Democrat Sandra Jauregui wins Nevada lieutenant governor race

Overview

Updated 1 hour ago

Sandra Jauregui won Nevada’s lieutenant governor race on Tuesday, defeating Republican incumbent Stavros Anthony. The office has few day-to-day powers, but it can break ties in the state Senate and puts its holder first in line to become governor.

The result came as Democrats made gains across the 2026 midterms. NBC News reported the Nevada lieutenant governor race shifted 16.38 points toward Democrats compared with the 2024 presidential election, with 87% of expected votes counted.

Why it matters

Democrats gain an office that can break Nevada Senate ties and assume the governorship if the governor leaves.

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Key Indicators

Statewide office flipped

Democrats take the lieutenant governor's office from Republican incumbent Stavros Anthony.

87%

Expected vote counted

NBC News reported 87% of expected votes in when the race was projected.

16.38 points

Democratic shift vs. 2024

NBC News measured a 16.38-point swing toward Democrats compared with the 2024 presidential race.

Voices

Curated perspectives — historical figures and your fellow readers.

People Involved

Sandra Jauregui

Nevada lieutenant governor-elect; state assemblywoman

Won election on 2026-11-03

Stavros Anthony

Nevada lieutenant governor (Republican incumbent)

Lost reelection on 2026-11-03

Organizations Involved

Office of the Lieutenant Governor of Nevada

State executive office

Changing hands after 2026 election

The lieutenant governor presides over the Nevada Senate, can break tie votes, and is first in line to the governorship.

Timeline

1 event Latest: Yesterday

November 2026
Jauregui defeats Anthony in lieutenant governor race
Latest Election

Democrat Sandra Jauregui won Nevada's lieutenant governor race, according to KLAS and the Associated Press.
Yesterday

Scenarios

Jauregui is sworn in as lieutenant governor

Likely Resolves by Jan 31, 2027

Discussed by: KLAS and Nevada election officials

Nevada's official canvass and certification process must finish before Jauregui takes office. If no recount or court order changes the result, she will be inaugurated with other statewide officials in January 2027.

Official canvass certifies Jauregui's win

Likely Resolves by End of 2026

Discussed by: NBC News and KLAS

County results are checked and sent to the Nevada Secretary of State for the official canvass. A certification would close the book on the race unless a legal challenge follows.

Jauregui casts a tie-breaking vote in the Nevada Senate

Possible Resolves by Q2 2027

Discussed by: Nevada Senate rules

The lieutenant governor presides over the Nevada Senate and can break ties. If the chamber splits on a bill, Jauregui would have a deciding vote.

Historical Context

2 moments from history that rhyme with this story — and how they unfolded.

October 2017

Route 91 Harvest festival shooting (2017)

A gunman opened fire on a country music festival on the Las Vegas Strip, killing 60 people and injuring hundreds. Sandra Jauregui, then a state assemblywoman, was in the crowd and survived.

Then

Nevada lawmakers later passed a law allowing courts to temporarily remove firearms from people deemed a danger.

Now

Jauregui became a prominent voice for gun-safety legislation in the Assembly.

Why this matters now

Her survival and advocacy shaped her public profile before the 2026 lieutenant governor race.

November 2022

Nevada lieutenant governor's office flips (2022)

Republican Stavros Anthony won the open lieutenant governor seat in 2022, defeating the Democratic incumbent appointed after the previous lieutenant governor resigned.

Then

Anthony took office in January 2023.

Now

The office has changed hands in recent elections, showing it is competitive even with limited formal duties.

Why this matters now

The 2026 race tested whether Anthony could hold the office after his 2022 win.