Jill Derby

U.S. Rep. Dean Heller (R-Carson City)The Las Vegas Sun ran a story Friday analyzing the national reaction to U.S. Rep. Dean Heller's (R-Carson City) comments that the Republican Party needed to "clean house."

After an initally strong reaction against Heller's remarks, the Sun noted that many conservatives came out in support of the freshman Congressman.

Tuesday marked the reporting deadline for second quarter campaign contributions, and the figures from Nevada's U.S. House races revealed some interesting developments.

Tuesday marked the reporting deadline for second quarter campaign contributions, and the figures from Nevada's U.S. House races revealed some interesting developments.

Democratic challengers Dina Titus in the 3rd District and Jill Derby in the 2nd District both outraised their Republican opponents, incumbent U.S. Reps. Jon Porter and Dean Heller. Porter and Heller both maintained significant cash-on-hand advantages, however.

Fundraising totals for all major candidates are below:

U.S. Rep. Shelley Berkley (D-Las Vegas):

Second quarter — $228,626.38

Cash on hand — $1,144,917.54

U.S. Rep. Dean Heller (R-Carson City)

Second quarter — $224,232.52

Cash on hand — $984,007.25

Jill Derby (D-Gardnerville):

Second quarter — $293,393.39

Cash on hand — $353,058.80

U.S. Rep. Jon Porter (R-Henderson):

Second quarter — $418,802.39

Cash on hand — $1,277,180.88

State Sen. Dina Titus (D-Henderson):

Second quarter — $575,392.75

Cash on hand — $553,462.22

Congressional candidate Jill Derby: Campaign photoThe campaign of Democratic congressional candidate Jill Derby said that it collected $293,393.39 in camapign donations for the second quarter, a figure larger than that of Republican incumbent Dean Heller.

The Derby campaign reported a cash on hand warchest of $353,058.80 after the end of the second quarter reporting period on June 30. In a statement released on the campaign's website, Derby's campaign manager David Mason called the strong quarter a sign of progress for the 2nd Congressional District challenger.

Fellow spelunker Anjeanette Damon has the full story.

For the lazy:

Jill Derby earned the headline "Derby beats Heller in second quarter fundraising," but for her that is the end of the fun in fundraising news.

U.S. Rep Dean Heller (R-Carson City) still raised $228,000 to her $280,000. Heller still has almost three times as much cash on hand at $940,000 vs. Derby's $350,000. Also, this year Heller has no well-funded right-wing activist as a primary opponent. His fundraising is still trending up, he has out-raised any incumbent in the history of the district with $1.2 million raised this year and he has that dazzling smile, to boot.

Heller keeps this one.

Before Zeke posts more angry messages that I'm a right-wing mouthpiece, I still think U.S. Rep. Jon Porter (R-Henderson) is screwed.

Congressional candidate Jill Derby: Campaign photoAfter the non-partisan Cook Political Report labelled Nevada's 2nd Congressional District "Likely Republican" — as opposed to "Solid Republican" — Democratic congressional candidate Jill Derby was quick to paint the shift as a positive sign for her campaign against incumbent Republican U.S. Rep. Dean Heller.

"This change is a sign of growing momentum in Jill Derby's campaign for change," Derby Campaign Manager David Mason said in a statement.

"It's beginning to become clear across the nation that Dean Heller's extremist voting record has disappointed many Nevadans who expected a more moderate, independent voice in Congress."

Derby lost the 2nd district to Heller by five percent in 2006 in a race that was characterized the stark difference between the two candidates' positions on the war in Iraq.

The chair of the Nevada Democratic Party through the state's caucuses this spring, Derby considers herself a moderate Democrat.

2nd Congressional District candidate Jill Derby.LAS VEGAS - Democratic 2nd Congressional District candidate Jill Derby issued a statement today praising the U.S. Supreme Court's decision to strike down a Washington D.C. ban on handguns.

"Today's Supreme Court decision sets an important precedent in defense of the Second Amendment," said Derby. "Sensible gun laws must include respect for our Constitution and for gun ownership as a part of American culture. This ruling affirms that law-abiding citizens have a right to gun ownership for self-defense in the home and for hunting. Thanks to today's decision, that right will remain strong through the 21st century."

Derby, who is running against U.S. Rep. Dean Heller (R-Reno) in a rematch of 2006, has made a point of establishing her "moderate-to-conservative" credentials, having received the endorsement of the Democrats' Blue Dog Coalition last month.

The Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee today officially added state Sen. Dina Titus (D-Las Vegas) to its "Red to Blue" program and tapped former Nevada Democratic Party Chairwoman Jill Derby for its list of "emerging races."

The "Red to Blue" program is designed to target vulnerable Republican incumbents by raising money for qualified Democratic challengers. In 2006, the program raised nearly $22.6 million, with an average of $404,000 given to each participating candidate.

LAS VEGAS - Monday, The Las Vegas Review-Journal finished publishing the results of a Nevada poll, conducted Jun. 9-11 by Mason-Dixon.  Here's a brief rundown of the poll's finding.

Presidential campaign

John McCain (R) - 44%

Barack Obama (D) - 42%

Undecided - 14%