In 2017, Cancela was chosen to succeed Ruben Kihuen, who was elected to the United States House of Representatives, in the Nevada Senate.

[6] Cancela was selected as one of seventeen speakers to jointly deliver the keynote address at the 2020 Democratic National Convention.

[8] On January 12, 2021, Cancela announced her resignation in order to join the incoming administration of Joe Biden and Kamala Harris in the United States Department of Health and Human Services as the deputy director of intergovernmental affairs.

[9][10] Since her position does not require a confirmation vote from the United States Senate, she was sworn in on January 20, 2021, and immediately assumed her post.

On August 9, 2021, it was announced that Cancela would leave her position in the Department of Health and Human Services to serve as chief of staff for Governor Steve Sisolak.