U.S. House, Nevada 1st Congressional District · Election November 3, 2026 · Updated
Who should I vote for in Nevada's 1st Congressional District?
Dina Titus has the strongest record in Nevada's 1st Congressional District. Dina Titus scores 68 out of 100 on the Ballot Standard, ahead of Carrie Buck at 59, as of October 6, 2026. Dina Titus's highest marks are relevant experience and command of the job. Carrie Buck's highest marks are relevant experience and roots in the constituency. Steven St John (3 of 15 criteria) and Bobby Khan (6 of 15 criteria) have too little public record to score. Every score comes from public records on character, qualifications and performance, the same way for every party.
Republican
Carrie Buck
On the ballot as Carrie Ann Buck
59 / 100
Public evidence on 11 of 15 criteria
- Character
- 50
- Qualifications
- 70
- Performance
- 50
Independent
Steven St John
On the ballot as Steven "Chap" St John
Not enough public record for a score
Public evidence on 3 of 15 criteria
- Character
- NR
- Qualifications
- 50
- Performance
- NR
Independent
Bobby Khan
On the ballot as Afzal "Bobby" Khan
Not enough public record for a score
Public evidence on 6 of 15 criteria
- Character
- 0
- Qualifications
- 45
- Performance
- NR
Democratic · incumbent
Strongest record
Dina Titus
68 / 100
Public evidence on 14 of 15 criteria
- Character
- 50
- Qualifications
- 80
- Performance
- 75
The good, the bad and the unresolved
The record
The notable facts of each candidate's public life, each tied to a source and confirmed to be this person. Unresolved matters are labeled with where they stand and do not move a score.
Carrie Buck
- On the record2026
Deleted social media posts in 2026, including posts praising tariffs and the One Big Beautiful Bill and one comparing women who have abortions to Adolf Hitler, per the Nevada Current and the Nevada Independent.
Sources: Nevada Current, as published by Yahoo News, Sept. 23, 2026, The Nevada Independent, Sept. 27, 2026
- On the record2023
Voted with Democrats in 2023 for an abortion shield law and a bill on gender-affirming care in state prisons; by 2025 she was among the three Republican senators least likely to break with her party.
- On the record2021 to 2025
No bill she sponsored as a state senator became law in the 2021, 2023 or 2025 sessions, the only senator with that record this decade, per the Nevada Independent.
Sources: The Nevada Independent, Sept. 27, 2026, Center for Effective Lawmaking, State Legislative Effectiveness Scores data file
- On the record2017
Was the Republican choice in an unsuccessful 2017 effort to recall Democratic state Sen. Joyce Woodhouse, whom she had narrowly lost to in 2016; she later apologized to Woodhouse.
- Credit2008
Won a Milken Educator Award in 2008 as principal of C.T. Sewell Elementary, where math and reading proficiency rose about 50 percentage points under her leadership.
Steven St John
No notable items confirmed in news archives or public documents.
Bobby Khan
- Mark against2020 to 2022
Pleaded guilty to one count of wire fraud over his New Jersey car dealership and was sentenced in 2022 to 24 months in prison; he served about eight months.
Sources: WPG Talk Radio, 2022, Las Vegas Review-Journal, Aug. 9, 2025
- Mark against2014 to 2020
Was a fugitive from 2014 and listed among the FBI's Most Wanted over the dealership fraud case before the case resolved with his guilty plea.
Sources: Fox News, Nov. 7, 2019, Las Vegas Review-Journal, Aug. 9, 2025
Dina Titus
- On the record2025-01
Voted for the Laken Riley Act in January 2025 on both House passage votes, while Democratic Leader Hakeem Jeffries voted against.
Sources: House Clerk Roll Call 6, Jan. 7, 2025, House Clerk Roll Call 23, Jan. 22, 2025
- On the record2021-01-06
Voted against both January 2021 objections to the Arizona and Pennsylvania electoral votes.
Sources: House Clerk Roll Call 10, Jan. 6, 2021, House Clerk Roll Call 11, Jan. 7, 2021
- Credit2025-08
Held a town hall in August 2025 with experts on a federal tax change limiting gambling loss deductions.
Source: KTNV, Aug. 11, 2025
- Credit2023 to 2024
Rated Exceeds expectations by the Center for Effective Lawmaking in the 118th Congress, third among House Democrats, and the primary sponsor of eight enacted bills in her career.
