2nd Congressional District

2nd Congressional District candidate Jill Derby.LAS VEGAS - Democratic 2nd Congressional District candidate Jill Derby issued a statement today praising the U.S. Supreme Court's decision to strike down a Washington D.C. ban on handguns.

"Today's Supreme Court decision sets an important precedent in defense of the Second Amendment," said Derby. "Sensible gun laws must include respect for our Constitution and for gun ownership as a part of American culture.  This ruling affirms that law-abiding citizens have a right to gun ownership for self-defense in the home and for hunting.  Thanks to today's decision, that right will remain strong through the 21st century."

Derby, who is running against U.S. Rep. Dean Heller (R-Reno) in a rematch of 2006, has made a point of establishing her "moderate-to-conservative" credentials, having received the endorsement of the Democrats' Blue Dog Coalition last month.

LAS VEGAS - Democrat Jill Derby's campaign for the 2nd Congressional District is expanding, preparing to open its second office, this one in Reno, and add new staff in her battle to unseat U.S. Rep. Dean Heller (R-Reno).

Derby's campaign has been operating out of an office in Minden, at the bottom of the 2nd district's populous U.S. 395 corridor. A new office in Reno will allow Derby's campaign to operate an effective field operation in the vote-rich Democratic center of Washoe County. In 2006, her first race against Heller, Derby won Washoe County by fewer than 5,000 votes.

RENO-Former university regent Jill Derby wraps up her convention speech with a reminder of her roots.

RENO-Former university regent Jill Derby continues her call for a change in Washington.

Former Nevada Democratic Party Chairwoman Jill Derby.LAS VEGAS-Former university regent Jill Derby picked up the support of the Democratic Blue Dog Coalition today in her second attempt at the 2nd Congressional District seat now held by Republican Rep. Dean Heller.  Derby announced the endorsement in a conference call this morning with Rep. Mike Ross (D-Ark.), co-chair of the coalition.

"We're a group of fiscally conservative Democrats that are tired of the partisan bickering that goes on up in Washington and we try to bridge the partisan divide in congress," said Ross.  "We are endorsing Jill Derby because we believe she will join us in putting an end to the partisan bickering in Washington and pushing through commonsense fiscal policies."

"I am honored to receive the endorsement of the Blue Dog Coalition," said Derby.  "The Blue Dogs work for straight talk and fiscally conservative values and we need more of both in Congress.  I look forward to working with them to bring the real change we need to Washington."

LAS VEGAS-For the fourth straight month, Nevada Democrats have built on their voter registration edge over Republicans and now hold an advantage of more than 50,000 voters.

According to newly released numbers by the secretary of state's office, there are now 448,853 active Democratic voters in the Silver State. That's 43 percent of the electorate.  There are 398,039 active Republican voters, about 38 percent of the electorate.