Henderson voters will choose between challenger Jennifer Atlas and incumbent Councilwoman Carrie Cox for the Ward 3 seat on Tuesday, Nov. 3.

Atlas, a nonprofit government affairs director who works for the American Cancer Society Cancer Action Network, led the four-candidate June primary with about 38% of the vote, or roughly 4,400 ballots, according to Nevada Current. Cox finished second with about 31%, or roughly 3,500 votes. Neither secured a majority, sending both to the general election.

The race is officially nonpartisan, but the candidates carry distinct party endorsements and sharply different priorities.

Where they stand

Atlas has campaigned on health advocacy and affordability, according to 8 News Now, which interviewed both candidates separately. She told the station her priorities center on keeping Henderson affordable for families.

Atlas previously told the Nevada Current she would like to see Henderson "put up some guardrails" to limit corporate homebuying. On her campaign website, she has said "city government can do more to help businesses grow, add jobs and diversify our economy," according to Nevada Current.

Cox has campaigned on public safety, pointing on her website to lower crime rates during her time in office. She argued to 8 News Now that some of Atlas's promises fall outside the jurisdiction of a city council member, saying affordability issues like grocery prices are a state and federal responsibility.

Cox, who took office in 2023, won the Ward 3 seat during the 2022 midterm election after finishing second in that year's primary, according to Nevada Current.

Cox's tenure has been marked by legal proceedings. She was indicted in November 2025 on a category D felony charge for allegedly monitoring or attempting to monitor a private conversation, according to Nevada Current. The charge could carry a one-to-four-year sentence. She has pleaded not guilty.

Fellow Councilwoman Monica Larson alleged Cox recorded a private discussion Larson had with two others at Henderson City Hall, according to News 3 Las Vegas. A judge denied Cox's petition to dismiss the charge in February 2026, allowing the case to proceed to trial.

District Judge Nadia Krall granted Cox's attorney's request Oct. 6 to postpone the trial, which was scheduled for Oct. 19, according to the Las Vegas Review-Journal. The trial is now set for Feb. 8, 2027. Prosecutors did not oppose the request, which cited a scheduling conflict; court filings also said the parties were discussing a possible resolution that could avoid a trial.

Separately, the Henderson City Council voted unanimously to censure Cox after the indictment, removing her from several county-wide board seats and limiting her communication with city staff, according to 8 News Now. The council also directed the city attorney to file a complaint with the Nevada Commission on Ethics.

On April 22, the ethics commission's review panel dismissed that complaint, finding the claims "did not establish credible evidence to support a determination that just and sufficient cause exists for an opinion," according to 8 News Now. The commission did issue a letter warning Cox that her conduct implicated ethics law, according to Nevada Current.

Cox characterized the ethics panel's decision as an "exoneration" in a written statement to 8 News Now. The criminal felony charge remained a separate, active matter.

Endorsements

Atlas has been endorsed by the Clark County Democratic Party, the Nevada Association of Public Safety Officers, the Henderson Police Supervisors Association, the AFL-CIO, Culinary Union, SEIU and Teamsters Nevada, according to Nevada Current. The Vegas Chamber also endorsed Atlas for the Ward 3 seat.

Cox is endorsed by the Clark County Republican Party, according to 8 News Now.

Those same police unions sent Cox a cease-and-desist letter in August, telling her to stop using their names and logos in campaign ads, according to Nevada Current. Cox told the outlet a 2022 banner listing those endorsements was mistakenly used at an event and was removed when she realized the error.

Adam Price, described by 8 News Now as the chair of the Henderson Democrats, withdrew his personal endorsement of Atlas on Oct. 25, posting on Instagram that the decision followed "serious concerns regarding Ms. Atlas's political associations during this campaign."

Atlas previously ran for Nevada State Senate District 5 in 2024, losing by seven points, according to Nevada Current. A Ward 3 win would be her first time serving in elected office.