About Dina Titus
A Democratic trending district
In 2008, Democrats saw an outstanding opportunity to seize a Republican-held House seat in Nevada’s third congressional district. Then-state Sen. Dina Titus, one of the state’s most respected political leaders and Nevada's Senate Democratic minority leader for 15 years, took on GOP Cong. Jon Porter, winning a tough challenger race. Although Titus' victory proves this swing state is ready for change, Republicans are eager to win back this seat -- and that means they're making Titus one of their top targets for 2010.
Proven Democratic leader
Titus is known for her independent leadership and her strong moral compass -- strengthening schools, preserving the environment, and protecting the welfare of Nevada's citizens. Titus is also an outspoken defender of reproductive rights, sponsoring legislation requiring Nevada to cover contraception in employees’ health care plans and requiring insurance companies to cover the HPV vaccine. In Congress, she has been named to key committees, including Homeland Security, and Education and Labor, where her background as a lifelong educator has made her a valuable new addition.
A distinctive voice for Nevadans
Titus is an institution in Nevada politics, having taught many of the policymakers she’s served with. Like many Nevadans, she was not born in the state; a Georgia native, she’s never lost her southern accent. As Las Vegas Review-Journal reporter Erin Neff once wrote, Titus “doesn’t just have the most distinctive accent in Nevada politics; hers is arguably its most unique voice.” But Republicans are set on replacing her voice in Congress with one of their own -- and the national party is already counting one potential opponent, Joe Heck, among their top recruits. Titus is going to have to fight off Republican attacks to get her message out to voters and hold on to her seat.