Sources: Center for Effective Lawmaking House dataset, 93rd to 118th Congress, GovTrack, enacted legislation
- Credit2023
Ranked 94th of 436 House members on the Lugar Center Bipartisan Index for 2023, in the top quarter.
Source: Lugar Center and McCourt School Bipartisan Index, House Scores
Who they are
Character
Integrity
Tells the truth, keeps their word, and takes no private gain from public office.
Carrie Buck. Campaign reports are on file with the FEC through June 30, 2026, and a House candidate financial disclosure was filed Aug. 13, 2026. No FEC, Nevada ethics or court finding against her found.
Sources: FEC candidate page, House Clerk candidate financial disclosure, Filing ID 10077674, Nevada Commission on Ethics, Opinions page (updated Aug. 27, 2026)
Steven St John. No public record found.
Bobby Khan. Pleaded guilty to one count of federal wire fraud tied to his New Jersey car dealership and was sentenced in 2022 to 24 months in prison; he describes himself as a convicted felon.
Sources: WPG Talk Radio, 2022, Las Vegas Review-Journal, Aug. 9, 2025
Dina Titus. Annual financial disclosures on file with the House Clerk; no periodic transaction reports (stock trades) filed 2019 to 2026. No House Ethics matter naming her as respondent and no FEC administrative fine found.
Sources: House Committee on Ethics site search for Titus, FEC candidate page
Courage
Takes a stand that costs them something, including telling their own side no.
Carrie Buck. In 2023 was among the Republican state senators most likely to vote against her party, backing an abortion shield law and a bill on gender-affirming care in state prisons, per the Nevada Independent. By 2025 she rarely broke with her party.
Steven St John. No public record found.
Bobby Khan. No public record found.
Dina Titus. Voted Yea on the Laken Riley Act (Roll Calls 6 and 23 of 2025) while Democratic Leader Hakeem Jeffries voted Nay.
Sources: House Clerk Roll Call 6, Jan. 7, 2025, House Clerk Roll Call 23, Jan. 22, 2025
Accountability
Owns mistakes, answers hard questions, and works in the open.
Carrie Buck. Completed the Nevada Independent's 2026 issue questionnaire and appears at public events. No 2026 general election debate record found either way.
Sources: The Nevada Independent, Sept. 10, 2026, The Nevada Independent, Sept. 27, 2026
Steven St John. No public record found.
Bobby Khan. No public record found.
Dina Titus. Held a public town hall in August 2025 on the gambling tax change and completed the Nevada Independent's 2026 questionnaire. No 2026 general election debate record found either way.
Sources: KTNV, Aug. 11, 2025, The Nevada Independent, Sept. 10, 2026
Temperament and judgment
Steady under pressure, decides on evidence, and treats opponents and staff with respect.
Carrie Buck. Teacher, principal, charter network leader and state senator since 2020 with no censure, reprimand or conduct finding found. Since-deleted posts and partisan language are in the Record.
Steven St John. No public record found.
Bobby Khan. No public record found.
Dina Titus. Twenty years in the Nevada Senate and in Congress since 2013 (and 2009 to 2011), including service on a House Ethics investigative subcommittee, with no censure, reprimand or conduct finding found.
Sources: House Committee on Ethics site search for Titus, Ballotpedia, Dina Titus
Fidelity to the oath
Uses power inside its limits: accepts certified results, obeys court rulings, follows the rules of the office.
Carrie Buck. Sworn Nevada state senator since November 2020 with no misuse-of-office finding and no recorded action to reject certified results; she has voiced doubts about election security (statements, not acts).
Sources: Ballotpedia, Carrie Buck (Nevada), The Nevada Independent, Sept. 27, 2026
Steven St John. No public record found.
Bobby Khan. No public record found.
Dina Titus. Voted Nay on both January 2021 objections to certified electors (Roll Calls 10 and 11); no misuse-of-office finding.
Sources: House Clerk Roll Call 10, Jan. 6, 2021, House Clerk Roll Call 11, Jan. 7, 2021
What they bring
Qualifications
Relevant experience
Has done work that prepares them for this specific office.
Carrie Buck. Nevada state senator for District 5 since 2020, now in her second term; earlier a principal, executive director and lead principal of the Pinecrest Academy of Nevada, and president of the Pinecrest Foundation.
