In anticipation of '12 reapportionment, national Democrats will invest in local Dems

National Democrats are prepared to put some heavy money behind the campaigns of several Democratic legislative candidates in Nevada as an investment in 2012 congressional redistricting – when Nevada is expected to gain a fourth seat in the U.S. House of Representatives. According to sources, the staff of Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid has told DNC and DCCC officials that non-federal dollars ought to be earmarked for three races that will help Democrats gradually turn the state from light red to blue: State Senate candidates Allison Copening, who is challenging Bob Beers, and Shirley Breeden, who is opposing Joe Heck; and for Democrat Dondero Loop, who is seeking Republican Valerie Weber’s open District 5 Assembly seat.

Don't be surprised to see some Washington, D.C.-based interest groups recognize the long-term importance of these key '08 Nevada legislative races as well.