Republican George Harris and incumbent Democrat Marilyn Dondero Loop are locked in a contentious race for Nevada Senate District 8, squaring off in the November 3, 2026 general election to represent the west Las Vegas Valley, including parts of Summerlin and all of Summerlin South.
Harris Demands Audits Across State Agencies
The campaign has quickly pivoted to fiscal management and state spending priorities. Harris, a U.S. Army veteran and retired businessman who advanced from the Republican primary on June 9, 2026, according to Ballotpedia, argues that state agencies need a thorough accounting.
“You can’t fix a problem until you know where the money’s going,” Harris said, noting that it should be a priority to audit every department in the state and in Nevada’s 17 counties to see where money is currently being spent, whether regarding funding for education or police.
Energy policy and fuel costs have emerged as another flashpoint. Harris attributes high gas prices in Nevada to California’s aggressive push toward electric vehicles, arguing that policies under California Gavin Newsom have pressured regional refineries into closing. To combat pump prices, Harris advocates for infrastructure expansion rather than relying solely on West Coast supply chains. He points to proposals he first championed three years ago.
“I’m the early guy from three years ago that advocated that we bring a straw over from Salt Lake City,” Harris said, suggesting a fuel pipeline from Utah alongside tapping into existing lines running from Texas to Arizona. While acknowledging the project would take time, he estimates it would generate thousands of jobs for roughly three years.
Dueling Claims Over Business Records and Policy Records
The race has also drawn sharp personal and political clashes over the candidates’ respective records. Dondero Loop has criticized Harris over his past business history, citing a 2008 bankruptcy.
Republican George Harris running for Nevada Senate in District 8 https://t.co/ojfXWBpjtr
Harris expressed disappointment over the issue surfacing in the campaign. He explained that his former establishment, a restaurant named La Madonna, folded when the real estate market collapsed alongside the businesses of roughly 55,000 other Nevadans during the financial crisis.
“No one could have controlled what happened,” Harris said.
In turn, Harris has challenged Dondero Loop’s legislative record, pointing to her support for taxes on gasoline and diesel fuel. Their policy disagreements extend into public safety debates as well. During an appearance on Nevada News & Views hosted by Alan Stock, Harris criticized Dondero Loop’s legislative votes, alleging she supported measures allowing non-citizens to serve as law enforcement officers—a bill that ultimately faced a veto from Governor Joe Lombardo.
With Election Day set for November 3, 2026, voters in District 8 face a clear choice between differing visions for state spending, energy independence, and legislative oversight.
