Trump to Raise Money for Vulnerable Heller in Nevada

President will also head to North Dakota for Cramer rally

Nevada Republican Sen. Dean Heller, left, faces a challenge from Democratic Rep. Jacky Rosen, right, for his seat. (Bill Clark/CQ Roll Call file photo)
Nevada Republican Sen. Dean Heller, left, faces a challenge from Democratic Rep. Jacky Rosen, right, for his seat. (Bill Clark/CQ Roll Call file photo)
Posted June 18, 2018 at 9:27am

In attempts to bolster a vulnerable Senate seat, President Donald Trump will headline a fundraising event Saturday for incumbent Nevada Republican Dean Heller.

Tickets run at $15,000 per couple for a photo reception and $50,000 to be seated at a private roundtable with the president.

Heller, rated the most vulnerable Senate incumbent, faces Democratic Rep. Jacky Rosen in the November general election.

Continuing his record of an active role in Nevada GOP politics, the president is also expected to make an appearance at the Nevada Republican Party’s state convention. Trump previously helped Heller avoid a primary challenge from Danny Tarkanian by urging the state representative to run for a seat in Congress instead.

Tarkanian won the GOP primary last week for the seat Rosen is vacating.

Heller drew Trump’s ire for his initial opposition to the Republican health care bill in the Senate last year before eventually voting for it. Trump joked at a White House luncheon with Heller seated next to him “he wants to remain a senator, doesn’t he?”

Inside Elections with Nathan L. Gonzales rates Heller’s race Toss-up.

The president will also campaign for Rep. Kevin Cramer on June 27 in his race against Democratic Sen. Heidi Heitkamp. This comes amid tension between Cramer and Trump, with Cramer saying that Trump encouraged him to run for Senate but seemed to say good things only about Heitkamp.

“He’s coming to Fargo on the 27th to support me,” Cramer told The Forum News Service in an email.

Trump last visited North Dakota in September to bolster support for the GOP tax reform bill, and in seeking Heitkamp’s vote for the plan he called her “a good woman.” Heitkamp has been one of the few Democrats in recent times to vote across party lines, and some Republicans say the president has been too soft on her.

However, last week the President solidified his support of Cramer in a tweet after winning his primary.

“Congratulations to @KevinCramer on his huge win in North Dakota. We need Kevin in the Senate, and I strongly endorse him. Heidi voted NO on our Tax Cuts, and always will vote no when we need her. Kevin is strong on Crime & Borders, big on Cutting Taxes!”

The North Dakota Senate race is also rated Toss-up.

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