Nevada: Sean Fellows

LAS VEGAS-Months ago, intent on retaking the state senate, Nevada Democrats cast their sights on Senate District 5 as one of two key targets. But hopes of capturing the seat may be fading as their candidate, a self-described "political unknown," has failed to win the endorsement of one of the pillars of the state Democratic establishment, the Nevada State Education Association.

If Democrats fail to reach the veto-proof majority in the Assembly they've been craving for years, a good bit of the credit for it will belong to Monica Moradkhan. Moradkhan has served as executive director of the Republican Assembly Caucus since 2006, an unlikely vocation for the onetime UNLV hotel administration major.

"I've always had an interest in politics," said Moradkhan, 28. "It started in high school when I was on the student council and student body president."

LAS VEGAS-- Filing began this morning for non-judicial candidates in the Silver State, officially kicking off the election season. Check back regularly throughout the day with PolitickerNV.com for a list of filed candidates.

And be sure to check back at the end of the day for a summary.

Newly filed candidates in Clark and Washoe Counties:

Congressional District 1: Chris Dyer has joined the growing list of Republicans hoping to knock off Shelley Berkley in the fall.

CARSON CITY-Nevada Democrats announced today that Assemblywoman Susan Gerhardt (D-Henderson) will not seek a third term in the state legislature and that April Mastroluca, a "longtime education advocate," will run for her seat.