 The 2nd District had been represented by Republicans continuously since its creation, and had been represented by Republican Dean Heller of Carson City since 2007.He defeated Democrat Jill Derby of Gardnerville, a former Nevada System of Higher Education Regent and Chair of the Nevada Democratic Party.Heller had previously defeated Derby in the 2006 election, although this time the margin of victory was 10.4%, as opposed to just 5% two years before.