Former President Donald Trump has endorsed retired Army captain Sam Brown for the Nevada GOP primary for Senate, praising him as a fearless American patriot and Purple Heart recipient with the courage to take on enemies both foreign and domestic. Brown, who was severely injured by a roadside bomb in Afghanistan, has Trump’s complete and total endorsement, with the general election race against incumbent Democratic Sen. Jacky Rosen expected to be highly competitive. Brown is running against Dr. Jeffrey Gunter, Trump’s former ambassador to Iceland, and former state Assemblyman Jim Marchant, who has promoted Trump’s false election fraud claims.
It was initially uncertain if Trump would endorse a candidate in the race, as Brown had drawn criticism from staunch Trump supporters who preferred Gunter. While Brown campaigned for Trump in 2020, he later distanced himself from the former president, raising questions about his comfort sharing the GOP ticket with Trump in Nevada. However, Brown eventually endorsed Trump before the Iowa caucuses. Florida Rep. Matt Gaetz held a rally for Gunter in Nevada, while far-right activists such as Laura Loomer and Roger Stone attacked Brown on social media for his ties to mainstream Republicans. Despite this, Brown has been the strongest fundraiser among the GOP primary candidates.
In response to Trump’s endorsement, Sen. Jacky Rosen criticized Brown’s agenda, which includes banning abortion, reducing healthcare, and cutting Social Security, as wrong for Nevada. Brown first gained attention in the Nevada political scene during the 2022 election cycle, finishing second in the GOP primary under the slogan “duty first.” The primary winner, former state Attorney General Adam Laxalt, narrowly lost to Democratic Sen. Catherine Cortez Masto in the general election. Brown, who previously lost a state legislative race in Texas, became a more significant figure in Nevada politics after his Senate campaign picked up momentum in the primary’s final months.
Despite initial skepticism and criticism from Trump supporters, Brown has proven to be a strong contender in the Nevada GOP primary for Senate. He has received significant financial support and Trump’s endorsement, positioning him as a serious challenger in the upcoming general election against Democratic incumbent Sen. Jacky Rosen. Brown’s military background, including being a Purple Heart recipient, has earned him praise as a fearless patriot capable of standing up to both foreign and domestic threats. Moving forward, the Nevada Senate race is expected to be closely watched and highly competitive, with Brown’s candidacy adding a new dynamic to the political landscape.
