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Tuesday, June 19, 2012 | 2:02 a.m.
Dear reader,
Much of the political news this year will be dedicated to the presidential race, and that is no surprise. The race for president is the only one on the ballot for every American voter, and its importance goes without saying.
But while all of that attention is being focused on that race, we are reminded of the old saying that all politics is local. For Nevadans, the ballot brings not only federal officials but also a variety of candidates for state and local positions. In Clark County, voters will have the opportunity to vote in a wide range of races, from the Legislature to justice of the peace.
Given the number of races and the variety of positions, it can be dizzying to page through a sample ballot. In Clark County, the November ballot will include races for:
• Federal office: president and Congress;
• State Legislature: all of the Assembly and about half of the Senate;
• County commission: four seats;
• Judicial seats: District Court and Justice Court, all nonpartisan;
• Education: three seats on both the university system board of regents and the state Board of Education; four seats on the Clark County School Board, all nonpartisan.
This year, as we review the candidates for office and consider their positions, we’d like your thoughts about state and local races.
We’re curious about how you plan to pick candidates for these races, especially the nonpartisan races, and we’re interested in knowing which state and local races are important to you and why.
As well, we want to know what would you ask candidates running for the Legislature, the county commission or the school board. Should they win, what do you want them to do? What issues should the state and local candidates be focusing on?
We also want your help in framing the discussion on the opinion pages this election year. What issues are important to you? Are you satisfied with the way things are going? If not, what should or shouldn’t the elected officials be doing?
However, if you don’t care about the election or if politics has turned you off, let us know that as well.
We will use your responses as we consider the issues and the candidates. We will also publish a sampling of your responses to let the candidates know what you’re thinking. And we hope to ask the candidates some of your questions.
You can send your thoughts and questions to: “Election” c/o Letters to the editor, Las Vegas Sun, 2360 Corporate Circle, Third Floor, Henderson, NV 89074. Or send a letter via email: letters@lasvegassun.com. Or fax: (702) 383-7264.
We look forward to hearing from you soon.
Best,
Matt
Matt Hufman is editor of the editorial and opinion pages. On Twitter @MattattheSun.
Here's a voters' reminder and checklist:
Get back to our American roots of hard work and pride in self and others.
Forget party affiliation. It's maningless. Vote for the best candidate.
Scrutinize incumbent candidates carefully. Don't vote merely for candidates interested in their reelection.
Vote only for candidates with experience, leadership and integrity. They put the greater good of all over special interests and political contributors.
Follow these simple suggestions for all local, state and Federal elections. Can't go wrong.
CarmineD
Allison Serafin raised over 63k for the state board of education race. Her four opponents raised between them around 19K. Where is the funding coming from. She was the former director of Teach for America for Nevada. Does she have any ties to the Koch brothers or Michelle Rhee?
Matt,
This will be a different take but here goes. All I have to do is look at the state of things, city, county, state and national to know if most people currently in office are doing a good job. The answer is a resounding NO, regardless of party.
That being the case, unless I 'know' a particular office holder is just doing a great job, they just cannot get my vote. Then I will find out as much as possible aboutthe opponents and vote for the best one.
Being economically conservative, it's tough for me to vote for a D because most of them are economically progressive.
Bottom line for me and I think should be for everyone is: We need to send the incumbents a message.... You are doing an absolutely terrible job. Don't give me excuses that it's the other parties fault... I don't want to hear it. If you are stymied in what you want to do, you should be all over the media saying what bills you proposed and why they failed. You either find a way to do a good job or you are out period.
Michael
Mark, does Bob Beers know anyone who understands basic math who might be available to run for the school board?
Getting a view into the ethics and integrity of a person running for office is important, how it benefits who and in what way.
For incumbents, I look at the legislation they supported and signed.
I examine their positions, their history, their actions, both personal and professional or however they earn a living, to the best of my ability.
Who is supporting a candidate is also important, especially if the candidate is not clear on publicly positions.
If I find out who is supporting the candidate, I then check them out, including who they associate with, what organizations they belong to.
I don't look solely at the people who appear to be the "best qualified", they could just be more crooked or slippery. Credentials don't mean integrity.
In fact, I am about to the point when I think it may be good to have what some people think are "unqualified" people running our government and representing the People.
If the non-professionals took majority control, maybe they could make some dramatic changes to benefit the common good. Perhaps, to change the direction of the state and nation. Even if it is a dream, I keep it in mind.
I take notes so I can compare words versus actions on whoever is elected, and use them the next time I vote.
I also look at candidates who are not Democrats or Republicans, if there are any. Ideally, I would like to vote for all who are not of the two major parties, if they meet my values.
Yes, it takes alot of time. But that is my responsibility as a citizen, and is especially necessary now that politics has gotten so very bad in the two major parties.
Another way I can judge a candidate is to see how insulting their supporters are. That puts big question marks in my mind.
Mr. Hufman will these letters or posts that you publish include the people that post here from out of town? You know the ones that don't have a clue about Las Vegas yet the Sun publishes thier remarks anyway?
@Roslenda. Sorry to tell you this, but the candidates for the School Trustee elections in November were decided in the primaries that were just held.
It's to bad that the Independent Party is not as strong as both the Democrats or the Republicans in getting a President elected. People are tired of the same old lies of what can be done,only to have things to stay the same. This country is in the situation it is in, because of party and self interests first.
Vegas baby. If a candidate doesn't get it, they don't get my vote.
I do not want to hear bs like we need to diversify the economy. That is the rhetoric of a Globalist hellbent on destroying Las Vegas. That mentality is toxic to this State.
What we need is a a 100% focus on what this State and town is about. I want to hear serious discussion concerning legalizing marijuana and prostitution.
I want serious discussion and action on allowing total internet gaming without restriction in and out of the State.
I want to hear Casinos are going to be paying more taxes on their base games, thus incentivizing them to move away from the dead-zone. Taxes after-all are about policy and not gathering up money to piss away on stupid governmental spending. Temporary tax revenue increases should be reinvested locally in helping folks underwater in their homes.
I want to hear the Mining Industry will be paying a competitive tax rate. I want to hear US Miners will be given preference in all dealings in the State.
What I do not want to hear is the crud which comes so freely out of the mouths of a Harry Reid or Shelley Berkley. Trains to noplace and Israel.
@stephenrblv: Very good post!
To any and every incumbent: I want to see nominations for the Congressional Medal of Freedom for Agent Brian Terry (posthumous), his partner that carried him, and for the whistle blower agent who suggested we finally do something about Fast and Furious STUPIDITY--giving guns to criminals.