Cresent Hardy

Cresent Leo Hardy (born June 23, 1957) is an American politician and businessman who served as the U.S. representative for from 2015 to 2017. A member of the Republican Party, he previously served in the Nevada Assembly from 2010 to 2014.

Hardy unseated one-term Democratic incumbent Steven Horsford in 2014, then lost his own bid for re-election in the 2016 general election to Democratic challenger Ruben Kihuen. Kihuen then retired after one term due to sexual misconduct allegations, so Hardy ran for his old seat in 2018, losing to Horsford in a rematch. Hardy later ran unsuccessfully for Nevada's 1st congressional district in the 2022 election.

Early life and education

Hardy graduated from Virgin Valley High School and Dixie State College.

Business career

Since leaving college, Hardy has pursued a career in business. He is a partial owner of properties in Alaska and Utah as well as in and around Mesquite, Nevada. Prior to entering Congress, he was a partner in a construction company. He was also one of several owners of Mesquite's Falcon Ridge Golf Course, which he personally designed.

Hardy began his career in government by serving as the public works director in Mesquite, Nevada. He then became a member of the Virgin Valley Water District and a member of the Mesquite City Council. He was elected to the Nevada State Assembly in 2010.

U.S. House of Representatives Elections 2014

Hardy ran as a candidate for the United States House of Representatives in , held by Steven Horsford of the Democratic Party, in the 2014 election. Hardy defeated Horsford 48.5% to 45.7%.

Hardy held "a number of community meetings" after being elected. He said "the two issues he heard about most often...were jobs and health care," and these would become his priorities in office.

2016

Hardy ran for re-election in 2016. Hardy faced two challengers in the Republican primary in June 2016, winning 77.44% of the vote. In the general election, he faced Democratic state senator Ruben Kihuen. Kihuen defeated Hardy with 48.5% of the vote. While Hardy carried six of the district's seven counties, he could not overcome a 24,000-vote deficit in Clark County. After initially supporting Donald Trump's presidential bid, Hardy said in October 2016 he would not vote for Trump.

2018

In January 2018, Hardy announced his candidacy for his old congressional seat after Republican Las Vegas City Councilman Stavros Anthony dropped out of the race. He won the June 2018 Republican primary. In August 2018, Speaker of the House Paul Ryan campaigned for Hardy in Las Vegas.

Hardy faced Democratic nominee and former U.S. Representative for the district, Steven Horsford in the general election. Horsford defeated Hardy, winning 52% of the vote to Hardy's 44%. Third-party candidates took the remaining 4% of the vote.

Committee assignments

Committee on Natural Resources Subcommittee on Energy and Mineral Resources Subcommittee on Federal Lands Committee on Small Business Subcommittee on Contracting and Workforce (Chair) Subcommittee on Investigations, Oversight and Regulations Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure Subcommittee on Highways and Transit Subcommittee on Railroads, Pipelines, and Hazardous Materials Subcommittee on Water Resources and Environment

Political positions

Immigration

Hardy voted against an amendment to defund President Barack Obama's DACA program.

Iran deal

Hardy opposed President Obama's Iran deal.

Personal life

Hardy and his wife, Peri Jean Hardy, have four children and two grandchildren.

Electoral history