After a fierce battle of attack ads on television by both candidates, Ensign pulled into a dead heat with Reid.

In contrast, Reid was believed to hold an advantage with longtime Nevada residents, particularly those in slower-growing regions of the state.

Jon Ralston, a political analyst in Las Vegas, claimed that Reid was also hurt by declining voter enthusiasm in the wake of the Monica Lewinsky scandal.

"[2] During the campaign, Reid cited his efforts to block the storage of nuclear waste at the Yucca Mountain repository, while also using the issue to attack Ensign.

Ensign responded to the attacks by pointing out his own position against the depository and indicated he would work with Richard Bryan, the state's other senator, to stop it.