The National Republican Senatorial Committee is expressing its support for incumbent GOP Sen. Dean Heller, who now faces a primary challenge from Danny Tarkanian.
In a statement shortly after Tarkanian announced his candidacy on Tuesday, committee spokesman Michael McAdams says Heller has repeatedly "proven he is unafraid to put Nevadans first."
McAdams said the NRSC "fully supports Senator Heller in his primary and general elections," and added that the campaign committee is confident Heller will win another term in next year's elections.
The 55-year-old is a former professional basketball player and the son of former University of Nevada-Las Vegas men's basketball coach Jerry Tarkanian. He ran unsuccessfully for several offices in Nevada over the past decade.
Tarkanian has aligned himself closely with President Donald Trump and criticized Heller's votes on health care.
Tarkanian most recently ran for the House in 2016, losing to Democrat Jacky Rosen by fewer than 4,000 votes. Rosen is running for the Senate seat held by Heller, who in his second term.
(Copyright 2017 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.)
