In this age of internet misinformation and AI, it can be difficult to know what sources of information you can trust. Yet as voters consider their choices for everything from local school board and city council to representatives in Congress, having access to trustworthy information is more important than ever.
That’s why we have teamed up with our partners on the Las Vegas Sun editorial team to offer our recommendations in select races (not all races include an endorsement), with clear explanations of our standards and rationale where necessary.
While not an exhaustive list, in general we considered candidates who: (1) Acted with integrity and human decency in the public sphere—being honest, consistent and forthright about their beliefs while rejecting calls for political violence and intimidation; (2) Displayed a knowledge of issues affecting Nevadans and solutions that went beyond vague platitudes such as “defend freedom,” “promote jobs” or “improve safety”; (3) Had experience, expertise or education in the skills needed to be effective in the office they were seeking; and (4) Demonstrated at least some willingness to think independently and challenge their own political party and/or the status quo of political leadership in the U.S., in Nevada and/or in their local community.
Take note—we did not need to agree with all aspects of what a candidate might propose in order to consider them for endorsement. We did, however, need to believe that they take the responsibility of governance and the idea of verifiable or scientific fact seriously. We needed to know that they understood that their decisions could impact the entire state of Nevada or indeed the nation as a whole. And we needed to be able to identify some form of experience, education, or expertise that would lead us to believe they could be successful on day one, because Nevada cannot afford to have leaders in training.
The goal of a primary is to identify the most qualified candidates in a given race to articulate their views on what we need to do with a given office or scope of endeavor. That dialogue will arm the voters to make the final selection in the general election.
KEY: Candidates in bold are our endorsed candidates. Candidates with an asterisk (*) are incumbents.
U.S. House of Representatives
District 1
Democratic primary
Titus, Dina*
Cornejo, Gabriel
Hoover, Joy
Paniagua, Luis
Dina Titus has spent more than three decades fighting for working families and is among the most effective legislators at delivering real results for Nevada. She understands the challenges facing our communities because she has always stayed connected to the people she serves, frequently traveling between Las Vegas and Washington, D.C. to attend community events in person. In short, Titus’ accessibility, independence and long record of public service continue to make her a trusted and effective representative for Southern Nevada families and businesses alike. She has earned the respect and support of her colleagues and of this magazine.
District 1
Republican primary
No endorsement
Arnold, Marie Encar
Blockey, Jim
Boris, Michael
Buck, Carrie Ann
Saga, Rick “Indicted”
It’s a sad commentary on the state of the Republican Party, but none of the GOP candidates for Congressional District 1 met even our most basic requirements to be considered for an endorsement.
District 3
Democratic primary
Lee, Susie*
Lally, James A.
Robinson, Terrill
West, Brandon
We weren’t thrilled with Lee’s recent decision to drop F-bombs all over her social media accounts. But of all the bombs being dropped by American political leaders these days, Lee’s are the least dangerous. Moreover, her unfortunate choice of language doesn’t change the fact that Lee is the type of moderate consensus builder that can get things done even when the opposition party has unified control of Congress, the White House and the courts. Her simultaneous membership in the pro-business New Democratic Coalition and the pro-social justice Equality Caucus provide a road map for a new generation of Democrats.
District 3
Republican primary
Nagy, Aury
Anderson, Tera
Gunter, Jeff
O’Donnell, Marty
Dr. Aury Nagy is a neurosurgeon, small business owner and the founder of the White Coat Party, a bipartisan group of researchers, doctors and other health care professionals committed to advocating for legislation that values patients over profits and improves healthcare in Nevada. He also founded the Nevada Nutrition Coalition, a nonprofit focused on improving nutrition in Nevada’s schools by providing access to delicious foods designed by expert chefs using fresh ingredients. He supports the social dignity and legal rights of LGBTQ+ people and believes it may be necessary to raise certain taxes to help fund Medicaid. While there are many things we don’t agree with him on, we believe his devotion to science, his willingness to challenge the party line, and his seemingly genuine desire to improve the lives of Nevadans is admirable and worthy of our endorsement.
