Northern Nevada is watching the state senate races for districts 13 and 15. Our News Director Michelle Billman spoke to political analyst Fred Lokken to break down those races.
KUNR: I want to start with district 15. We’ve got Democrat Devon Reese, a Reno lawyer, running against Republican Heidi Gansert and Libertarian David Colborne. What do we know about these candidates?
FL: The focus in that race has, of course, been on Heidi Gansert, who had a stellar career in the state legislature, went on from that with service in the executive and, then, has found herself at the University of Nevada. You hate to say anyone is sort of in the driver’s seat, but there’s been a really strong feeling that Heidi is in an excellent position to win this race.
For others, they’re up against the name recognition and the ability to raise money. And she was a phenomenal fundraiser as well, so it’ll be the one to watch, and, frankly, if she doesn’t do well, that would be the shock of the evening in Northern Nevada. Out of all the races in play, there is such an anticipation that she will walk away with this district.
KUNR: Could her ties to Governor Brian Sandoval, you mentioned she was his chief of staff for a while, hurt her among some Republican voters who are maybe still unhappy with the tax package he presented?
FL: Well, it could, but we will certainly be watching the results generally across the state on November 8 to see if there was any real penalty for that because there was certainly the threat of that. But the test was really in the primary in June, and Brian Sandoval had promised outstanding support to those who were willing to stand for him in 2015. He helped raise money, he certainly gave them his endorsement, he arranged for some others to campaign on his behalf, and they did remarkably well in the June primary.
So I think as we get farther away from the 2015 session, there’s some of that that fades. Invariably, there’s someone who is probably still mad about that as a voter.
KUNR: Now moving to District 13…that seat has been vacant since Senator Debbie Smith passed away. Smith’s family asked Democratic Sparks Councilwoman Julia Ratti to run for the seat and she’s facing Republican Kent Bailey and Libertarian Brandon Jacobs, both political newcomers. What are you expecting for that race?
FL: This is a district that is clearly a Democratic district. You know that Debbie was highly successful in this district. Although we’re saddened by her loss, this notion of a legacy has motivated an outstanding ground game of door-to-door with the support of pretty much the operations that had been there for Debbie Smith. That, coupled with her name recognition, having served in Sparks for so long and her community activity, puts her in an excellent position.
So kind of like the first situation with Heidi Gansert, this is another one that, although we’re certainly watching it closely, there’s an excellent heir apparent that the challengers are going to be hard-bent to be able to defeat. I think that would be the other surprise in the North, is if for some reason Ratti did not win that race.
KUNR: Looking beyond individual races at the state level, what’s a stake here this time around for Nevada voters?
FL: Well, we know a lot is at stake. This will be the last session for Governor Brian Sandoval. We had, certainly, the discussion of a tax increase in 2015, but I think we’re coming into a legislative session where our financial future is still not secure for the state of Nevada. We are aware that budgets have been requested to be submitted with 5-10 percent reductions. There have been some rumors that possibly some furloughs will be discussed after July 1, 2017, so these elections are important in identifying the priorities that are important to the state of Nevada. It is so critical that people make sure their voice is heard.
KUNR: Fred Lokken, thank you.
FL: Thank you.
