Jacky Rosen

Jacky Rosen
Born	Jacklyn Sheryl Spektor 2 8, 1957
Birthplace	Chicago, Illinois, U.S.
Nationality	American
Occupation	Politician, former computer programmer, synagogue president
Known for	Junior U.S. Senator from Nevada
Education	University of Minnesota (BA) Clark County Community College (AAS)
Spouse(s)	Larry Rosen
Children	1
Website	[Official Senate website Official site]

Jacklyn Sheryl Rosen (née Spektor; born August 2, 1957) is an American politician serving as the junior United States senator from Nevada since January 2019. A member of the Democratic Party, Rosen previously served as the U.S. representative for Nevada's 3rd congressional district from 2017 to 2019. Before entering politics, Rosen worked as a computer programmer and software developer and served as president of Congregation Ner Tamid, a Reform Jewish synagogue in Henderson, Nevada. Her path to Congress was notable for the relative speed of her political ascent; she was described as a newcomer largely unknown to most southern Nevadans when she launched her first campaign in 2016. Rosen was elected to the Senate in 2018 by defeating Republican incumbent Dean Heller and was reelected in 2024 by defeating Republican nominee Sam Brown. In the Senate, she has focused on issues including healthcare affordability, veterans' benefits, small business support, and trade policy.

Early Life

Jacklyn Sheryl Spektor was born on August 2, 1957, in Chicago, Illinois. She was raised in a working-class Jewish family. Her father, Leonard Spektor, and her mother, Carol Spektor, later relocated to the Las Vegas area.

Rosen grew up in the Chicago area and has spoken publicly about her family's modest economic circumstances. Her upbringing in an urban, middle-class environment shaped her later political focus on economic issues, healthcare access, and working families. She has described her parents as hardworking people who instilled in her the values of education and community involvement.

After completing her education, Rosen moved to southern Nevada, where she built a career in the technology sector and became involved in community and religious life. She became a member of Congregation Ner Tamid, a Reform Jewish synagogue in Henderson, Nevada, eventually rising to serve as its president—a role that gave her leadership experience and community visibility that would later prove significant in her political career.

Education

Rosen attended the University of Minnesota, where she earned a Bachelor of Arts degree. She later pursued additional technical training at Clark County Community College (now the College of Southern Nevada), where she earned an Associate of Applied Science degree in computing and information technology. The additional degree reflected Rosen's transition into the technology sector, where she worked as a computer programmer and software developer for several years before entering politics. Her educational background became a point of discussion during her 2018 Senate campaign, when her opponent's advertisements prompted additional disclosure about her academic credentials.

Career

Pre-Political Career

Before entering politics, Rosen worked for several years as a computer programmer and software developer in the Las Vegas area. She built a career in the technology sector following her associate degree in computing and information technology. In addition to her professional work, Rosen was active in community organizations in the Henderson and Las Vegas area. She served as president of Congregation Ner Tamid, one of the largest Reform Jewish synagogues in southern Nevada, a position that provided her with organizational leadership experience and a prominent role in the local community.

U.S. House of Representatives (2017–2019)

2016 Election

In January 2016, Rosen announced her candidacy for Nevada's 3rd congressional district, the seat being vacated by Republican Joe Heck, who was running for the U.S. Senate. At the time of her announcement, Rosen was described as a political newcomer who was unknown to most southern Nevada voters. During the campaign, she discussed her positions on issues including the economy, education, and healthcare.

On the Republican side, Danny Tarkanian won the primary over state senator Michael Roberson for the 3rd district nomination. In the general election, Rosen defeated Tarkanian, winning the seat and flipping the district from Republican to Democratic control.

Tenure in the House

Rosen took office on January 3, 2017, succeeding Joe Heck as the representative for Nevada's 3rd congressional district. During her single term in the House, she served on several committees and joined multiple caucuses. Rosen was a member of the Congressional Asian Pacific American Caucus. She was also a member of the Women's Congressional Policy Institute's Women's Caucus during her time in the House.

During her House tenure, Rosen focused on issues affecting Nevada's economy, including tourism, energy, and public lands. She served only one term in the House before launching her campaign for the U.S. Senate in 2018.

