MAKE AN IMPACT BY VOTING
ENDORSEMENTS FOR SOUTHERN NEVADA
PRIMARY ELECTION 2026
Endorsement guide available now
It’s war, but we’re not giving up!
It’s been all-out war against Democracy and your right to vote ever since the disaster that was the 2024 election. The same poisonous ideology that built the Confederacy, sabotaged Reconstruction, and instituted Jim Crow is now slithering its way through the Republican states to suffocate representative democracy.
Let’s be clear. All the fault doesn’t lie with the Republican Party. Just as guilty are the corrupt and racist justices on the U.S. Supreme Court. They will stop at nothing to suppress the vote and subvert the will of the people, plus working to line their own pockets.
Please vote and urge your friends to vote.
Visit https://www.voteamerica.org/am-i-registered-to-vote/ to check your registration!
This shows up in Trump’s “Save American Act,” a rebranded and expanded version of last year’s Safeguard American Voter Eligibility (Save) act, which passed in the US House but didn’t get a vote in the Senate. It also shows up in Nevada’s Question 7, officially titled the Voter Identification Initiative. Both these bills are an attempt to suppress the vote of low- income voters, women, our trans community, and racial/ethnic groups, which the GOP believes will vote against them.
Just like those who rail against pedophilia, those who rail against voter fraud are usually the very persons who are committing these crimes. In cases of voter fraud, they usually get caught eventually.
Primary races are often decided by a few dozen votes.
As progressives, we must retake our majority in Congress – both the House and the Senate. We must retake the Nevada governorship and retain our majorities in the Nevada Assembly and Senate. Equally important is that we elect local officials and judges who uphold the Constitution and won’t attempt to take away The right to vote.
Trump regime, Republican lawmakers, and state and federal courts have made it clear they will stop at nothing to dilute the vote of minorities and make voting by mail more difficult. Voter fraud is nearly non-existent, but new identification requirements will take away the right to vote from Native Americans, the elderly, the poor, and anyone who has had a marriage or court-approved name change.
If you vote by mail, be sure and mail your ballots early. Delays at the US Postal Service are specifically designed to make your ballot arrive too late to be counted!
Please vote and urge your friends to vote.
Visit https://www.voteamerica.org/am-i-registered-to-vote to check your registration!
Our 2026 Primary Endorsement Guide will be available by May 23, 2026. Check back with this website or see the Las Vegas Spectrum’s Facebook post at LVSpectrum.
You’ll find the latest Nevada Impact and Las Vegas Spectrum voter’s endorsement guide.
We encourage you to share the guide. Any other publication is authorized to use this via either print or links. Please, post our links on your social media, share with your email lists and text messages. NevadaImpact.com is always the place to go for LGBTQ+ and Progressive voting information.
Who are we? Where does our information come from?
Our endorsements are made with the best interests of LGBTQ+ voters and our progressive allies in mind. When we recommend a candidate, we consider a wide range of issues and don’t limit our focus to LGBTQ+ issues alone. Of equal importance to us are issues such as the right of choice (abortion), comprehensive immigration reform, veterans, a living wage, the right to health care for all, civil and human rights, protecting our environment, and racial/ethnic equality, including the right to be represented and to vote. Does it need to be said that we support gender equality, the right to gender expression, marriage equality, and non-discrimination?
Based on the track record, current positions, and those previously elected by the Republican Party, we will not be offering any Republican endorsements. If you are registered as a Republican, we suggest it is time to reconsider party affiliation. Enough said.
These selections have been made by a committee that has produced this guide since 1992, when it was started by the Las Vegas Bugle. The committee is composed of community leaders and is chaired by Rob Schlegel, former publisher of the Bugle and publisher of the Las Vegas Spectrum. Over 45 progressive and LGBTQ+ allied organizations were consulted for their online endorsements, with a weighted emphasis on endorsements from Silver State Equality (although we are not affiliated).
Your personal ballot will be based on the geographical location or precinct where you’re registered to vote. In the primary election, your ballot will be based on your party affiliation, so Democrats decide who their party represents, as do Republicans. Everyone gets to vote in non-partisan races.
Please note: We are aware of several LGBTQ+ candidates who are running. Some we endorsed but some we did not. It’s not a matter of their principles, it’s a matter of who can realistically get elected.
Always check our website. https://NevadaImpact.com for the latest from our group.
Meanwhile, please keep in mind that this voter’s endorsement guide, while edited by Rob Schlegel, also includes contributions from several long-time community and political leaders.
To check your voter status, register, change address, check dates, etc., visit the Clark County Voter Services website. Here is a shortened website address for your convenience: http://tiny.cc/clarkvoter
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LGBTQ+ | Progressive endorsements
In this year’s primary election, as in all Nevada primaries, there will be three ballots. One for Democrats, one for Republicans, and one for those who chose not to affiliate with a national party. That’s how it should be. Dems will select their candidate. Reps will select who represents their party. Those who don’t affiliate with a party can vote for the non-partisan races, but, as it should be, they’ll have no say in who the Democrats or Republicans select to carry the banner for their party.
