Nevada’s Lee Receives Donation From Corporate Home Buyer

Nevada Rep. Susie Lee is facing criticism after campaign finance records showed she previously accepted a donation from a prominent Wall Street investor whose firm has become a major buyer of single-family homes in Nevada.

Lee, a Democrat representing Nevada’s 3rd Congressional District, has spent recent months raising concerns about corporate investors purchasing residential properties and their potential impact on housing affordability. In June, Lee sent a letter to federal housing regulators calling for greater transparency around out-of-state corporate investors buying homes in Nevada, particularly in fast-growing areas such as the Las Vegas Valley.

However, Federal Election Commission records show Lee received a $2,800 campaign contribution in 2019 from Don Mullen, founder and president of hedge fund Pretium Partners. The firm has grown into one of the nation’s largest investors in single-family rental homes and maintains a significant presence in Nevada, including properties in Clark County.

Corporate-backed homebuyers have drawn increasing scrutiny in Nevada and across the country as housing prices have climbed and first-time buyers report difficulty competing with large investors.

Campaign finance records also show Mullen has donated more than $1.2 million to Democratic political committees, including the Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee (DCCC) and House Majority PAC. Both organizations have supported Lee and other Democratic candidates in competitive congressional races.

Housing affordability has become one of Nevada’s most pressing political issues, particularly in Southern Nevada, where rapid population growth and investor activity have intensified competition for homes.

Corporate investors have purchased thousands of single-family houses in the Las Vegas Valley in recent years, often converting them into rental properties. The trend has drawn criticism from some policymakers and housing advocates who claim it contributes to rising prices and shrinking inventory for prospective homeowners.