Nevada Dems’ Departure Opens Leadership Void and Swing Seat Battles
In a significant shift for Nevada’s political landscape, Assembly Speaker Steve Yeager and Majority Leader Sandra Jauregui, the top two leaders of the Nevada Assembly Democratic Caucus, will not seek re-election in 2026. The Las Vegas Democrats, both elected in 2016, announced their decisions in a joint statement on X, signaling a major shakeup as the state heads into an election year with all statewide offices and Assembly seats on the ballot.
Yeager, who became speaker in 2023, and Jauregui, majority leader since the same year, will complete their terms through 2026 but are open to other elected offices, they told The Nevada Independent. Yeager, ruling out a gubernatorial bid, is considering a run for state treasurer, a seat opening as Treasurer Zach Conine campaigns for attorney general. Jauregui has not detailed her plans but hinted at future public service.
Their exits, alongside Assemblywoman Daniele Monroe-Moreno’s decision to run for North Las Vegas mayor instead of re-election, create a leadership void in the Assembly Democratic Caucus. Monroe-Moreno currently serves as speaker pro tempore and chairs the budget committee. This echoes 2022, when Speaker Jason Frierson and Majority Leader Teresa Benitez-Thompson stepped down, paving the way for Yeager and Jauregui.
Adding intrigue, Yeager’s Assembly District 9 and Jauregui’s District 41 are competitive swing districts in Clark County. In 2024, Yeager edged out Republican Erica Neely by a 775-vote margin, while Jauregui narrowly defeated Rafael Arroyo-Montalvo by just 257 votes. Past elections show similar tightness. Redistricting has kept these districts slightly favoring Democrats.
These seats becoming open in 2026 heightens the stakes. Without incumbents, both parties will likely target these battlegrounds, where Republicans could challenge the Democratic majority. As Nevada nears a critical election year, the departure of these leaders sets the stage for new dynamics in the Assembly.
