Marty O’Donnell Advances in Nevada GOP Primary
Marty O’Donnell, the composer behind the blockbuster “Halo” and “Destiny” game franchises, has moved ahead in Nevada’s crowded Republican primary and will now face Democratic Rep. Susie Lee in the state’s 3rd Congressional District.
The race matters because this district has a habit of going back and forth. It is one of Nevada’s most competitive suburban areas, and voters there have helped decide close elections again and again. Donald Trump carried the district in 2016 and 2024, while Joe Biden won it in 2020.
O’Donnell entered the contest with a big boost. He picked up endorsements from Trump and Nevada Gov. Joe Lombardo, two names that carry real weight in a Republican primary. His campaign has focused on a simple message: families first, stronger small businesses, and safer neighborhoods.
Trump’s endorsement framed the race in blunt terms. “Susie Lee wants Open Borders, Men playing in Women’s Sports, Transgender for Everyone, Defund the Police, and wants to take away your Second Amendment, meaning, your guns. Sadly, she voted against the Biggest Tax Cut in History (including NO TAX ON TIPS!), and fought ferociously to knock out Rural Healthcare, a big factor in Nevada’s 3rd Congressional District,” Trump wrote on Truth Social in April.
He also praised O’Donnell directly. “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. As your next Congressman, Marty will fight tirelessly to Unleash American Energy DOMINANCE, Keep our Border SECURE, Stop Migrant Crime, Ensure LAW AND ORDER, Strengthen our Brave Military/Veterans, and Protect our always under siege Second Amendment,” said Trump.
O’Donnell has also leaned into a broader fight over culture and politics. During his run, he has compared the pushback against “woke” ideology in gaming with the pushback he says voters are giving it in public life. In a 2025 post, he wrote, “I believe the enthusiasm for the re-release of the original ‘Halo’ is in large part due to the wokification of the gaming industry,” and added, “After years of gamers fighting the infiltration of DEI in the industry, we are finally winning.”
He said, “I saw firsthand the beginning of DEI in the industry,” and described a backlash from players who did not want identity politics forced into games. “How did gamers react to having things forced on them by non-gamers developing these characters in the studio? They revolted.”
Lee, for her part, has held the seat since 2019 and has tried to cast herself as a moderate focused on everyday costs. She has opposed Trump’s push to eliminate the Department of Education and has backed more federal support for public schools, special education, and after-school programs. She has also talked about the cost of living and healthcare.
On immigration, O’Donnell is calling for tighter border control, a finished border wall, and tougher action against human and drug trafficking. Lee has backed some stronger border measures at times, but she opposes Trump’s push to restrict birthright citizenship and has criticized parts of his immigration agenda.