Catherine Cortez Masto has made American political history while serving the people of Nevada with unwavering dedication. As the first Latina ever elected to the United States Senate, Cortez Masto broke barriers in 2016 and continues to fight for working families, healthcare access, and economic opportunity.
Born and raised in Las Vegas, Nevada, this third-generation Nevadan has spent her entire career in public service. From her groundbreaking work as Nevada’s Attorney General to her current role representing the Silver State in Washington, Cortez Masto has consistently demonstrated her commitment to justice, bipartisan cooperation, and protecting the interests of everyday Nevadans.
In November 2025, Cortez Masto found herself at the center of one of the most contentious political debates in recent memory—a 40-day government shutdown that tested her principles and political independence.
Cortez Masto’s Historic Path to the Senate
Breaking Barriers as the First Latina Senator
When Catherine Cortez Masto won her Senate race in 2016, she didn’t just secure a seat in Congress—she made history. Cortez Masto became the first woman to represent Nevada in the U.S. Senate and, more significantly, the first Latina elected to the Senate in American history.
Her victory came in a fiercely contested race against Republican Joe Heck, where she won by a narrow margin of about 27,000 votes. The campaign, which saw over $100 million in spending, focused on issues including raising the minimum wage, protecting Medicare and Social Security, and comprehensive immigration reform.
From Las Vegas to Capitol Hill
Cortez Masto’s journey began in Las Vegas on March 29, 1964. Her father, Manny Cortez, was a prominent attorney and longtime head of the Las Vegas Convention and Visitors Authority. Her grandfather, Eduardo Cortez, immigrated to Nevada from Chihuahua, Mexico, establishing the family’s deep Nevada roots.
After earning her Bachelor of Science degree in finance from the University of Nevada, Reno in 1986, Cortez Masto obtained her law degree from Gonzaga University School of Law in 1990. She worked as a civil attorney in Las Vegas before serving as a federal criminal prosecutor in Washington, D.C.
Cortez Masto as Nevada Attorney General
Before her Senate career, Cortez Masto served two terms as Nevada’s Attorney General from 2007 to 2015. During this time, she earned national recognition for several significant achievements:
- Mortgage Fraud Settlement: She played a crucial role in a nationwide mortgage-fraud settlement that brought Nevada more than $1.9 billion in relief
- Sex Trafficking Laws: Cortez Masto led the fight to break up sex trafficking rings and wrote legislation making sex trafficking a crime in Nevada
- Consumer Protection: She championed consumer rights and held corporations accountable for fraudulent practices
Her tough-on-crime approach and dedication to protecting vulnerable communities established her reputation as an effective, principled leader.
Recent Legislative Work and Key Issues
Government Shutdown Controversy (2025)
In October and November 2025, Cortez Masto found herself in an unusual political position during a prolonged government shutdown. She was one of only two Democrats who repeatedly voted with Republicans to reopen the government, demonstrating her commitment to bipartisan problem-solving even when it meant breaking with her party.
Her reasoning was clear and consistent. The shutdown was causing “unimaginable pain and suffering on working people,” from TSA agents to government contractors. While many Democrats wanted to continue fighting over Affordable Care Act premium tax credits, Cortez Masto believed keeping the government open should take priority.
On November 9, 2025, she voted for the fifteenth time to reopen the government and move forward on critical funding bills. The Senate ultimately voted 60-40 to proceed with a compromise that would reopen the government while scheduling a later vote on healthcare subsidies.
Healthcare and the ACA
Healthcare remains a central focus for Cortez Masto. She has consistently fought to extend Affordable Care Act enhanced premium tax credits, which are critical for nearly 100,000 Nevadans. Without these extensions, more than 20,000 Nevadans could lose access to affordable health insurance.
Her strategic approach during the shutdown focused on forcing Republicans to go on record about healthcare: “If Republicans want to join us in lowering costs for working families, they have the chance to do so. And if they do not come to the table, they will own the premium increases they cause.”
Critical Minerals and Energy Security
Cortez Masto has been a leading voice on securing America’s supply of critical minerals. In September 2025, she introduced the Restoring American Mineral Security Act, which aims to reduce U.S. reliance on foreign countries—especially China—for essential minerals used in defense, manufacturing, and clean energy production.
She also reintroduced the Mining Schools Act of 2025, which would establish grant programs for higher education institutions like the University of Nevada’s Mackay School of Earth Sciences and Engineering to recruit students and conduct research in mineral production.
Fighting Human Trafficking
Building on her work as Attorney General, Cortez Masto introduced the Supporting Transportation Operations that Prevent Human Trafficking Act in November 2025. This legislation enhances efforts to combat human trafficking within the transportation sector through improved research and comprehensive reporting to Congress.
