A Democratic candidate for Nevada's third congressional district, Anna Nevenic calls herself the only true progressive in the field, which puts her at exact odds with incumbent John Porter, a staunch Republican running for his third term in office and the man progressives clear across Nevada would most like to give a swift kick to the junk. She believes her independent ideas on health care reform, education reform, women's rights and steadfast environmentalism separate her from the other five Democrats running for the seat, including frontrunner Tessa Hafen. What's for sure is that she is unlike any other candidate, in her origins, her ideas and even her speech, and that she does not have the money and multimedia exposure of leading candidates like Porter. But no worries, she says, because even though those shortcomings might have cost her in 2004, when she ran for the same seat and lost in the primaries, she has learned, and so she now has some new plans to defy the mountainous odds against winning that stand before her.
One thing Nevenic does have on all her competition, however, is an incomparable world perspective, having lived in several countries during her 59 years. She was born in (now former) Yugoslavia, and it was from there that she picked up the Eastern European accent that persists today, even in this interview, in which she provides answers to five questions, and then a few extra tidbits, just for your political delight.
You of course are working on numerous challenges, and there are several more ahead of you. What in your view is the greatest challenge to overcome if you are to be successful in this campaign?
To get people to vote. I've been working hard, day and night, trying to meet as many people as I can—200 a day sometimes—and the people have been very warm to me. They trust me because they know I'm a registered nurse, and they respect me for that, too, and they say to me: "Anna, we agree with you. We agree that there are many problems, and we agree with your solutions."
So I encourage them to network. Most importantly, I encourage them to vote in the primary. That's my challenge: to get people to vote. I know the people are already with me, because a good 80 percent agree with me when I go out and meet them. It's trying to get them up and voting that's hard.
I don't believe money or the media energizes people to go out there and vote. Only spending your time with them will. Meeting them, talking with them. That's what I'm doing, and I think I will win.
You are a nurse, an author, an environmentalist, a peace activist, and above all a mom: It appears as if you, as an individual, are striving to change the world. Are you taking that same mindset into this campaign, which is in many ways a similar endeavor?
Yes, I am. I strongly believe in that, the power of an individual. And that's why I wrote the book [Out of the Shadows]. I think that individuals have the power to make changes for the good; but they need the help of other people, to relay the message. I think it's in the person, but there is also a need for other people to listen and relay the message, to be successful.
Money alone won't do it. I've always refused to take money from special-interest groups, because that's not going to change the world for the good. Last election I refused it, and I still did very well. I came in second place.
Only the power of the individual can do it, provided you go out and meet enough people personally and relay your message. That's why I go to the crowds and talk to the people.
What makes you a progressive?
Because I believe people should be—so long as they are caring and considerate of other people—allowed to live any personal lifestyle they choose. It's irrelevant if they are gay or lesbian or anything they so choose. That's their independent choice.
I also believe separation between church and state is very important. It's crazy, the [right-wing fundamentalism] that the government tries to force on people. Like with sex. Look at teen pregnancies. You don't have that problem in Europe and Australia like you do here. They put their money into sex education, not forced abstinence.
I am for environmental issues, of course. We have to reduce toxins, poisons in the air and land. We have to invest money into alternative energy solutions, reduce demand for oil. I'm convinced the days of gas being $1.50 a gallon are gone. It'll always be over $3 now, and I really think it will be at least $5 one year from now.
And I'm a peace activist. There's no reason at all, in the 21st century, for America to have war. There's no reason we can't avoid violence, talk it out. Diplomacy is a very delicate matter to me.
That's why I'm a progressive.
Let's say I'm an everyday working man, don't know much about politics, just want peace, security and freedom for me and my own. What can you offer me, in specific and tangible terms?
I think it's very important for any candidate to be about health-care reform. Everyone is concerned with health care. We need change. Right now, the influence of money in politics is getting in the way of that, and the people—the politicians—who don't want to see change are taking that money from special-interests groups.
I have been out talking to people, and I have told them I think we need a national health-care program, to provide medical coverage to everyone, and I know how it could be paid for. It would be a solution to the crisis in America now. And they say: "We trust that you will do that, Anna." Eighty percent are with me.
The two most important things are to get rid of high deductibles (that is a big problem in our country), and to get people more preventative care. That's what I tell the people, because I believe it.
From where does your worldview derive?
I'm from the former Yugoslavia. I've lived in Switzerland, Australia and Canada. But for the most time, I've lived in the United States.
I've seen superb education and health-care programs. I've seen how different countries handle these things. And I've seen how many Americans in power care only about money, even if it results in air pollution, higher crime rates than other countries [in which I've lived], and even war. I don't think they are representing America, or Americans at all, like they are supposed to do.