Senate District 6

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:

Newly elected Nevada Senate Minority Leader Steven Horsford speaks to volunteers at a voter registration drive Saturday: Politicker PhotoLAS VEGAS -- When Nevada Senate Democrats wrapped up their four-hour meeting Friday night, they had selected a new leader and created the outlines of a plan to take over the majority. The only things they lacked were specifics.

"Our caucus spent a lot of time last night talking about how we were going to work as a team to take the majority in November," said state Sen. Steven Horsford (D-Las Vegas), the newly elected Democratic leader, Saturday.

"Our first goal is to win in November, so that's what we're focused on. Once we get beyond winning, we'll start looking into how we will govern in 2009."