was President Pro Tem of the State Senate.

Other Endorsements: Emily’s List, Women’s Campaign Forum

Website: http://www.katefornevada.com/