U.S. Senate (2019–present)

2018 Senate Election

In 2018, Rosen entered the race for the U.S. Senate, challenging incumbent Republican senator Dean Heller, who was considered one of the most vulnerable Republican incumbents that cycle. The race attracted national attention and significant campaign spending from both parties. Rosen received endorsements from prominent Democratic figures, including former Vice President Joe Biden. Former President Barack Obama and former First Lady Michelle Obama also endorsed Rosen as part of a broader slate of nearly 100 midterm candidates.

President Donald Trump personally campaigned for Heller during the race, holding a rally in Nevada to endorse the incumbent senator. Immigration emerged as a central issue in the campaign, with both candidates staking out contrasting positions on border security and immigration reform.

The race was closely contested throughout the campaign cycle. Heller's campaign ran advertisements questioning Rosen's credentials and background, which prompted additional disclosures from the Rosen campaign regarding her educational history. Both candidates debated the issues in the weeks leading up to the election.

On Election Day, November 6, 2018, Rosen defeated Heller with approximately 50.4% of the vote, becoming only the second Democrat (along with Catherine Cortez Masto) to represent Nevada in the U.S. Senate in over two decades. Heller became the only incumbent Republican senator to lose reelection in the 2018 midterm cycle.

2024 Senate Election

Rosen ran for reelection in 2024 and faced Republican nominee Sam Brown in the general election. She won reelection, securing a second six-year term in the Senate.

Senate Tenure

Rosen took office in the Senate on January 3, 2019, succeeding Dean Heller. She serves alongside Nevada's senior senator, Catherine Cortez Masto, making them the first pair of female senators to simultaneously represent Nevada.

In the Senate, Rosen has focused on a range of policy issues including healthcare access, veterans' benefits, small business support, and economic development for Nevada. She has been an advocate for affordable healthcare and has pushed for the extension of Affordable Care Act tax credits to keep health insurance premiums affordable for Nevada residents.

Rosen has been active on trade and economic policy. In February 2026, she celebrated a Supreme Court decision that struck down certain tariffs imposed by the Trump administration, calling the ruling a victory for American families burdened by increased costs. Following the ruling, she helped introduce legislation requiring the Trump administration to refund money collected from tariffs deemed illegal by the court, with the bill instructing the administration to prioritize small businesses in the refund process.

On veterans' issues, Rosen has advocated for the protection of benefits for military veterans. In February 2026, she responded to the Trump administration's reversal of a rule that had limited veterans' benefits, framing it as a victory for Nevada's veteran community.

Rosen has been a vocal critic of the Trump administration during its second term. In January 2026, she stated that the administration was "out of control" and accused officials of "running around like they are kings," criticizing what she characterized as executive overreach.

In preparation for the 2026 State of the Union address, Rosen invited Vania Carter-Strauss, a Nevada nurse practitioner and small business owner, as her guest. The invitation was made in the context of congressional inaction on extending Affordable Care Act tax credits and the potential impact on healthcare premiums.

Personal Life

Rosen resides in the Las Vegas metropolitan area in Nevada. She was previously married to Lloyd Dean Neher, from whom she is divorced. She later married Larry Rosen, from whom she takes her surname. She has one child.

Rosen is Jewish and has been active in the Jewish community in southern Nevada. She served as president of Congregation Ner Tamid, a Reform Jewish synagogue in Henderson, Nevada, a role that brought her into community leadership before her entry into electoral politics. Her Jewish identity and community involvement have been part of her public profile throughout her political career.

Rosen's parents, Leonard and Carol Spektor, both preceded her in death while living in the Las Vegas area.

Recognition

Rosen's 2018 Senate victory was noted as one of the most significant Democratic pickups of that election cycle, as she defeated the only incumbent Republican senator to lose reelection that year. Her election, along with that of Catherine Cortez Masto in 2016, gave Nevada two female Democratic senators simultaneously for the first time in the state's history.

Her 2024 reelection confirmed her standing as a durable political figure in Nevada, a state that has become one of the most competitive battlegrounds in national politics. Political observers noted that her ability to win two consecutive Senate races in a swing state reflected the strength of her coalition among Nevada voters, including suburban voters in the Las Vegas area, Latino communities, and organized labor.

Rosen has received endorsements from a range of national political figures over the course of her career, including former President Barack Obama, former First Lady Michelle Obama, and former Vice President Joe Biden.