Representative in Congress District 1 in Congressional District 1, Nevada
2026 Primary Election
- Gabriel Cornejo — Entrepreneur and general contractor in Las Vegas, NV
Gabriel Cornejo, a Democratic candidate, is running for the U.S. House to represent Nevada's 1st Congressional District in the 2026 election. Born in Albuquerque, New Mexico, he earned a bachelor's degree from Northern Arizona University in 2005. His career experience includes work as an entrepreneur, a general contractor, and an award-winning project designer. He founded MyBeeble and the nonprofit Delovery, and co-founded the Latino Engagement Team for the American Red Cross, aiding disaster survivors. Cornejo is guided by principles of "Life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness" and "A more perfect union." He is on the Democratic primary ballot for June 9, 2026.
- Joy Hoover — Small business owner and safety advocate in Las Vegas, NV
Joy Hoover is a Democratic candidate for the U.S. House, representing Nevada's 1st Congressional District in 2026. An entrepreneur, small business owner, mom, and safety advocate based in Las Vegas, Hoover founded The Cupcake Girls, a nonprofit supporting the sex industry and working to empower consensual sex workers while fighting trafficking. She also created Esōes Cosmetics, a beauty brand featuring "smart lipsticks" enabled to dial 911 in a crisis. Hoover’s campaign is built on integrity and a desire for dignity and opportunity for all. She pledges to advocate for survivor-centered services and policies that prioritize community needs over corporate interests.
- Luis Paniagua — Senior Consultant in Las Vegas, NV
Luis Paniagua is a Democratic candidate for the U.S. House in Nevada’s 1st Congressional District in 2026. A financial consultant and community organizer, he graduated from the Las Vegas Academy of the Arts and Bowdoin College. He identifies as a Progressive Democrat and emphasizes participatory control of local tax revenue, advocating for the incorporation of unincorporated Las Vegas communities like the Eastside to keep wealth locally managed. His campaign also aims to diagnose systemic monetary problems and address the economy's increasing debt obligations. He is running in the Democratic primary against incumbent Rep. Dina Titus.
- Dina Titus — Incumbent Representative in Congress in NV
Dina Titus is the incumbent Democratic Representative for Nevada's 1st Congressional District, a position she has held since January 2013. She previously served as the representative for Nevada’s 3rd congressional district from 2009 to 2010. At 75 years old, she is seeking her eighth term in the 2026 election, where she faces primary challengers. A senior member of the House Foreign Affairs Committee and Chair of the Americans Abroad Caucus, Titus has reintroduced legislation to establish a bipartisan commission to address issues faced by U.S. citizens living overseas. She is also endorsed by gun safety advocates.
- Maria Encar Arnold — Candidate for U.S. House of Representatives in NV
Marie Encar Arnold is a Republican candidate running for election to the U.S. House to represent Nevada's 1st Congressional District. She is on the ballot for the Republican primary scheduled for June 9, 2026, where she will compete against Jim Blockey, Michael Boris, Carrie Buck, and Rick Saga. Arnold has also declared candidacy for the 2028 Presidential election. Her career experience includes working for the United States Postal Service in Santa Clarita. She previously sought election for U.S. Senate in California in 2022, withdrawing from the primary. Campaign finance data for her 2026 U.S. House bid indicates no reported contributions or expenditures. Limited biographical details and policy positions are available from public voter guides.
- Jim Blockey — Retired teacher in Las Vegas, NV
Jim Blockey, a Republican, is running for the U.S. House to represent Nevada's 1st Congressional District in 2026. A Las Vegas resident, he earned a graduate degree from the University of Nevada, Las Vegas in 1995. His career includes experience as a retired teacher, former pastor, and nonprofit founder. Blockey advocates for community service, supporting small businesses, and addressing crime and public safety. His platform also includes government neutrality in religion, ending child hunger, and an "America First" approach to spending, prioritizing tax cuts and national security. He champions education, parental rights, and a pro-life stance, also targeting rising Nevada car insurance costs. Blockey previously ran for this seat in the 2024 Republican primary, finishing third, and is a critic of establishment candidates.
