Kasama Announces Run for Congress

Assemblywoman Heidi Kasama, a second-term Republican from Las Vegas, has declared her intention to run for Nevada’s Congressional District 3. The district is currently represented by Democrat Rep. Susie Lee and covers parts of southwestern Las Vegas and a substantial portion of unincorporated Clark County. Known for its competitive nature, the district has leaned Democratic by about 5.5 percentage points based on voter registration data.

In her campaign announcement, Kasama emphasized her focus on education, economic development, and public safety. She cited concerns about rising crime rates, increasing living expenses, and unregulated healthcare costs, all of which she believes are deviating from the traditional American way of life. Kasama expressed a strong determination to alter the nation’s trajectory for the betterment of future generations and the people of Nevada.

Despite Democratic control since 2016, Congressional District 3 remains a closely watched battleground. Election analysts often categorize the race as a toss-up. In the most recent election, Lee secured a victory against Republican April Becker by approximately 4 percentage points.

Kasama’s motivation to seek the congressional seat stems from her desire to help fellow Nevadans achieve the American Dream. Her personal background as the daughter of Norwegian immigrants and the spouse of a Japanese immigrant reinforces her belief in the power of opportunities in the United States.

Professionally, Kasama holds the position of managing broker at Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices Nevada Properties. She also manages her own real estate brokerage, Kasama Property Management, which she founded in 2014. Prior to her involvement in real estate, Kasama worked as a certified public accountant.

Kasama’s political career began with her election to the Nevada Assembly in 2020, a position she was re-elected to in 2022. Her district includes parts of South Summerlin and Southwest Las Vegas.

Following Kasama’s announcement, fellow Republican candidate Drew Johnson issued a press release “welcoming” her to the race. However, Johnson labeled her as a “Republican In Name Only” (RINO) and indicated his intention to expose what he perceives as her liberal record during the primary campaign.

Another contender in the Republican primary for the congressional seat is former state Sen. Elizabeth Helgelien. Helgelien gained attention when she became the youngest person elected to the Senate in 2010 but resigned before completing a full term due to personal reasons. After an unsuccessful state Senate bid in 2018, she entered the national spotlight in 2021 when her daughter was charged with murdering her ex-husband.