Trump-endorsed Halo composer Marty O’Donnell wins Nevada GOP primary
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Candidate supported by Trump Marty O’Donnell advanced in a crowded GOP primary race to face Democratic incumbent Rep. Susie Lee in Nevada’s 3rd congressional district.
O’Donnell is best known as the composer of the popular “Halo.” And “Destiny” video game franchise and runs its campaign on putting “families first” as well as promoting small businesses and community safety.
The district is among Nevada’s most fiercely contested battlegrounds, with suburban voters often deciding close races. President Donald Trump carried the district in 2016 and again in 2024, while former President Joe Biden flipped it in 2020.
O’Donnell entered the primary with overwhelming support from the GOP after receiving the support of Trump and Nevada Gov. Joe Lombardo.
‘HALO’ COMPOSER’S ATTENDANCE TO CONGRESS DRAWS PARALLELLES WITH TRUMP’S RE-ELECTION AND REDUCED AWARENESS IN GAMING
Composer and audio director Marty O’Donnell attends the 20th annual DICE Awards held at the Mandalay Bay Convention Center in Las Vegas, Nev., on February 23, 2017. (Gabe Ginsberg/Getty Images)
“Susie Lee wants Open Borders, Men Playing in Women’s Sports, Transgender for All, Defund the Police, and takes away your Second Amendment, which means taking away your guns. Unfortunately, she voted against the Largest Tax Cut in History (NO TAX ON TIPS!) and fought ferociously to eliminate Rural Health Care, a huge factor in Nevada’s 3rd Congressional District,” Trump wrote in his endorsement for Truth Social in April.
“In contrast, Marty O’Donnell is a World-Class Composer and Entrepreneur who understands the America First Policies needed to Create GREAT Jobs, Reduce Taxes and Regulations, Promote NO TAX on Tips, PROGRESS US MANUFACTURING, and Champion our Nation’s Golden Age. As your next member of Congress, Marty will unleash American Energy Domination, SECURE our Borders, He will fight tirelessly to Stop Immigrant Crime, Secure THE LAW, Strengthen Our Brave Military/Veterans, and protect our ever-under-siege Second Amendment,” Trump said.
During his run for Congress, the video game composer compared the struggles against “woke” ideology in both video games and politics.
It “woke” the ideology in gaming, he wrote in 2025: “I believe the excitement for the re-release of the original ‘Halo’ is largely due to the game industry waking up.” “Many years later Gamers fighting against DEI infiltration “We are finally winning in the industry.”
“I saw it first hand The beginning of DEI He continued, describing how the industry has faced backlash for games that alienate players with their identity politics: “How did players react to some of the things that were being forced on them by the non-actors who developed these characters at the studio? They rebelled.”
Focusing on humanity’s war against alien invaders, the “Halo” games have become one of the most recognizable and enduring video game franchises since 2001, selling tens of millions of copies.
DEM SENATOR EXPLAINS HOW HE WON THE IMPORTANT STATE WHICH TRUMP FINISHED: ‘BE PRACTICAL TO FIND RESULTS’
Democratic Rep. Susie Lee has held her seat since 2019. (Madeline Carter/Las Vegas Review Magazine)
Although Lee narrowly won the congressional race he had held since 2019, large suburban voters voted for Donald Trump in the 2024 presidential election.
Lee, a former second-grade teacher, strongly opposed Trump’s call to eliminate the Department of Education and instead advocated for increased federal funding for public schools, private education and after-school programs.
A self-proclaimed moderate, Lee also campaigned on living and healthcare costs, trying to reduce costs for families.
DEM, AFFILIATED WITH THE CARTEL OPERATOR, SAYS ‘WHITE NATIONALISTS’ ARE PARTICIPATING IN IMMIGRATION FORCE TO ‘HUNT PEOPLE’
Nevada’s 3rd congressional district has a significant Hispanic population, and many voters are affiliated with Nevada’s gaming, hospitality and tourism industries. (David Becker/Getty Images)
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O’Donnell supports tight border control, a finished border wall and targeting human and drug smuggling.
Lee has at times supported tougher border security measures but opposed Trump’s efforts to restrict birthright citizenship and criticized some aspects of his immigration policies.
