The Democratic nominee, Jill Derby, Regent for the University and Community College System of Nevada, had no primary opposition.

The Club for Growth poured in over $1 million backing Angle, and ran ads attacking both Heller and Gibbons as being "liberal" and in favor of tax increases.

Rather than calling for a recount — the typical route for candidates who challenge close election outcomes — Angle demanded to have the entire primary invalidated and held again.

The bruising GOP primary, as compared to the Democratic situation, was reflected in the cash reserves reported by each candidate in their pre-primary filings with the Federal Election Commission.

[6] The Las Vegas Sun, quoting University of Nevada-Reno political scientist Eric Herzik, noted that the intra-fighting has given the Democratic Party a chance in this otherwise Republican leaning district.

[7] There are three non-major party candidates in the race: Tessa Hafen is a former press secretary for US Senate Minority Leader Harry Reid.

He is the chairman of the Federal Workforce and Agency Organization Subcommittee, which belongs to the full House Government Reform Committee.