District 4
Republican primary
No endorsement
Whipple, Cody K.
Kennedy, Ronda
Snowden, Anthony D.
We had originally planned to endorse Cody Whipple, a rancher, conservationist and entrepreneur who appears to bear the brand of an older, more nuanced style of conservativism that we have said we would like to see more often. Unfortunately, he and his family live in Summerlin, but he changed his voter registration and filed for his candidacy as a resident of Hiko, where his weekend ranch is located. While not illegal, these types of residency games make us question Whipple’s honesty and integrity.
State races
Governor
Democratic primary
Ford, Aaron D.
Arterburn, Sunshine
Bayfield, Miqehl
Bouari, Emile
Cooper, James
Hill, Alexis
As Nevada’s Attorney General and former State Senate Majority Leader, Aaron Ford has built a strong record of protecting working families, strengthening public safety and standing up for consumers. He has led efforts to combat opioid abuse, fight fraud and organized retail theft, and to defend reproductive rights and voting rights. He is a steady, experienced leader who can deliver results, protect Nevada’s future, and continue building an economy that works for all Nevadans.
Governor
Republican primary
Lombardo, Joseph*
Beaudry, Jr., Donald J. “Donald Jr.”
Hansen, Irina
Hawkins, M. Kameron
Winterhawk, Matthew R.
Zelaya, Jose M.
Zilberberg, Barak
In the past, we have criticized Joe Lombardo for lying to survivors of the October 1, 2017 massacre on the Strip. He told them that he would support basic regulations on weapons of war, only to turn his back and veto reasonable bills that were directly tied to preventing a repeat of that tragedy. The gun control measures were among the 162 bills that Lombardo has vetoed—a record for a single Nevada governor’s term. Given this history, we continue to have concerns that he is too calculating and willing to bend to conservative dogma. And yet, we must give credit where credit is due. Lombardo has also demonstrated that he is a competent leader who is both willing and able to work across party lines and who takes the responsibilities of governance seriously. In this regard he has not only allayed the worst of our fears but has established himself as a candidate worthy of serious consideration.
Lt. Governor
Democratic primary
Jauregui, Sandra
Burke, Courtney
Scheiner, Bridget N.“BridgieNix”
After a decade in the State Assembly, Jauregui has proven to be one of Nevada’s most effective advocates for public safety and a stronger, more diversified economy. These are important qualities for a candidate for Lt. Governor, a role that sits on the Board of Economic Development, the Executive Branch Audit Committee and the Commission on Homeland Security, as well as chairing the Commission on Tourism and the Advisory Board on Outdoor Recreation.
With that said, one of Jauregui’s opponents, Bridget “BridgieNix” Scheiner, is carrying the torch for an important and too often overlooked constituency in Nevada—the thousands of entertainers, performers, artists, production experts and technicians who, along with hospitality workers, create the truly unique experiences that define so much of Nevada’s tourism sector. While we do not believe Scheiner is the best choice for Lt. Governor, we hope that her message, policy insights, and constituency will not be forgotten in Carson City.
Secretary of State
Republican primary
Folkins-Roberts, Shirley A.
Angle, Sharron
Keenan, Socorro
Marchant, Jim
Shirley Folkins-Roberts is the only candidate in this race who appears to care about good governance and administering fair elections. In fact, many of her policy proposals echo the Democratic incumbent, Cisco Aguilar.
Attorney General
Democratic Primary
Conine, Zach
Cannizzaro, Nicole Jeanette
It is unfortunate that Nevada has two really good candidates in this race and so many unqualified people in so many others. As the first woman to serve as Majority Leader of the Nevada State Senate, there is no question that Nicole Cannizzaro is an effective leader who is committed to serving the people of Nevada. However, her opponent, Zach Conine, is among the most intelligent, thoughtful and capable leaders we have encountered. As treasurer, Conine was objectively good at his job, leading Nevada to its highest credit rating in state history. Moreover, Conine’s excitement doesn’t seem to come from his personal success, it comes from seeing his relentless advocacy transform the lives of Nevadans for the better. For these reasons we believe he will find even more success as Attorney General, and we offer him our strongest possible endorsement.