Everyone gets to vote for the non-partisan races, which primarily include judicial offices.
In the general election, party affiliation can be cast aside, if you choose, and the selection of most offices is then decided, regardless of party affiliation or not.
Our endorsements are made with the best interests of LGBTQ+ voters and our progressive allies in mind. When we recommend a candidate, we consider a wide range of issues and don’t limit our focus to LGBTQ+ issues alone. Of equal importance to us are issues such as the right to choice (abortion), comprehensive immigration reform, veterans, a living wage, the right to health care for all, civil and human rights, protecting our environment, and racial/ethnic equality, including the right to be represented and to vote. Does it need to be said that we support gender equality, the right to gender expression, marriage equality, and non-discrimination?
Based on the track record, current positions, and those previously elected by the Republican Party, we will not be endorsing any candidate in the Republican primary. If you are registered as a Republican, we suggest it is time to reconsider your party affiliation. Enough said.
Your ballot will be based on the geographical location where you’re registered to vote. Here are our endorsements for Southern Nevada.
Our choices are as follows:
Federal Partisan Offices
US Congress (see our comments at the end)
Representative in Congress, District 1
Titus, Dina
Cornejo, Gabriel
Hoover, Joy
Paniagua, Luis
Representative in Congress, District 2
Benitez-Thompson, Teresa
Durham, Kathy
Fonken, Matthew
Gorman, Gerold Lee
Hebert, Joshua
Jolle, Mark
Kerns, John
Kidd, Greg
Wadsworth, Morgan
White, Samuel
Zavala Enriquez, Gamaliel
Representative in Congress, District 3Lee, Susie
Lally, James
Robinson, Terrill
West, Brandon
Representative in Congress, District 4Horsford, Steven (no primary)
Federal Partisan Offices
GovernorFord, Aaron
Arterburn, Sunshine
Bayfield, Miqehl
Bouari, Emile
Cooper, James
Hill, Alexis
Lieutenant GovernorJauregui, Sandra
Burke, Courtney
Scheiner, Bridget N “BridgieNix”
State TreasurerMathis-Coleman, Tya
Dalia, Joe
Maharjan, Jay
State ControllerMacDougall, Michael
Blackstock, Robert K. “Bob”
Tolle, Robert “Bob”
Attorney GeneralCannizzaro, Nicole Jeanette
This was a hard decision. Both candidates are very good.
Conine, Zach
Nevada Senate
Nevada State Senate Dist. 2Flores, Edgar
Barron, Isaac
Nevada State Senate Dist. 21Ohrenschall, James
Romero, Junior
Nevada State Assembly
State Assembly Dist. 1Esparza, Alexis
Cato, Jo
DeSalvio, Lou
Fennell II, James
Gledhill, Millan
State Assembly Dist. 2Bywaters, Kamilah
Kung, Mike
State Assembly Dist. 6Jackson, Jovan
Candido, Douglas
State Assembly Dist. 8Nguyen, Duy
Cook Sr., Paul John
State Assembly Dist. 9Hampton, Ryan
Hank, Maria Teresa
State Assembly Dist. 10Karris, Venise
Thomason, Valerie
State Assembly Dist. 15Watts III, Howard
Davila, Miguel
State Assembly Dist. 16Gonzalez, Cecelia
Chase, Eva
State Assembly Dist. 17Hunt, Linda
Smith, Robert
State Assembly Dist. 18Considine, Venicia
Brown, Antario
State Assembly Dist. 20Orentlicher, David
Smith, Tony T
State Assembly Dist. 22Booth, Shenea
Hernandez, Dionisio
Taylor, Tamara
State Assembly Dist. 29Combs, Brad
Delobel, Ashley
Pereszlenyi, Alex
State Assembly Dist. 41
Spotleson, Vinny
Wyett, Gabriela
State Assembly Dist. 42
Brown-May, Tracy
Vasquez, Dayton
Nevada State Assembly
Clark County Commission Dist. E
Segerblom, “Tick”
Hernandez, Marco
Clark County Commission Dist. F
Yan, Minjia
Crawford, Sebastian
Hovanessian, Lenna
Kumar, Serena
Lieberknecht, Justin
Lloyd, Minddie
Wall, Michael
Clark County Commission Dist. G
Solomon, Christian
Gibson, James Brinley
Clark County AssessorMartinet, Melissa
Washington, Tamicka N.
Clark County Clerk
Goya, Lynn Marie
Clark County Recorder
Flanagan, Tanya
Berry Burress, Skye
Perez, Anna L
Clark Public AdministratorItkin-Goodman, Stephanie
Ivy, M.J.
