Dem rep who went on expletive-laden anti-Trump rant wins primary

Rep. Susie Lee has won the Democratic primary in Nevada's 3rd Congressional District, setting up a likely competitive general election campaign in one of the West's most closely watched swing districts.

Lee, a Democrat who has held the seat since 2019, faced three challengers in Tuesday's primary: cardiologist James Lally, Marine Corps veteran and former congressional staffer Terrill Robinson, and Brandon West, a union steward with a background in the service industry.

The district stretches across the southern Las Vegas metropolitan area and reaches into rural communities, including Searchlight, the hometown of the late Sen. Harry Reid. It is home to one of the largest concentrations of tipped workers in the country, owing to its proximity to the Las Vegas Strip. The Cook Political Report rates the district as D+1, meaning it leans slightly Democratic but remains highly competitive.

Lee has drawn national attention for her bipartisan voting record. Georgetown University's Lugar Center has ranked her among the 10 most bipartisan members of Congress. That reputation, however, has made her a target on both sides of the aisle.

Republicans have criticized her for voting against the One Big Beautiful Bill Act, which they note included hundreds of millions of dollars in funding for projects in rural Nevada. Democrats and some progressive critics, meanwhile, have accused her of being too willing to work with Republicans.

Lally seized on that criticism during the primary, arguing that Lee's bipartisan image is misleading. He said she cannot "appease an authoritarian cult," an apparent reference to Republican voters and supporters of President Donald Trump.

Robinson's campaign framed his candidacy around a broader critique of Washington. "Terrill is running for Congress because he believes Washington has stopped working for ordinary Americans. He is deeply concerned about the growing influence of corporate money, political self-interest, and the erosion of transparency across government institutions," his campaign said in a statement on his website.

Robinson's resume includes time in the Marine Corps and a stint as a staffer for neighboring Rep. Dina Titus, also a Nevada Democrat.

West, who listed jobs at Carl's Jr., the Transportation Safety Administration and the Service Employees International Union on his campaign materials, described himself as someone shaped by hands-on experience. "I've always been someone who learns by being in it, not watching from the outside," West said. "My background has taken me through different environments and perspectives, and that's shaped how I understand people." He added, "I learned early how to adapt, how to listen, and how to recognize that everyone is coming from a different place. Las Vegas is where I've built my life and where I feel grounded."

West's policy priorities include ending all U.S. aid to Israel and what he described as decommissioning Immigration and Customs Enforcement, positions that place him well to the left of Lee.

Lee's primary victory comes against the backdrop of a controversy over her social media activity. In late March, after Trump said he planned to attend oral arguments in a Supreme Court case on birthright citizenship, Lee posted a series of expletive-laden messages on X. "So f---ing f---ed up. I'll pray they f--- him to his face," she wrote shortly before 11 p.m. Mountain Time on March 31. "Sorry, I say f--- a lot these days."

The post was later deleted. After critics accused her of being erratic, Lee issued a statement defending her remarks. "Clearly my language touched a nerve — my nerve was touched by the attacks on our Constitution and its separation of powers," she said. "I took an oath to protect and defend it."

Lee's fundraising has drawn attention as well. According to The Center Square, she has received support from AIPAC as well as corporate donors including Boeing.

With the primary settled, Lee now turns her focus to what is expected to be a closely fought general election. Republicans have already begun framing the race around kitchen-table issues, particularly Trump's "No Tax on Tips" proposal, which has resonated strongly in a district where tipped workers make up a significant share of the workforce. The GOP is also expected to emphasize Lee's vote against the One Big Beautiful Bill Act and its funding for rural Nevada.

Whoever emerges from the Republican primary will face an incumbent with a proven ability to win competitive races, a track record of bipartisan legislating, and a campaign apparatus already battle-tested in one of the country's most unpredictable political environments.