Attorney General
Republican primary
No Endorsement
Guzmán Fralick, Adriana
Tarkanian, Danny
There was a time when Danny Tarkanian could have been described as an independent thinker who was willing to challenge the party line, but no more. Both candidates have endorsed morally bankrupt and discriminatory policies that actively violate civil rights—positions that are disqualifying for any candidate for the office of Attorney General.
Controller
Democratic primary
Blackstock, Robert K. “Bob”
MacDougall, Michael
Tolle, Robert “Bob”
State Treasurer
Democratic primary
Mathis-Coleman, Tya
Dalia, Joe
Maharjan, Jay
Mathis-Coleman has served as Deputy State Treasurer for years. She knows the job and has proven that she can do it, earning the respect and endorsement of the outgoing Treasurer, Zach Conine.
State Treasurer
Republican primary
Carter, Jeff
Johnson, Drew
Carter understands that the role of Treasurer “is inherently nonpartisan—it’s about finance, not politics.” His opponent, on the other hand, proudly touts divisive endorsements from partisan extremists.
Nevada Legislature
Senate District 2
Democratic primary
Barron, Isaac
Flores, Edgar*
Edgar Flores has served the second district admirably for more than a decade, but a recent DUI has shaken our confidence in him. Isaac Barron, a North Las Vegas city councilman since 2013, has no such clouds hanging over his candidacy.
Senate District 8
Republican primary
No endorsement
Chavez, Laz
Harris, George E.
Senate District 21
Democratic primary
James Ohrenschall*
Romero, Junior
Assembly District 1
Democratic primary
Cato, Jo
DeSalvio, Louis “Big Lou”
Esparza, Alexis Elizabeth
Fennell, Jr., James
Gledhill, Millan “Mack”
Jo Cato has a proven track record of success in almost everything she does. The self-made CEO and Southern Nevada chapter president of the National Association of Women Business Owners, Cato is a giant in the world of business advocacy.
Assembly District 2
Democratic primary
Bywaters, Kamilah & Kung, Mike (dual endorsement)
Bywaters is a prominent and outspoken advocate for youth and education—a voice that is sorely needed in the legislature of a state that consistently ranks near the bottom in K-12 public education. Kung is a retired FBI agent whose knowledge of human trafficking, drug trafficking, gang violence and other complex challenges that plague Nevada is without equal. Both would be tremendous assets in Carson City.
Assembly District 3
Republican primary
No endorsement
Erbacher, Harold
Silvestri, Joseph P.
Assembly District 5
Republican primary
No endorsement
Dowden, Joshua
Quinn, Kelly
Assembly District 6
Democratic primary
Jackson, Jovan Alexander*
Candido, Douglas
In his freshman term, Jackson proved that he is a serious policymaker. Five of the eight bills he primarily sponsored made it to the governor’s desk.
Assembly District 8
Democratic primary
Nguyen, Duy*
Cook, Sr., Paul John
Assembly District 8
Republican primary
Charafi, Joseph “Joey”
Farrakhan, David
Assembly District 9
Democratic primary
Hampton, Ryan
Hank, Maria Teresa
Assembly District 9
Republican primary
No endorsement
Neely, Erica Alejandra
Orozco, Cristhian
Assembly District 10
Democratic primary
Karris, Venise L.*
Thomason, Val
Assembly District 15
Democratic primary
Watts, Howard* & Davila, Miguel (dual endorsement)
Howard Watts is an outstanding legislator who has done nothing to deserve to lose his seat in the Assembly. With that said, Miguel Davila is a rare example of a candidate who has found a balance between big ideas fueled by youthful optimism and a grounded sense of pragmatism. We hope that they will find a way to work together to advocate for the people of District 15 and the state of Nevada, regardless of who wins.
Assembly District 16
Democratic primary
González, Cecelia*
Chase, Eva Olivia
Assembly District 17
Democratic primary
Hunt, Linda F.*
Smith, Robert “RC”
Assembly District 18
Democratic primary
Considine, Venicia*
Brown, Antario “Iron Tiger”
Assembly District 19
Republican primary
Patchett, Jason*
Groves, Amy
Assembly District 20
Democratic primary
Orentlicher, David*
Smith, Tony T.