Steven St John. Hospital chaplain for ten years, by his own account; earlier worked in advertising, marketing and business development.
Sources: Ballotpedia, Steven St John, Campaign site, home page
Bobby Khan. Former owner of a New Jersey luxury car dealership whose operation led to his fraud conviction; no other documented leadership role.
Dina Titus. U.S. House member 2009 to 2011 and since 2013; 20 years in the Nevada Senate; taught at UNLV for 34 years.
Sources: GovTrack, Dina Titus, Ballotpedia, Dina Titus
Command of the job
Knows the issues and knows what the office can and cannot do.
Carrie Buck. Publishes positions in general terms through the Nevada Independent's questionnaire (election rules, immigration, tariffs, health care). No committee chair post found.
Steven St John. Publishes positions in general terms on health care, seniors and cost of living.
Source: Campaign site, home page
Bobby Khan. Publishes positions in general terms: no taxes on veteran income or gambling winnings, ending civil asset forfeiture without conviction, prison reform.
Source: Campaign site, home page
Dina Titus. Ranking member of the Transportation and Infrastructure Subcommittee on Railroads, Pipelines, and Hazardous Materials; primary sponsor of eight enacted bills.
Source: GovTrack, committee membership
Communication
Explains plainly, persuades, and listens.
Carrie Buck. Two channels documented: the Nevada Independent's questionnaire and a campaign website. Has not completed Ballotpedia's 2026 survey.
Sources: The Nevada Independent, Sept. 10, 2026, Ballotpedia, Carrie Buck (Nevada)
Steven St John. Completed Ballotpedia's 2026 Candidate Connection survey and publishes issue pages.
Source: Ballotpedia, Steven St John
Bobby Khan. Completed Ballotpedia's Candidate Connection survey and publishes issue positions on his campaign site.
Dina Titus. Three channels documented: an office e-newsletter, a public town hall and the Nevada Independent's questionnaire. Has not completed Ballotpedia's 2026 survey.
Sources: Office site, home page, KTNV, Aug. 11, 2025, Ballotpedia, Dina Titus
Roots in the constituency
Lives there, knows the people, and is funded by them.
Carrie Buck. Moved to Las Vegas in 1996 and has taught, led schools and served in the Henderson-area state Senate seat since. FEC by-state totals show about 33 percent of itemized contributions from Nevada ($376,044 of $1,140,514).
Sources: The Nevada Independent, Sept. 27, 2026, FEC contribution totals by state
Steven St John. No public record found.
Bobby Khan. Las Vegas resident since 2023. FEC by-state totals show about 51 percent of itemized contributions from Nevada ($39,445 of $77,679).
Sources: Las Vegas Review-Journal, Aug. 9, 2025, FEC contribution totals by state
Dina Titus. Taught at UNLV for 34 years and represented a Las Vegas state Senate district for 20 years. FEC by-state totals show about 41 percent of itemized contributions from Nevada ($287,600 of $706,435).
Sources: Ballotpedia, Dina Titus, FEC contribution totals by state
Management
Can build and run an organization.
Carrie Buck. Led the Pinecrest Academy of Nevada charter network as executive director and raised about $3 million for students as Pinecrest Foundation president. FEC reports on file; no administrative fine found.
Sources: Ballotpedia, Carrie Buck (Nevada), The Nevada Independent, Sept. 27, 2026
Steven St John. No public record found.
Bobby Khan. Campaign reports on file with the FEC through June 30, 2026; no FEC administrative fine found.
Source: FEC candidate page
Dina Titus. Campaign reports on file with the FEC through June 30, 2026; no FEC administrative fine found. Runs a House office with a Las Vegas district office.
Source: FEC candidate page
What they deliver
Performance
Results
Turns ideas into outcomes.
Carrie Buck. State Legislative Effectiveness Score Meets expectations in both scored Senate terms (2021 to 2024), but no bill she sponsored became law; the Nevada Independent reports she is the only state senator who passed none this decade. As a principal, C.T. Sewell proficiency rose about 50 points.
Sources: Center for Effective Lawmaking, State Legislative Effectiveness Scores data file, The Nevada Independent, Sept. 27, 2026
Steven St John. No public record found.
Bobby Khan. No public record found.
