Democrat Bonnie Parnell was on her way to a fifth term representing Carson City in the Nevada Assembly on Tuesday night.
What put her over the top against a well-known and respected Republican opponent, former Secretary of State Cheryl Lau, was the third candidate in the race.
Former Republican John Wagner, angered by the GOP treatment of Ron Paul supporters at this year's state convention, switched and joined the Independent American Party. Wagner siphoned off some 1,112 conservative votes from Lau.
That is nearly double Parnell's lead of 563 votes as of press time.
With part of the Washoe County vote still to come in, Parnell had 9,460 votes, according the Secretary of State's office, to 8,897 votes for Lau.
Parnell said she was honored to win another term representing District 40 "considering the quality of my opponents."
"I guess it's difficult to win in a Republican district, but I've always understood that what's most important is I represent everyone in my district," she said.
Parnell called for both parties to work together to solve Nevada's budget crisis during the coming legislative session.
"It can't be about party," she said.
Lau was unavailable for comment.
- Contact reporter Geoff Dornan at gdornan@nevadaappeal.com or 687-8750.