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Nevada is one of the most diverse states in the country, a chief reason we are well positioned to become the first-in-the-nation presidential primary state. As representatives of some of its key constituencies—Latino, AAPI, Black, and Tribal—and with November approaching, we want to implore candidates to not forget our communities during their campaigns.
Governor Steve Sisolak is the perfect example of someone who is committed to building a campaign made of, and made for, all Nevadans. He not only connected with us, but offered us an active role in advising him on his campaign's outreach and mobilization efforts along with forward-looking policy.
The governor knows it's not enough to just talk about the importance of Nevada's diversity—you have to walk the walk and incorporate all voices early and consistently. That's why he launched four advisory councils—representing Nevada's major constituency groups—composed of local leaders, community activists, tribal chairs and business experts. Together, through our personal and professional experiences, we are helping him make important decisions and connect with Nevadans across the state.
Through these councils the governor is making a concerted effort to show up for each and every one of us. He's attended our meetings and summits, participated in school supply drives, visited our places of worship, hosted roundtables for small business owners in our communities, and he's launched TV and digital ads in multiple languages to reach all Nevadans. He has personally called our members, met with our families, and visited our homes to hear from us.
In these conversations, there's one topic that always comes up: lowering costs for families.
Governor Sisolak gets it—that's why his administration has taken major steps to grow our economy and put more money in Nevadans' wallets.
He supported small businesses by distributing over $100 million in PETS grants during the pandemic and he's helping businesses get off the ground faster by opening the Office of Small Business Advocacy and launching Nevada's first ever Small Business Accelerator Program.
Earlier this year, Governor Sisolak launched the Home Means Nevada initiative and is making a historic $500 million investment to expand affordable housing across the Silver State and Nevada tribal lands. He's also investing $360 million into child care to help lower costs for families and keep our childcare workers on the job, started negotiating directly with drug companies to lower the costs of prescription drugs, and funded free lunch for all Nevada public school students in the 2022-23 school year.
Governor Sisolak is also laser-focused on improving Nevada's education system to support families and ensure all of our kids are set up for success. In his first term, he gave teachers their first raise in over a decade, funded schools at their highest level ever, and allocated $200 million toward getting kids caught up through new summer and afterschool programs.
These measures have no doubt improved the lives of Nevadans. But Governor Sisolak understands that policies affect our communities differently. By giving us a seat at the table, he's ensuring that he can build on the progress made in his first term and find future solutions that work for every Nevadan.
This election is about showing up for all Nevadans—not just those in your own backyard.
Governor Sisolak has proven to be the governor for all Nevadans by giving us a seat at the table and prioritizing our voices. We know he will carry this into his second term and that's why we're proud to endorse his re-election.
Assemblywoman Selena Torres is chair of the Latino Advisory Council.
Assemblywoman Rochelle Nguyen is chair of the AAPI Advisory Council.
Commissioner William McCurdy II is chair of the Black Advisory Council.
Lance West is chair of the Tribal Advisory Council.
The views expressed in this article are the writers' own.