Dina Titus. Center for Effective Lawmaking: Exceeds expectations in the 118th Congress (LES 2.0 of 2.362 against a benchmark of 0.543), 3rd among Democrats; also Exceeds in the 117th. Primary sponsor of eight enacted bills.
Sources: Center for Effective Lawmaking House dataset, 93rd to 118th Congress, GovTrack, enacted legislation
Showing up
Does the basic work of the job.
Carrie Buck. No public record found.
Steven St John. No public record found.
Bobby Khan. No public record found.
Dina Titus. Missed 337 of 9,263 roll call votes, 3.6 percent, from January 2009 to September 2026.
Source: GovTrack, missed votes
Constituent service
Solves problems for the people they represent.
Carrie Buck. No public record found.
Steven St John. No public record found.
Bobby Khan. No public record found.
Dina Titus. Keeps a Las Vegas district office open weekdays and offers help with federal agencies. No published casework totals found.
Source: Office site, home page
Coalition building
Wins support beyond their own faction.
Carrie Buck. No public record found.
Steven St John. No public record found.
Bobby Khan. No public record found.
Dina Titus. Lugar Center Bipartisan Index score of 0.17406 for the 118th Congress (2023), ranked 94 of 436, in the top quarter.
Source: Lugar Center and McCourt School Bipartisan Index, House Scores
Stewardship of public money
Treats tax dollars as someone else's money.
Carrie Buck. No public record found.
Steven St John. No public record found.
Bobby Khan. No public record found.
Dina Titus. No public record found.
How to read this
Each criterion is scored 0 to 4 against the written rubric in the Ballot Standard. NR means no record: there is no reliable public evidence either way, so the criterion is left out and never counts against the candidate. A total is published when at least 8 of 15 criteria have evidence.
A sitting officeholder has a longer public record than a first-time candidate, so the two totals rest on different amounts of evidence. Read the count of criteria beside each score. Low marks require an official finding or a primary record. Allegations and opinion are not used.
No policy position is scored. Evidence checked October 6, 2026. Campaigns and readers can send a correction with a public source to tpg@thepoliticalgroup.com.
Questions
Who should I vote for in Nevada's 1st Congressional District?
Dina Titus has the strongest record in Nevada's 1st Congressional District. Dina Titus scores 68 out of 100 on the Ballot Standard, ahead of Carrie Buck at 59, as of October 6, 2026. Dina Titus's highest marks are relevant experience and command of the job. Carrie Buck's highest marks are relevant experience and roots in the constituency. Steven St John (3 of 15 criteria) and Bobby Khan (6 of 15 criteria) have too little public record to score. Every score comes from public records on character, qualifications and performance, the same way for every party.
Who is running in Nevada's 1st Congressional District in 2026?
Carrie Buck (Republican), Steven St John (Independent), Bobby Khan (Independent), Dina Titus (Democratic, incumbent). The general election is November 3, 2026.
Is Carrie Buck a good candidate for Congress?
Carrie Buck scores 59 out of 100 on the Ballot Standard, with public evidence on 11 of 15 criteria: character 50 of 100, qualifications 70 of 100, performance 50 of 100. The standard measures character, qualifications and performance, not policy positions.
Is Steven St John a good candidate for Congress?
Steven St John has public evidence on 3 of the 15 Ballot Standard criteria, short of the 8 needed for a score. The evidence that exists is shown on the scorecard. No record never counts against a candidate.
Is Bobby Khan a good candidate for Congress?
Bobby Khan has public evidence on 6 of the 15 Ballot Standard criteria, short of the 8 needed for a score. The evidence that exists is shown on the scorecard. No record never counts against a candidate.
Is Dina Titus a good candidate for Congress?
Dina Titus scores 68 out of 100 on the Ballot Standard, with public evidence on 14 of 15 criteria: character 50 of 100, qualifications 80 of 100, performance 75 of 100. The standard measures character, qualifications and performance, not policy positions.
How is the strongest record decided?
The candidate with the highest Ballot Standard score has the strongest record. Each of 15 criteria on character, qualifications and performance is scored 0 to 4 from public records and established reporting, the same way for every party. No policy position is scored, and unresolved accusations never move a score.
More on this race: every Nevada race scored, the trailing candidate's path to victory, and the Nevada 2026 election guide. Independent scorecard by The Political Group, not affiliated with any candidate or party.