President Donald Trump is quietly pouring millions into Nevada’s top congressional race under a super PAC that he’s yet to disclose, in an effort to help Republicans hold their majority in DC.
The Safety and Affordability PAC has booked nearly $3 million in broadcast advertising to aid Republican nominee Marty O’Donnell, according to media tracking data. The group is “financially backed by MAGA Inc,” according to the New York Times.
The Safety and Affordability PAC is one of two new super PACs affiliated with Trump, appearing late enough in the election cycle and heavily spending before the donors are legally required to be disclosed.
The blitz comes as Trump’s political operation directs an estimated $138 million into competitive congressional races nationwide to bolster conservative candidates heading into the general election.
Trump’s push in battleground districts
It comes as Trump falsely promised to give Americans $5,000 if Republicans sweep the election in November, while Vice President JD Vance recently asked the American people to “give us another chance.”
O’Donnell shared similar sentiment last week when he spoke at the Republican Midterm Convention on Sept. 10 in Dallas, Texas.
“Democrats in Washington have tried to stop the policies the American people have voted overwhelmingly for,” O’Donnell said on stage. “… We have to give this president bigger majorities in Congress, so we can help him finish the job.”
O’Donnell is especially gaining traction nationally because of the music he produced in popular video games, such as Halo and Destiny. When he first greeted the audience at the convention, he sang brief snippets of the popular music he helped make. The audience cheered, laughed and even sang along.
The Republican nominee then segued into a personal story, sharing he’s running for Congress because of his grandkids.
“We’re still digging our way out of Biden’s inflation crisis. Young people can’t afford homes, families are spread to the limit,” O’Donnell told the audience. “The Democrats in Washington, most of them have no idea what that feels like.”
Residency and out-of-state money under scrutiny
While O’Donnell said Democrats don’t understand the affordability crisis, Democrats have criticized O’Donnell, alleging he hasn’t lived in Las Vegas long enough to understand the district he’s running for.
O’Donnell moved to Nevada in 2021, also for his grandkids, but said on his podcast he “would probably never just choose to live in Las Vegas out of the blue.”
The Nevadan previously reported on an audio obtained from a GOP event in 2024, where O’Donnell admitted he needs to “learn” more about Nevada, such as housing, infrastructure and water policy, when he first ran for Congress, but didn’t make it past the crowded Republican primary.
As O’Donnell rakes in donations from Trump’s super PACs, Nevada Democrats have titled O’Donnell as “MAGA[’s] darling.”
“Voters have Congresswoman Susie Lee who is fighting to end the war, stop the tariffs, and block corporations from buying up our homes,” said Asaf Grofman, Nevada State Democratic Party spokesperson. “Nevadans want an independent thinker who will fight for them, not another MAGA disciple.”
Between O’Donnell and incumbent Rep. Susie Lee (D-CD3), O’Donnell has the most out of state contributions which account for 91% of his cash on hand, according to OpenSecrets.
Though Republicans are vying to unseat Lee — or “retire” her as O’Donnell has said on several occasions — Congressional District 3 leans Democrat, according to the Cook Political Report. It’s considered the most competitive race because in 2024, Trump won CD3 by less than one percentage point.
