President Trump pushed Sen. Dean Heller’s challenger to run for the House seat on Friday, instead of competing in the Senate race.
“It would be great for the Republican Party of Nevada and its unity if good guy Danny Tarkanian would run for Congress and Dean Heller, who is doing a really good job, could run for Senate unopposed!” Mr. Trumptweeted.
Mr. Tarkanian said in a statement that he intends to drop out of the Senate race and will instead file to run in the state’s 3rd Congressional District. He was originally backed by former White House chief strategist Steve Bannon, who left the White House last year to become involved in the midterm races.
“I am confident I would have won the US Senate race and done a great job representing the people of Nevada in the Senate, but the President is adamant that a unified Republican ticket in Nevada is the best direction for the America First movement,” Mr. Tarkanian said in a statement.
He added that Trump supporters urged him to challenge Mr. Heller after the incumbent expressed his disapproval of some of the president’s decisions. Now with the backing of the White House, he’ll make his run on the House side.
Mr. Heller is seen as a more moderate member in the party who hesitated in supporting Mr. Trump in the 2016 election, but has since said he voted for the president.
Mr. Tarkanian will face incumbent Rep. Jacky Rosen, a Democrat, if he wins the Republican nomination for the House seat.
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