Velazquez, Edgar
State and District Nonpartisan Offices
Nevada Courts
Nevada 8th Judicial Court Dept. 13
Ganz, Adam
Howell, Christopher
Kurth, Robert
Nevada 8th Judicial Court Dept. 26
Goodey, Jessica
Hooge, Daniel Thunell, Pete
Nevada 8th Judicial District Court, Family Division, Dept. P
Perry, Mary
This race is a trainwreck. Maybe Perry?
Isso, Jennifer Smith, Kurt S
Nevada 8th Judicial District Court, Family Division, Dept. R
Petsas, Nicholas “Nick”
Caston, Marilyn Henderson, Bill
Nevada 8th Judicial District Court, Family Division, Dept. S
Forman, Randall
Brewer, Kristine Harris, Tanner
Nevada Board of Regents, Dist. 2Villa, Patrick
McGrath, Jennifer J.
Cain, Hunter
Chambers, Dylan
Nevada Board of Regents, Dist. 3Brooks, Byron
Swendseid, Erik
Nevada Board of Regents, Dist. 5Denis, Moises
Boylan, Patrick
Cavalaro, Kathleen
DeLorenzo, Tyler
Garcia, Ashley
Molina, Stephanie
Nevada Board of Regents, Dist. 8Goicoechea, Peter
Lane, Lori
Miller, Karmen La’Shaun
Talib-deen, Kirk
Nevada Board of Regents, Dist. 10Reed, Peter
Matthews, Andy
County Nonpartisan Offices
Clark County School Board
Clark County School District Board of Trustees, Dist. FHutchinson, Robert
Adams, Irene Bustaante
Neeley, Laurence
Clark County SheriffMcMahill, Kevin
City Offices (All Nonpartisan)
Henderson
Mayor of HendersonPrice, Adam
Romero, Michelle
Chadwick, Hollie
Ramirez, Andrew
Scorsetti, Angeles
Henderson City Council Ward IIIAtlas, Jennifer
Owens, Annette Dawson
Hood, Leroy
Henderson Municipal Court Dept. 1Wiersch, Catherine
Albritton, Alicia A.
Thompson, Gary
Las Vegas
Las Vegas City Council Ward 2McCarthy, Luke
Booker, Marilyn
Nordstrom, Shanno
Las Vegas City Council Ward 6Brune, Nancy
Grammas, Steve
Marlon, Dave
Las Vegas Municipal Court Dept. 1Canady, Rae
Walkder, Matt
Pellizzari, Amanda
Las Vegas Municipal Court Dept. 2Murphy, Allycia
Green, Jessica
Lay, Matt
North Las Vegas
Mayor of North Las VegasMonroe-Moreno, Daniele
Black, Scott
Bouchard, Gary
Langdon, Zaire
Thorns, Henry
North Las Vegas City Council Ward 1Strothers, Sherry
Ramirez, Diana
Villeda, Esmeralda
North Las Vegas City Council Ward 3Robinson, William
Zeiler, Ida
North Las Vegas Municipal Court, Dept. 1Henry, Alexander
Cannon, Christopher
Township Nonpartisan Offices
Justice of the Peace, Henderson Twnshp. Dept. 2Bateman, Sam
Justice of the Peace, Henderson Twnshp. Dept. 3Hendron, Lance
Parker, Blair C
Schifalacqua, Barbara
Justice of the Peace, Henderson Twnshp. Dept. 4Cory, John
Allmon, Michael
Gruber, Harvey
Richards, Trent
Justice of the Peace, Las Vegas Twnsh. Dept. 11Goodman, Eric A.
Justice of the Peace, Las Vegas Twnsh. Dept. 12Sullivan, Diana L.
Justice of the Peace, North Las Vegas Twnsh. Dept. 3Harris, Belinda T.
Comments on the Congressional races:
Why we’re not happy with Nevada’s federal office holders
We avoided comments on most races in the primary. Congress (and the Senate, but neither of the NV Senators is up for reelection) is an exception. We are endorsing the incumbents because they will win the primary and then, hopefully, the general election. They are far better than the alternatives, which would be Republicans.
All five of our federal office holders voted for the Laken Riley Act, which has allowed the Trump administration to detain and deport undocumented immigrants for minor infractions. It has undermined due process and perpetuated harmful stereotypes about immigrants. It has led to racial profiling and fear within the community. It has destroyed families!
Shame! All of you should have known better.
Additionally, all five have taken money from the American Israel PAC. Sen. Rosen, $2,253,000; Sen. Cortez Masto, $834,000; Rep. Lee, $734,000, Rep. Titus $281,000, and Rep. Horsford, $211,000. While we are pro-Israel, we are against genocide. We are anti-Hamas, but we are pro-Palestinian. We are not in favor of the Trump-Netanyahu needless war on Iran.
Had it not been for the AI PAC money, we suspect Members of Congress might do a better job in policing the weapons and funds going to Israel for its genocidal war against the Palestinians and now against Iran. It’s time to rein in Israel and Trump. Self-defense is one thing, but the needless genocide, which the US supplies the weapons for, must stop.
