| Election Name: | 2000 United States Senate election in Nevada |
| Country: | Nevada |
| Type: | presidential |
| Ongoing: | no |
| Previous Election: | 1994 United States Senate election in Nevada |
| Previous Year: | 1994 |
| Next Election: | 2006 United States Senate election in Nevada |
| Next Year: | 2006 |
| Election Date: | November 7, 2000 |
| Image1: | File:John Ensign official portrait.jpg |
| Nominee1: | John Ensign |
| Party1: | Republican Party (United States) |
| Popular Vote1: | 330,687 |
| Percentage1: | 55.09% |
| Nominee2: | Ed Bernstein |
| Party2: | Democratic Party (United States) |
| Popular Vote2: | 238,260 |
| Percentage2: | 39.69% |
| Map Size: | 250px |
| U.S. Senator | |
| Before Election: | Richard Bryan |
| Before Party: | Democratic Party (United States) |
| After Election: | John Ensign |
| After Party: | Republican Party (United States) |
The 2000 United States Senate election in Nevada was held on November 7, 2000. Incumbent Democrat Richard Bryan decided to retire instead of seeking a third term. Republican nominee John Ensign won the open seat. John Ensign defeated Ed Bernstein in a landslide despite George W. Bush carrying the state by a very narrow margin in the concurrent presidential election in the state.
Incumbent Richard Bryan had been re-elected in 1994, winning by a comfortable margin amidst a national Republican wave.
Incumbent Senator Richard Bryan had first been elected in 1988, and re-elected comfortably in 1994 amidst a national Republican wave. When he announced his retirement on February 18, 1999, many saw this decision as creating a competitive race.[1] Immediately, both parties sought top recruits, with Democrats favoring former governor Bob Miller, and Republicans seeking former congressman, and 1998 Senate nominee John Ensign.[2]
Miller was interested, but on March 15, 1999 announced he would not run for Senate.[6] He chose not to run, as he liked living in Nevada and he and his family felt that 25 years in politics was enough.[7] With Miller out of the running, the next credible challenger was Nevada Attorney General Frankie Sue Del Papa. However, she would withdraw in September of that year, citing a lack of fundraising. In the end, Democrats would nominate wealthy attorney and talk show host Ed Bernstein.[8]
Bernstein was unopposed in the Democratic primary.
Ensign, a former congressman, lost the 1998 Senate election to Harry Reid by a narrow margin of 401 votes. After this loss, Ensign contemplated leaving politics for good. Bryan's retirement shook up these plans and Ensign, a top recruit for the GOP, ran and became a top fundraiser. Ensign faced only token opposition.
Ensign was the favorite leading in polls by double digits. and significantly outraising his opponent.[9] [10] Bernstein would counter by loaning his campaign nearly $1 million of his own money.[11] The trajectory of the race would change in the late summer when Ensign would face attacks for his anti-abortion stance and for voting to slash Social Security benefits. Ensign also was hurt by his comments claiming tax payer funded abortion to be worse than rape.[12] Bernstein also drew attention for his campaign by taking a group of senior citizens to Mexico to get them prescription drugs and highlight the high prices of prescription drugs.[13] However, even with these developments, Ensign still maintained a comfortable lead in polling in the closing weeks of the race.[14]
On election night, Ensign won comfortably, winning every county and ending a 12 year losing streak for Republicans in the states Senate races.[15]