Supporting Nevada’s Economy
Cortez Masto has consistently advocated for policies that support Nevada’s key industries:
- Agriculture: She opposed the Trump administration’s beef deal with Argentina, arguing it would harm American ranchers
- Tourism and Hospitality: As the daughter of a Las Vegas Convention and Visitors Authority leader, she understands the importance of Nevada’s tourism industry
- Clean Energy: She supports expanding Nevada’s solar power capabilities and creating green jobs
Cortez Masto’s Committee Assignments and Leadership
In the Senate, Cortez Masto serves on several influential committees where she can directly impact Nevada and national policy:
- Senate Finance Committee
- Senate Banking, Housing, and Urban Affairs Committee
- Senate Rules and Administration Committee
- Senate Indian Affairs Committee
From 2019 to 2021, she served as Chair of the Democratic Senatorial Campaign Committee, demonstrating her party’s trust in her political acumen and fundraising abilities.
Electoral History and Political Strength
2022 Reelection Victory
Cortez Masto’s 2022 reelection campaign was one of the most closely watched Senate races in the country. She faced Republican Adam Laxalt in a race that many political analysts considered a toss-up.
Despite a challenging political environment, Cortez Masto secured a narrow victory, proving her electoral strength in a competitive swing state. Her win was crucial in determining Senate control and demonstrated her ability to build coalitions across Nevada’s diverse communities.
Political Independence and Centrism
Cortez Masto has developed a reputation as one of the Senate’s most effective members, consistently ranked high for her ability to bring Democrats, Republicans, and Independents together. Her willingness to buck her party on the 2025 government shutdown is just one example of her independent streak.
As she stated during the shutdown debate: “Congress is built on compromise, working together across the aisle to get stuff done. I still believe in it.”
Policy Positions and Legislative Priorities
Immigration Reform
As the granddaughter of Mexican immigrants and the first Latina Senator, Cortez Masto brings personal experience to immigration debates. She supports comprehensive immigration reform that provides pathways to citizenship while maintaining border security.
Climate Change and Clean Energy
Cortez Masto recognizes the reality of human-caused climate change and believes the federal government should limit greenhouse gas emissions from power plants. She supports:
- Expanding solar power and clean energy jobs in Nevada
- Opposing the use of Yucca Mountain as a nuclear waste repository
- Investing in green technology and renewable energy infrastructure
Criminal Justice
Her experience as a prosecutor and Attorney General informs her approach to criminal justice. She supports local law enforcement with adequate funding while also advocating for smart criminal justice reforms that keep communities safe.
Cannabis Legalization
Cortez Masto cosponsored the bipartisan STATES Act, which would exempt individuals and corporations complying with state cannabis laws from federal enforcement of the Controlled Substances Act.
Filibuster Reform
She supports reforming the Senate filibuster into a talking filibuster, which would require senators to physically hold the floor rather than simply threatening to block legislation.
Personal Life and Nevada Roots
Catherine Cortez Masto lives in Las Vegas with her husband, Paul Masto. The couple enjoys hiking together and exploring Nevada’s state parks, staying connected to the natural beauty of their home state.
Her deep Nevada roots inform everything she does in the Senate. She regularly travels throughout the state, meeting with rural communities and Tribes, standing up for farmers and ranchers, supporting businesses in Northern Nevada, and securing federal resources for Las Vegas.
Growing up in a union household, she learned the value of organized labor from a young age—a principle that guides her work fighting for good-paying jobs and workers’ rights.
Cortez Masto’s Impact and Legacy
Representation Matters
As the first Latina Senator, Cortez Masto’s presence in the Senate represents progress for Hispanic Americans and women in politics. She serves as a role model for young Latinas considering careers in public service.
Bipartisan Effectiveness
In an era of intense political polarization, Cortez Masto stands out for her common-sense approach and ability to find bipartisan solutions. Her work on infrastructure improvements, wildfire prevention, drought mitigation, and housing affordability demonstrates that practical problem-solving is still possible in Washington.
Nevada First
Above all, Cortez Masto’s legacy is defined by her unwavering commitment to Nevada families. Whether fighting for healthcare access, protecting workers’ rights, or securing federal funding for state projects, she consistently puts Nevadans first.
Conclusion
Catherine Cortez Masto’s career exemplifies public service at its best. From her groundbreaking election as the first Latina Senator to her recent willingness to stand alone during the 2025 government shutdown, she has consistently demonstrated courage, independence, and an unwavering commitment to Nevada families.
Her approach to governance—rooted in bipartisan cooperation, practical problem-solving, and Nevada-first priorities—offers a model for effective leadership in polarized times. Whether fighting for healthcare access, protecting workers’ rights, securing critical minerals, or combating human trafficking, Cortez Masto brings both principle and pragmatism to every challenge.
As Nevada continues to grow and evolve, Cortez Masto remains deeply connected to the state’s diverse communities, from the glittering lights of Las Vegas to rural towns and Tribal lands. Her third-generation Nevada roots, combined with her historic role as the first Latina Senator, position her uniquely to represent the Silver State’s past, present, and future.
In a political era often defined by gridlock and division, Catherine Cortez Masto proves that it’s still possible to make history, break barriers, and get things done for the people you serve.
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