Democratic socialists swept out of power in Nevada

Nevada Democrats have ousted a slate of democratic socialists who took over the state party two years ago, ending a troubled reign marked by divisions and infighting.

Judith Whitmer was booted as chair in a vote Saturday, with a new slate headed by state Assemblywoman Daniele Monroe-Moreno assuming control of the party.

Monroe-Moreno, who is the first Black woman elected to lead Nevada Democrats, was backed by a slew of elected officials, as well as the so-called Reid Machine, the powerful organization first brought together by the late U.S. Sen. Harry Reid. 

Whitmer repeatedly clashed with key figures in the party in a tumultuous term. Establishment Democrats charged that she had at times undermined members of her own party, including Sen. Catherine Cortez Masto, who was in a close re-election race last cycle.

Whitmer also lost the support of some of her progressive allies, including some in the cam if Sen. Bernie Sanders, I-Vt., and local democratic socialists.

Whitmer recently said that she was a victim of a “smear campaign” and that she had worked to turn out voters in down-ballot races and rural counties.

Nevada Democrats largely held onto state posts last year in the face of what should have been good conditions for Republicans. Cortez-Masto’s win by fewer than 8,000 votes was the deciding seat in the Senate, allowing Democrats to retain power.

The exception was the governorship — Steve Sisolak was the only sitting governor to lose his seat last year.