Assembly District 22
Democratic primary
Booth, Shenea
Hernandez, Dionisio C. “Daniel”
Taylor, Tamara N.
Assembly District 29
Democratic primary
Combs, Brad
Delobel, Ashley R.
Pereszlenyi, Alex J.
Assembly District 3
Democratic primary
Nadeem, Hanadi*
Navarro, Shaun R.
Assembly District 41
Democratic primary
Spotleson, Vinny
Ridenour, Spencer L.
Wyett, Gabriela
Assembly District 41
Republican primary
Alofipo, Tofuola “Tofu”
Chapman, Kelly
Assembly District 42
Democratic primary
Brown-May, Tracy*
Vasquez, Dayton
Assembly District 42
Republican primary
No endorsement
Brandlin, Christopher
Ivanoff, Katrin “Mrs. Fix it”
Local races
Board of Regents, Nevada System of Higher Education (nonpartisan)
District 2
Villa, Patrick L.
McGrath, Jennifer*
Cain, Hunter
Chambers, Dylan L.
Governor Lombardo should be ashamed and embarrassed for appointing MAGA lawyer Jennifer McGrath to fill the seat of such a staunch education advocate like Lois Tarkanian. Voters can correct that error by advancing Patrick Villa. A professor of mathematics at the College of Southern Nevada for more than twenty years, Villa has held several leadership roles and has an insider’s understanding of the changing face of college campuses.
District 5
Denis, Moises “Mo” & Molina, Stephanie (dual endorsement)
Boylan, Patrick J.*
Cavalaro, Kathleen
DeLorenzo, Tyler
Garcia, Ashley K.
As the former Nevada Senate Pro Tem, Mo Denis has extensive knowledge and experience in the state budgeting process and the politics surrounding higher education funding streams. Stephanie Molina has experience working in higher education and workforce development—a critical need among NSHE graduates. Both would be a vast improvement on Boylan, who should have resigned two years ago after referring to transgender people as “men, masquerading as women.” If that weren’t bad enough, he admitted that he knew so little about the topic that he wasn’t even familiar with the term “transgender.” Publicly commenting on a topic you know nothing about is the antithesis of what education is supposed to be about—questioning assumptions and engaging in rigorous study before coming to a conclusion.
District 8
Goicoechea, Pete* & Talib-deen, K. (dual endorsement)
Lane, Lori
Miller, Karmen La’Shaun
Goicoechea is an experienced leader and self-described “conventional” Republican. He has extensive knowledge of Nevada’s higher education system and the state’s budgeting process. Talib-deen would bring experience that is unique among the Regents but is familiar to many of the system’s students—the journey from wayward teen to successful adult. Both candidates would be an asset to NSHE and we hope that both of their voices will be welcomed regardless of who is ultimately victorious.
Clark County Commission
District E
Democratic primary
Segerblom, “Tick”*
Hernandez, Marco
District E
Republican primary
Kess, Manny
Hamilton, Eduardo “EeeTee”
Rose, Randolph
District F
Democratic primary
Yan, Minja
Crawford, Sebastian
Hovanessian, Lenna
Kumar, Serena
Lieberknecht, Justin D.
Lloyd, Minddie
Wall, Michael Robert
Minja Yan is a rare candidate who demonstrates an impressive understanding of not only the issues facing Clark County but also the actual power she will have as a commissioner to address them. Her knowledge, maturity and nuance help explain her sprawling and diverse collection of endorsements.
District F
Republican primary
Mack, Albert
Kasama, Heidi
While we question whether Albert Mack understands that government is not a for-profit business, does not have the same goals as a for-profit business, and thus cannot simply be “run like a business,” we believe he is genuinely focused on good governance that effectively and efficiently serves the people of Nevada. This stands in sharp contrast to his opponent, who has abandoned a once-laudable record of independent thinking and good governance in favor of pathetic efforts to prove that she is conservative enough for the era of Donald Trump.
