Nevada's 5th Senate district

In the 2016 Democratic primary, incumbent Joyce Woodhouse faced Nicholas Lash, a political newcomer who claimed senator and presidential candidate Bernie Sanders as his inspiration. Lash said he wouldn't accept any campaign donations, as he wanted "to prove Bernie's point about taking the money out of politics." He called Woodhouse an "establishment candidate," and said he would, if elected, press for the establishment of a single-payer health care system and education reforms. Woodhouse, meanwhile, said she was "really proud" of the progress the legislature had made on education funding, and promised to focus on education and child care regulations if elected to another term.[8] Woodhouse defeated Lash with over 80% of the vote.[9]

Woodhouse faced Republican Carrie Buck and Libertarian Tim Hagan in the general election. Woodhouse maintained her focus on education, while Buck, a charter school director, attacked Woodhouse's education record and called her part of the "status quo." Hagan, meanwhile, said he wanted to "give voters another choice," and said he would push for a tax reduction and for the expansion of school choice.[8] Woodhouse out-raised Buck $500,000 to $140,000, and defeated her by less than one percentage point.[10][11]

In 2012, Democratic former state senator Joyce Woodhouse faced Republican Steve Kirk, who had previously defeated Annette Teijeiro in the Republican primary.[12] Kirk, a 12-year Henderson City Councilman, supported Governor Brian Sandoval's tax increase in order to preserve the education budget, while Teijeiro insisted on decreasing taxes.[13] With the endorsement of the Senate Republican Caucus, Kirk won the primary with over 70% of the vote.[14]

Woodhouse, who had previously lost re-election to the state senate in 2010, argued that the state needed legislators "who are looking out for middle-class working families," and emphasized the economy and education. Kirk, meanwhile, argued that the state government needed more private-sector experience. Both candidates said they considered themselves moderates, although Kirk also called himself "very conservative fiscally."[15] Woodhouse ultimately won the election by around four points.[16]