- Michael Boris — Stand-up comedian in Las Vegas, NV
Michael Boris is a stand-up comedian and entertainer from Las Vegas, running as a Republican for U.S. House of Representatives in Nevada's 1st Congressional District. He previously challenged for the same seat in 2024, losing in the primary. As "the voice of the people," Boris advocates for constitutional conservative principles. His platform includes supporting veterans with resources, cutting red tape for small businesses, strengthening education with real-world skills, and making homeownership accessible for working families. He champions criminal justice reform, focusing on rehabilitation, mental health services, education, and job training in prisons. Boris also supports national cannabis legalization, arguing it's a constitutional right, reduces cartel revenue, provides veteran relief, and can fund education and policing. His campaign has raised over $72,000, including significant loans he made himself.
- Carrie Ann Buck — Incumbent Nevada State Senator in Henderson, NV
Carrie Ann Buck is a Republican Nevada State Senator for District 5, elected in 2020. With a Ph.D. and a background in education, she served as a principal in Henderson, improving school performance and earning an award. She is campaigning for U.S. House, Nevada's 1st Congressional District in 2026, challenging incumbent Dina Titus. Her policy stances include fully funding police, securing the border, no tips tax, and fiscal accountability. Buck aims to lower taxes, create jobs, and restore law-and-order, believing communities are tired of "failed politicians." She also presides over the Pinecrest Foundation.
- Rick "indicted" Saga — Candidate for Representative in Congress in NV
Rick "Indicted" Saga is a Republican candidate seeking to represent Nevada's 1st Congressional District in the 2026 U.S. House primary election. He is campaigning on a platform dedicated to fighting corruption and ensuring accountability within government. His key priorities include investigating potential corruption in the Campus for Hope Project, the Mandalay Bay Massacre Victims Fund, and the 215 overpass project. He also plans to investigate alleged assassination attempts on President Trump, political weaponization against opponents, misuse of federal grants, and election fraud. Saga advocates for limited government, opposing tax increases, and upholding constitutional principles, alongside empowering parents. He aims to serve Nevadans and create a better future for the state.
- Afzal "bobby" Khan — Entrepreneur in NV
Afzal "Bobby" Khan, born in Scotland to immigrant parents, grew up working in his family's restaurant. He briefly attended college before starting his career as a luxury car dealer in New Jersey. Khan was convicted of wire fraud, pleading guilty and serving federal prison time. After his release, he relocated to Nevada and launched a bid for the U.S. House of Representatives as a Republican. He openly discusses his past, framing his candidacy as a story of redemption and resistance to government overreach. His campaign focuses on issues such as veterans' affairs, deregulation, and Nevada-specific concerns.
- Steven "chap" St John — Retired Hospital Chaplain in Las Vegas, NV
Steven "Chap" St John is seeking to represent Nevada's 1st Congressional District in 2026, running on a platform of compassion, listening, and practical leadership. For nearly a decade, he served as a hospital chaplain, standing with over 12,000 families and witnessing firsthand how Washington's decisions impact everyday lives. Motivated by these experiences, he aims to protect healthcare, lower costs, and ensure the voices of families in Las Vegas and Clark County are heard. St John, who holds a master's degree and is now retired from advertising and marketing, believes government should listen, care, and advocate for families.
- Anthony Thomas Jr. — Candidate for Representative in Congress in NV
Anthony Thomas Jr. is a candidate running as "No Political Party" for the U.S. House to represent Nevada's 1st Congressional District in the 2026 general election, with a primary scheduled for June 9, 2026. He previously ran for the same seat in 2020, losing in the primary. His platform advocates for progressive policies including supporting Medicare for All, establishing rent control, and fighting for workers' rights by expanding unions, guaranteeing parental leave, and raising the minimum wage to $15 or more. He also champions prison rehabilitation over profit, tuition-free public college, and a Green New Deal to address climate change and water scarcity in Southern Nevada.
- Victor R. Willert — Teacher and assistant principal in NV
Victor Willert was born in New York, New York. He pursued his undergraduate education at LaGuardia Community College and the State University of New York at New Paltz, earning a degree in 1979. He furthered his studies at New York University and City College of New York, obtaining a graduate degree in 1984. Willert's career spans roles as a secondary education social studies teacher and an assistant principal, holding teaching and administrative certificates in New York State and Nevada. He has been affiliated with the Council of School Supervisors & Administrators and the American Federation of Teachers. Willert is currently running as a candidate with no political party affiliation for the U.S. House to represent Nevada's 1st Congressional District in the 2026 general election.