Trump-backed congressional candidate Marty O’Donnell advanced through Nevada’s Republican primary Tuesday, setting up a closely watched general election battle against Democratic Rep. Susie Lee in one of the nation’s most competitive House districts.
O’Donnell, best known as the award-winning composer behind the blockbuster Halo and Destiny video game franchises, emerged from a crowded GOP field with the support of two of Nevada’s most influential Republicans: President Donald Trump and Gov. Joe Lombardo.
The race now shifts to Nevada’s 3rd Congressional District, a suburban swing seat that has repeatedly served as a political bellwether. The district voted for Trump in 2016, flipped to Joe Biden in 2020, and then returned to Trump in 2024, even as Lee managed to hold onto her congressional seat.
That split-ticket voting pattern is expected to make the contest one of the most closely watched House races in the country.
Trump enthusiastically endorsed O’Donnell earlier this year, framing the race as a choice between two sharply different visions for Nevada and the country.
“In contrast, Marty O’Donnell is a World-Class Composer and Entrepreneur who knows the America First Policies required to Create GREAT Jobs, Cut Taxes and Regulations, Promote NO TAX ON TIPS, Advance MADE IN THE U.S.A., and Champion our Nation’s Golden Age,” Trump wrote in an April Truth Social post.
The president praised O’Donnell’s positions on border security, energy production, law enforcement, military support, and Second Amendment rights while criticizing Lee’s voting record and policy priorities.
O’Donnell has built his campaign around themes of family, small business growth, public safety, and conservative cultural issues. During the campaign, he frequently drew parallels between political debates and battles he believes have taken place within the video game industry.
The composer has been particularly outspoken about what he describes as the growing influence of diversity, equity, and inclusion initiatives in gaming. In recent comments, he argued that many gamers have pushed back against what they view as politically driven changes within the industry.
“I saw firsthand the beginning of DEI in the industry,” O’Donnell wrote, arguing that consumers have rejected entertainment products they believe prioritize political messaging over quality and storytelling.
O’Donnell’s background makes him one of the more unusual congressional candidates in the country. The Halo franchise, which he helped define through its iconic musical score, has sold tens of millions of copies worldwide and remains one of the most successful video game series ever created.
His opponent, Susie Lee, has represented Nevada’s 3rd District since 2019 and has cultivated a reputation as a moderate Democrat. Throughout her time in Congress, Lee has emphasized education, healthcare affordability, and lowering living costs for working families.
An education advocate, Lee has strongly opposed efforts to eliminate the Department of Education and has consistently supported increased federal funding for public schools, special education programs, and after-school initiatives.
On immigration, Lee has occasionally backed stronger border security measures but has criticized several Trump administration proposals, including efforts to restrict birthright citizenship. O’Donnell, by contrast, supports completing the border wall and prioritizing efforts to combat drug trafficking and human smuggling.
