(The Center Square) – Nevada’s lower house has 11 new faces this legislative session with one district flipping Republican. Here are the newcomers to Nevada’s 42-seat State Assembly:
District 4
Republican Lisa Cole won the District 4 seat with 54.38% of the vote, beating out Democrat Ryan Hampton.
Cole has worked as a business owner and a lawyer and is now pursuing politics for the first time. Cole’s priorities include protecting the governor’s power to veto legislation, creating jobs, supporting police officers, keeping taxes low, limiting the state’s power to enact water law and creating a better environment for the workforce – fewer regulations, increased housing and more opportunities.
District 6
Democrat Jovan Jackson overwhelmingly beat out his Republican candidate Khaliki Oliva with 69.91% of the votes.
Jackson’s main priority in the legislature is to protect and increase health services, including mental health due to his own experiences. He started his own business providing mental health and social services before suffering his own mental health crisis due to substance abuse resulting in a two-year prison sentence. Jackson rehabilitated and became a wildfire firefighter before being diagnosed with stage three cancer which he recently overcame.
“My health challenges motivated me to become an advocate,” reads Jackson’s campaign website. “To support those with mental health conditions, I created a housing program for individuals receiving disability benefits. I will continue to champion the mental health community throughout my lifelong journey.”
District 7
Democrat Tanya Flanagan won District 7’s open seat uncontested. Flanagan has also run on a health care-focused platform. More specifically, women’s health care.
“I’m running for Nevada State Legislature to make sure that health care, and particularly women’s health care, has a strong voice in the State Assembly,” reads Flanagan’s campaign website. “I know how much we need to improve our healthcare system, and I will work tirelessly to ensure we improve health outcomes for Nevadans, regardless of their zip code.”
District 10
Democratic candidate Venise Karris won the election with 64.56% of the vote, beating out Green Party candidate Sean Moore, claiming District 10’s vacant seat.
Karris is recently retired and her main priority is to “secure the middle class.”
“Together we can raise our quality of life and I will work tirelessly as your next Assemblywoman to make that future a reality,” reads her campaign website.
District 11
Democrat Cinthia Moore beat out Republican Jeffrey Lustick by almost 70% of the votes.
“It’s truly an honor to be elected to represent my neighbors in Carson City,” reads a post by Moore on X. “AD11 is where I grew up, and where I am raising my son. I will continue to fight for our working families and immigrant community who are not just the backbone of AD11, but also our state.”
District 17
Democrat Linda Hunt won the election with 64.70% of the vote, beating Republican Robert Olson.
“We did it,” reads a post on X by Hunt. “Thank you to my #AD17 neighbors for putting your trust in me to represent you in #nvleg! I will be fighting for you on affordable housing, safe communities, good schools, and other issues important to working families!”
District 24
Democrat Erica Roth won District 24’s seat, with almost 65% of the vote over Republican Teri Kolesnick.
Roth has worked throughout her career serving Nevada as a civil rights attorney, legal aid attorney and public defender. During this time, Roth drafted the 2022 Executive Order protecting abortion providers, non-profits, patients and women in Nevada the day Roe v. Wade was overturned.
She has also fought to protect consumers from predatory corporations, tenants from unjust treatment and help those suffering from mental illness find comprehensive care. These same priorities will transfer to her agenda in the legislature.
District 27
Democrat Heather Goulding obtained approximately 55% of the vote over Republican Carmen Ortiz.
Goulding has worked in community service for over 20 years in Northern Nevada, providing funding for breast cancer services to uninsured women and establishing a high school dropout recovery program. She also collaborated with the legislature to pass SB 295 which established the Battle Born Youth Challenge Academy.
District 29
Democrat Joe Dalia narrowly defeated Republican Annette Owens with 52% of the vote.
Dalia’s priorities include funding education in order to improve Nevada’s quality of education and recruit more teachers, supporting small businesses and improving Nevada’s economy.
District 34
Democrat Hanadi Nadeem was able to win District 34’s seat with 53.25% of the vote over Republican Brandon Davis.
Nadeem has run a healthcare business, helping people who are uninsured or underinsured. Her priorities include protecting reproductive rights, funding education, reducing gun violence, expanding access to healthcare, reducing housing contests and protecting the environment.
District 35
Republican Rebecca Edgeworth flipped District 35 red with 54.32% of the vote over Democrat Sharifa Wahab.
Edgeworth is a professor and medical director for Touro University and understands the importance of healthcare.
“In response to the region’s challenges during the COVID-19 pandemic, Dr. Edgeworth emerged as an indispensable asset,” reads her campaign website. “Volunteering tireless hours, she provided critical care to underserved communities and those affected by the pandemic, all the while imparting invaluable lessons of leadership and collaboration to her students.”
In addition to healthcare, Edgeworth’s priorities include quality education, a stable business climate, community safety, accessible and affordable healthcare and government accountability.
