Ethics Allegations Cloud Primary Race in Battleground Nevada Congressional District

Two-term incumbent Rep. Susie Lee (D-Nev.) wants to talk about protecting abortion rights while her Republican challenger April Becker wants to keep the focus on inflation and gas prices.

But with campaigns gearing up for the final 100-day run to November’s elections, both Nevada Congressional District 3 (CD 3) candidates are fending off ethical allegations regarding financial disclosures and profit motives.

A Las Vegas real estate attorney, Becker lost a 2020 state Senate election by 1 percentage point but easily cruised past construction group owner John Kovac and attorney, engineer, and U.S. Army Iraq War veteran Noah Malgieri in May’s CD 3 primary.

Becker is taking on Lee, who was not tested in her primary. Lee won her district twice since 2018, but it has been altered by post-2020 Census redistricting and shifting demographics to be more favorable for Republicans.

U.S. Rep. Susie Lee (R-Nevada) joins marchers during a May demonstration for gun control laws near The Strip in Las Vegas. (Courtesy of Susie Lee for Congress)

In fact, CD 3 is one of three southern Nevada congressional districts now occupied by Democrats that Republicans believe they have a shot at winning in November.

The state’s other congressional district, CD 2, spans much of northern Nevada and is a Republican stronghold.

Regarded as Nevada’s “most swingy” district with Republicans winning six of the past 10 elections but none since 2014, CD 3 was rated “likely” or “leaning” Democratic in 2020.

It is now rated as a toss-up by the Cook Political Report and by Larry Sabato’s Crystal Ball, among others.

On July 16, district resident Laurie Lytel filed complaints with the U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ) and the Federal Election Commission (FEC) alleging Becker failed to disclose “dozens of real estate interests” and details about a 2021 loan to her

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