District G
Democratic primary
Gibson, Jim*
Solomon, Christian
District G
Republican primary
Henderson, Leo “The Diesel”
Maxham, Jon
Leo Henderson is a rare Republican that appreciates the value of collective bargaining and supports the rights of labor unions. While we may not agree with all his policy positions, he is a welcome voice in the GOP and deserving of our endorsement.
Clark County Partisan Offices
County Assessor
Democratic primary
Martinet, Melissa
Washington, Tamicka N.
County Assessor
Republican primary
No endorsement
Child, Kevin L.
Joe, Judy
County Clerk
Democratic primary
Goya, Lynn Marie*
Miller, Jeff
County Recorder
Democratic primary
Flanagan, Tanya
Berry Burress, Skye
Perez, Anna L.
County Recorder
Republican primary
No endorsement
Saeed, Rana
Young, Bill
Public Administrator
Democratic primary
Itkin-Goodman, Stephanie
Ivy, M.J.
Velazquez, Edgar
If even a small percentage of the accusations levied against M.J. Ivy are true, then we question his judgment and fitness for public office. Similarly, Edgar Velazquez’s suspension last year—from serving as the administrator of some two dozen estates over accusations of self-dealing—are inexcusable.
Fortunately, Stephanie Itkin-Goodman has a flawless record as a deputy attorney general in Nevada and Assistant District Attorney in Bronx County, New York. As a licensed attorney, she has the experience, legal expertise and professional judgment needed to negotiate complex estates and significant financial assets in manner that conveys trust, clarity professionalism and compassion during a time of loss.
Public Administrator
Republican primary
Murphy, Michael
Salazar, Donald
Sprinkle, Mark J.
Michael Murphy is a former law enforcement officer and Clark County Coroner, so he is no stranger to working with families who are dealing with the death of a loved one. He also has significant experience in the Public Administrator’s office, having stepped in to fill the role of Administrator for 11 months following the arrest of Robert Telles on murder charges. He is eminently qualified.
Board of Trustees Clark County School District (nonpartisan)
Much like Nevada’s educational system, the board of the Clark County School District needs an overhaul. Too often, the current board has been marred by conflict, turmoil, and a lack of professionalism that is unacceptable and unjustified—even during a pandemic. The endorsements below reflect our desire to return to a functioning school board with greater competence, professionalism, and empathy.
District F
Bustamante Adams, Irene* & Hutchinson, Robert E. (dual endorsement)
Neely, Laurence M.
Irene Bustamante Adams is an incumbent who has performed beyond expectations and earned our respect and the respect of her colleagues. She has brought a greater sense of peace and efficiency within the school board while building stronger relationships with the stakeholders including parents and teacher organizations.
With that said, CCSD still has a long way to go.
As CCSD’s Director of Facilities, Robert Hutchinson brings an insider’s perspective into one of the most complex and expensive aspects of the district’s operations: its facilities. Add to that his steadfast advocacy for education in the trades and we believe Hutchinson should advance to general election with Bustamante Adams, giving each of them a greater opportunity to differentiate themselves and share their vision for CCSD’s future.
City races
Las Vegas City Council Ward 2
Booker, Marilyn
McCarthy, Luke
Nordstrom, Shannon
Las Vegas City Council Ward 6
Brune, Nancy
Grammas, Steve
Marlon, David
City of Henderson Mayor
Romero, Michelle* & Price, Adam (dual endorsement)
Chadwick, Hollie
Ramirez, Andrew “Your Boy Rue”
Scorsetti, Angeles
Henderson City Council Ward 3
Atlas, Jennifer & Owens, Annette Dawson (dual endorsement)
Cox, Carrie
Hood, Leroy
City of North Las Vegas Mayor
Monroe-Moreno, Daniele
Black, Scott
Bouchard, Gary
Langdon, Zaire
Thorns, Henry
North Las Vegas City Council Ward 1
Villeda, Esmeralda
Ramirez, Diana
Strothers, Sherry
North Las Vegas City Council Ward 3
Zeiler, Ida
Robinson II, William E.
