As Silver State Democrats await a decision from state Senate Minority Leader Dina Titus (D) on whether she will pick up the party mantle in the 3rd district race against Rep. Jon Porter (R), the liberal 501(c)(4) group Americans United for Change is releasing a new ad today on Las Vegas radio stations that attacks the Congressman and Sen. John Ensign (R) for their ties to President Bush.

Americans United is trying to help clear the legislative roadblocks that have kept the Lilly Ledbetter Fair Pay Act from passing Congress. Supporters say the legislation is necessary to ensure that women and minorities receive equal pay.

“Why would Sen. Ensign and Congressman Porter be against fair pay?” the new ad states. “Why would anyone? But Porter and Ensign stood with Bush — instead of standing against pay discrimination on the job.”

Titus is likely to jump into the Congressional race because the Democrats’ one-time leading contender, former Clark County prosecutor Robert Daskas, dropped out of the race on Monday.

— John McArdle