Congressional District 2

RENO -- Filing done, the top races in the state have come into focus and politics-watchers have a lot to look forward to this season.

Reeling from three consecutive special election losses, congressional Republicans will have their hands full holding on to the 3rd congressional district and, in a watershed year, the 2nd. Control of the state Senate rests on the thinnest of one-seat majorities, and the Democrats' coveted "veto-proof" majority is only one pick-up away. Here's a brief rundown of the races to watch and how they could all play out:

RENO-Congressional candidate Jill Derby speaks to the Nevada Democratic Convention. Derby notes that in a House of Representatives power ranking a year ago, her opponent was placed 435 out of 436

Carson City- Jill Derby resigned as Nevada Democratic chairwoman today and shortly afterward announced that she would again seek the 2nd Congressional District seat currently held by Republican Dean Heller.

“My allegiance lies with those Nevadans,” said Derby, “Democrat, Republican, and Independent ­ who know that we can do better, and who are disappointed in the politicians who have lost sight of our values. It’s time to move past the same Washington politics that leaves Nevada families behind.”

Carson City- Nevada Democrats are preparing to make two major announcements about candidates for key races within the coming days. 

In Reno, Nevada Democratic chairwoman Jill Derby will be announcing her future political plans tomorrow at Cathexes, Inc., a Northern Nevada architectural firm that specializes in sustainable design or “green architecture.”  Meanwhile, in Clark County, an announcement is expected within days that Allison Copening, a public and media relations spokeswoman for the Springs Preserve, will challenge Republican state Sen. Bob Beers for his seat in the county’s 6th district.