WASHINGTON — Today, the Democratic Legislative Campaign Committee (DLCC) announced 2024 Spotlight candidates in Nevada running to defend and bolster the Democratic majorities. These strong Democratic candidates provide opportunities to defend competitive seats and combat Republicans’ attempts to build power in both chambers.
The Spotlight candidates unveiled today in Nevada are:
State Senate:
- Jennifer Atlas (SD-05) is a legal professional who first moved to Las Vegas nearly two decades ago where she has become a strong advocate for improving public education. Now she’s running for a seat in the Nevada Senate to champion working families and flip her district blue. Lifting up the public school system will be one of Jennifer’s legislative priorities, and she has a plan to reduce class sizes and pay teachers what they deserve.
- Rep. Angie Taylor (SD-15) is a small business owner and lifelong educator running for the Nevada Senate to flip her district blue. Angie is excited to continue the work she started in the Assembly of advocating for public schools, reproductive freedom, and access to affordable health care and housing. Education gave Angie a path out of poverty, and she wants to make sure that every Nevadan has the same opportunity.
State Assembly:
- Ryan Hampton (AD-4) is a business leader and nonprofit founder running for the Nevada Assembly to flip his district blue. After being prescribed painkillers for a hiking injury in his twenties, Ryan found himself caught in addiction and in need of support while navigating the health care and treatment systems. He was able to recover, and his experience forever instilled a sense of duty to others facing similar struggles. This led him to start several businesses and nonprofits focused on serving others facing substance abuse and mental health issues. Now, Ryan is ready to take his advocacy to the Assembly, where he plans to be a staunch defender of Nevada’s most vulnerable residents.
- Rep. Elaine Marzola (AD-21) is a legal professional whose family immigrated to Las Vegas from Brazil when she was a child. She’s running for reelection to defend this critical seat in the Nevada Assembly, where she’s helped pass key legislation to support workers and teachers, expand health care access, and protect reproductive freedom. Elaine is proud of what the Democratic majority has accomplished, but she also knows that there is still work to be done when it comes to improving the quality of life for working families.
- Rep. Selena La Rue Hatch (AD-25) is a public school teacher and 4th generation Nevadan running for reelection to the Nevada Assembly. At a young age, Selena discovered her love of helping kids learn while helping her grandmother operate an in-home daycare. Selena still follows that passion today as she teaches Washoe County high school students to grow into thoughtful, empathetic leaders. After joining the Assembly in 2022, Selena has sponsored bills to improve Nevada’s public schools, protect the environment, and defend reproductive freedom.
- Rep. Shea Backus (AD-37) is a legal professional and third-generation Nevadan running for reelection to the Nevada Assembly. During her time in the Assembly, Shea has worked hard to create a strong foundation on which future generations can build their lives. This meant helping pass legislation to strengthen the public school system, encourage economic growth by embracing clean energy, and work towards making quality health care affordable for all.
- Rep. Sandra Jauregui (AD-41) is a housing advocate and real estate expert defending a key seat in the Nevada Assembly this fall. In her career, Sandra has focused on standing up for working families and using her expertise to connect fellow Nevadans with financial education and affordable housing. As a member of the Assembly, she’s sponsored legislation to protect reproductive freedom, expand Medicare, increase funding for public schools, and make it easier to find affordable housing. Sandra has the vision and experience to help ensure Nevada’s legislature works for the people.
The DLCC defended both chambers of the Nevada legislature in 2022 to maintain the state’s Democratic majorities, empowering Democrats to pass critical legislation around protecting abortion access and voting access. In the face of obstruction from a Republican governor, growing Democrats’ majorities will be critical to passing protections for contraceptive access, fortifying public trust in our elections, and providing financial relief for everyday Nevadans. Victory for these candidates would ensure Nevada remains a beacon of Democratic progress and fundamental freedoms are protected.
This announcement continues the momentum of DLCC’s “Summer of the States” campaign, which launched earlier this month to call attention to the critical window to build the infrastructure for Democrats to push past Republican efforts and boost our chances for victory in November. These strong Nevada candidates join hundreds of candidates who are mounting inspiring campaigns in every corner of the country to build Democratic power and block Republican extremism in state legislatures.
DLCC Board Member and Speaker of the Assembly Steve Yeager issued the following statement:
“Nevadans deserve hardworking Democrats who will fight to protect their fundamental freedoms in this critical election year. As Republicans zero in on building MAGA power, we must elect Democrats to the Nevada Legislature to safeguard democracy in Nevada. These Spotlight candidates not only represent the strongest opportunities to prevent MAGA gains, but they are the candidates who will have Nevada’s best interest in mind when it comes to lowering housing and prescription drug costs, improving public schools, protecting reproductive freedoms, and making sure MAGA Republicans beholden to the gun lobby are not in charge of public safety in our communities.”
Democratic Legislative Campaign Committee President Heather Williams issued the following statement:
“The Democratic Legislative Campaign Committee is proud to announce our Spotlight candidates in Nevada, whose races will bolster hard-fought Democratic power in the state. The DLCC has long engaged in Nevada, and our victories in 2o22 ensured that fundamental freedoms are protected against GOP extremism. This year we must build upon that progress by supporting this slate of strong candidates to strengthen our Democratic majorities.
“The DLCC’s Spotlight program uplifts some of the best opportunities to build and cement Democratic power, and we’re thrilled to continue our momentum from our ‘Summer of the States’ campaign with the announcement of these Nevada candidates. These candidates will ensure Nevada remains a strong example of Democratic progress.”
The DLCC is the official arm of the Democratic Party with the sole mission of building Democratic power in the states and setting the national agenda at the state level. Over the last decade, we have fought cycle-over-cycle to gain a dozen new legislative chamber majorities and we are leading the effort to bring national attention and investment to our ballot level. State legislatures are the building blocks of our democracy and have the closest connections to Americans’ day-to-day lives. From protecting fundamental freedoms and voting rights to growing the middle class, the DLCC and state legislators are moving the Democratic agenda forward and shaping the future of this country.
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