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With No D.C. Representation, Virginia and Maryland Senators Step Up for the Capitals

Senators who represent the city built on betting have no one to bet with

Flags of the Las Vegas Golden Knights and soon-to-be Las Vegas Raiders hang in Nevada Sen. Dean Heller’s office in the Hart Building on Monday. (Bill Clark/CQ Roll Call)
Flags of the Las Vegas Golden Knights and soon-to-be Las Vegas Raiders hang in Nevada Sen. Dean Heller’s office in the Hart Building on Monday. (Bill Clark/CQ Roll Call)

Las Vegas loves to gamble, but it’s not so easy for those who represent it this Stanley Cup final.

Members of Congress often make friendly wagers on sports championships, but so far they’ve managed only one bet on the Washington Capitals-Las Vegas Knights series. That’s because there’s only one person who represents D.C.

D.C. Del. Eleanor Holmes Norton made a bet with Rep. Dina Titus when the games kicked off last week. The Capitals are up 3-1 in the best-of-seven series, and if they win Thursday, they will bring home the cup.

With no representation at all in the Senate, surrounding states’ senators are willing to step up.

“Marylanders have been Rocking the Red all season long and are cheering hard for the Caps. I’ve long said that until DC has its own senators, I’m happy to represent them however I can. In this Stanley Cup final, Maryland is definitely #ALLCAPS,” Sen. Benjamin L. Cardin said in a statement.

His colleague, Sen. Chris Van Hollen, taunted Nevada with a Maryland specialty.

“Maryland is all in on the Capitals, and I know this is the year DC is going to break its sports curse! If the Nevada Senators want to make a wager, I’d be happy to put some crab on it,” he said in a statement.

The Capitals’ practice facility, Kettler Capitals Iceplex, is across the Potomac in Arlington, Virginia, and that state’s senators are rooting for D.C.’s team.

“Caps all the way. Let’s bring home the cup to DC (and the Kettler Iceplex in Arlington, VA). Let’s go Caps!!” Sen. Mark Warner said in a statement.

Sen. Tim Kaine showed his excitement before Monday’s game: “I REALLY HOPE THE CAPS WIN TONIGHT. (Is that how this #ALLCAPS thing works?)” 

While the two Nevada senators haven’t made official wagers, Republican Sen. Dean Heller said he would bet against D.C. — or “the Swamp,” as he called it.

Democratic Sen. Catherine Cortez Masto expressed her excitement, but didn’t allude to any betting. 

“Following the tragedy of the Las Vegas shooting, the Golden Knights gave our community hope,” she said in a statement. “I am proud to support the Knights in what has truly been an inspiring season.”

In the House, Rep. Jacky Rosen also referenced the Oct. 1 shooting. 

“The Golden Knights went above and beyond and brought our community together, bringing special meaning to the phrase ‘Vegas Strong,’” she said in a statement.

Democratic Rep. Ruben Kihuen, who represents parts of Las Vegas, is backing Titus in her bet with Norton.

“I understand that Rep. Titus and Rep. Holmes Norton have a friendly wager between them on whether the Golden Knights or the Capitals are going to take home the Stanley Cup. I’m not much of a better, but this is a no-brainer,” he said in a statement. “My money is with Dina and the Golden Knights.”

 

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