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Former Nevada Democratic Party Chairwoman Jill Derby.LAS VEGAS -- Former university regent Jill Derby picked up the support of the Democratic Blue Dog Coalition today in her second attempt at the 2nd congressional district seat now held by Republican U.S. Rep. Dean Heller. Derby announced the endorsement in a conference call this morning with Rep. Mike Ross (D-Ark.), co-chairman of the coalition.

"We're a group of fiscally conservative Democrats that are tired of the partisan bickering that goes on up in Washington and we try to bridge the partisan divide in congress," said Ross. "We are endorsing Jill Derby because we believe she will join us in putting an end to the partisan bickering in Washington and pushing through commonsense fiscal policies."

"I am honored to receive the endorsement of the Blue Dog Coalition," said Derby. "The Blue Dogs work for straight talk and fiscally conservative values and we need more of both in Congress. I look forward to working with them to bring the real change we need to Washington."

Our home town favorite Sheldon Adelson is gaining unwanted infamy in a series of DCCC ads.

Politico is reporting that the ad campaign establishes Adelson as the George Soros of the right, and ties Bible-belt GOP candidates to a gambling empire with ads that feature the candidate with a superimposed photo placed "onto images of a slot machine and a singer wearing gold lamé."

Dina Titus files for the 3rd congressional district. Behind Titus from left are state Sen. Bob Coffin, Tom Wright, and state Sen. Valerie Wiener: Politicker PhotoLAS VEGAS -- Former Nevada Senate Minority Leader Dina Titus filed to challenge Republican U.S. Rep. Jon Porter on Tuesday morning in the 3rd congressional district. Speaking to reporters afterward, Titus did not pull her punches on Porter and seemed eager to take him on in the general election.

"This race is not going to be personal," said Titus. "It's going to be about the record, and I believe that my record in Carson City shows that I'm a fighter for the people in this district. I've been representing them for twenty years and that record contrasts, I believe, with my opponent because he seems to have lost his way in Washington and forgotten about the people in District 3."

Rep. Jon Porter files for reelection Monday.: Politicker Photo.LAS VEGAS -- Flanked by family and staff, Republican Rep. Jon Porter filed for reelection to a fourth term this morning and answered reporters' questions about his coming campaign.

Porter is facing what may be his toughest election to date as former Nevada Senate Minority Leader Dina Titus announced a challenge against him earlier in the month. Titus won Porter's district during her 2006 gubernatorial campaign at a time when the district was much more Republican. Today, Democrats outnumber Republicans in the district by almost 23,000 voters.

"Every race is difficult; every race is a challenge," said Porter. "In campaigns, six months is a long time. A lot can happen."

LAS VEGAS-Although she continues to support N.Y. Sen. Hillary Clinton for her party's nomination for president, Rep. Shelley Berkley (D-Nev.) disagrees with one of Clinton's most publicized policy proposals of recent weeks, the "gas tax holiday."

"I am opposed to the gas tax holiday, having sat on the Transportation Committee and knowing of the infrastructure needs of this country and the condition of our roads," said Berkley.

"In Nevada, we are at least $3.5 billion, possibly $5 billion short of satisfying our current and future infrastructure needs.  To have a gas holiday that will take money out of the highway fund, which designates money for specific highway projects will be very counterproductive."

"As supportive as I am of Sen. Clinton and as much of an admirer as I am of her, I disagreed with that position."

Recognizing that Nevada has become the epicenter of the housing and mortgage crisis, both Rep. Jon Porter and Rep. Dean Heller crossed party lines to vote for the main provisions of the Democratic housing rescue package.

Of course Rep. Shelley Berkley was there on all provisions of the package.

See the full story at the Las Vegas Sun.

Rep. Shelley Berkley (D-Nev.) files for reelection at the Clark County Government Center Friday.LAS VEGAS-Accompanied by staffers, Democratic U.S. Rep. Shelley Berkley filed for reelection today, setting herself up for a campaign against one of five Republican challengers.

"This is the most exciting time of the year for me," said Berkley, 57, "and I'm going to campaign as if I have the most serious and challenging race of my life and let the voters decide in November whether they want to rehire me."

Nevada Senate Minority Leader Dina TitusState Senate Minority Leader Dina Titus is a winner this week, but why are her fellow Senate Democrats losers, along with Ron Paul supporters?

Find out in our weekly Winners and Losers for May 9, 2008.

LAS VEGAS-For the fourth straight month, Nevada Democrats have built on their voter registration edge over Republicans and now hold an advantage of more than 50,000 voters.

According to newly released numbers by the secretary of state's office, there are now 448,853 active Democratic voters in the Silver State. That's 43 percent of the electorate.  There are 398,039 active Republican voters, about 38 percent of the electorate.

LAS VEGAS-Although there are still two weeks remaining to file, today's filings give a good early idea of what races will be competitive this year. Here's a brief rundown of candidate filings today. Note: We have omitted incumbent candidates that are yet unchallenged.