No matter the outcome, I am thankful for every conversation, every handshake, every sign placed, and every vote cast. Campaigns are often measured by results, but they are also shaped by the people who make them meaningful. The most rewarding part of this effort was spending time with residents over coffee, at dinners, at community events, and on doorsteps. Those conversations reminded me why local government matters and why public service remains worth pursuing.
One year ago, I began a journey to serve the residents of Ward 6 on the Las Vegas City Council. While this campaign did not end with the outcome I had hoped for, I want to begin by expressing my sincere gratitude to the nearly 2,000 residents who placed their trust in me and cast their vote in my favor.
To the volunteers who walked neighborhoods, staffed polling locations, knocked on doors, made phone calls, distributed literature, and gave countless hours of your time, thank you. Your dedication, energy, and belief in a better future for Ward 6 made this campaign possible. To the supporters who encouraged me, attended events, displayed signs, shared our message with friends and neighbors, contributed financially, or honored me with endorsements, I am deeply grateful. Your confidence and support humbled me throughout this journey.
No matter the outcome, I am thankful for every conversation, every handshake, every sign placed, and every vote cast. Campaigns are often measured by results, but they are also shaped by the people who make them meaningful. The most rewarding part of this effort was spending time with residents over coffee, at dinners, at community events, and on doorsteps. Those conversations reminded me why local government matters and why public service remains worth pursuing.
This campaign also taught me an important lesson about municipal elections. They are often less about municipal issues than many voters realize. I spent months focused on the concerns I heard most often from residents: affordability, homelessness, public safety, pedestrian safety near our schools, permitting delays, government efficiency, and the need for responsible stewardship of taxpayer dollars. Those are local issues, and they deserve local attention.
At the same time, the broader political environment proved to be a powerful force. Nancy Brune benefited from support and messaging that resonated with voters on the progressive left, while Steve Grammas appealed to voters aligned with the MAGA movement on the right. Those broader ideological identities gave many voters an immediate political framework. My decision to run down the middle and focus primarily on municipal governance, rather than national political labels, ultimately proved to be a more difficult path.
I do not regret that choice. City government should be about solving city problems, not relitigating national political debates. Las Vegas can be responsible with taxpayer dollars. We can address homelessness and addiction with real solutions. We can prioritize public safety, education, school safety, and protections for children near our schools. We can make our city more affordable by reducing unnecessary fees, regulations, and red tape. We can build a city government that is accountable, compassionate, efficient, and focused on results.
I recognize the outcome of the election. Councilwoman Brune effectively leveraged the advantages of incumbency and earned a decisive victory. For that, she has my congratulations and respect. Elections come and go, but our shared responsibility to the residents of Ward 6 remains.
At the same time, I remain disappointed by what I see as significant shortcomings during her tenure. These include the growth of panhandling and homelessness in Ward 6, the lack of urgency in improving pedestrian safety near schools, concerns regarding fiscal stewardship and the Badlands settlement, delays in critical infrastructure such as the police substation and a third fire station, and project delays that I believe have contributed to rising costs and lost economic opportunities.
Another issue that continues to trouble me is the City’s handling of the proposed second Level I trauma center in Southern Nevada. Hospital Corporation of America was prepared to move forward with a facility that, by all accounts presented to city leadership, met the criteria for approval. Councilwoman Brune initially indicated support if the standards were satisfied. Yet when the matter came before the City Council, political pressure to preserve the existing monopoly held by University Medical Center appeared to prevail, and she joined the vote to deny approval.
HCA later challenged that decision and prevailed in court. To me, this episode raises serious concerns about judgment, independence, and whether decisions affecting public health and emergency care were made in the best interests of Southern Nevada residents. Ward 6 deserves leaders who are willing to stand by objective criteria, resist political pressure, and put the public good ahead of institutional protection.
Although I was unsuccessful in this election, the issues we discussed throughout the campaign are no less important today. Nor do I intend to stop speaking about them.
During the campaign, I was vocal about the growing presence of homeless encampments and panhandling in Ward 6. These were not common occurrences in our community just a few years ago. Residents deserve safe, clean neighborhoods, parks, and public spaces. The concerns raised by residents throughout this campaign remain valid, and they deserve serious attention from city leadership.
Affordability also remains one of the defining challenges facing Ward 6 families. At a time when residents are struggling with the cost of housing, groceries, utilities, and everyday necessities, city government should be looking for ways to reduce burdens, not increase them. Higher parking fees, increased sewer-related costs, attempted septic tank fees, and other added expenses move us in the wrong direction. Government should be focused on making life more affordable for working families, retirees, and small business owners.
I also remain concerned about the increasing bureaucracy within our permitting, planning, and licensing departments. Delays in permits, certificates of occupancy, and business licenses increase costs, discourage investment, and slow job creation. These inefficiencies ultimately make Las Vegas less affordable and less competitive. At a time when our region continues to face employment challenges, city government should be helping businesses open their doors faster, not creating additional obstacles.
The City’s handling of the Badlands litigation also remains a serious concern. For nearly a decade, opportunities existed to mitigate risk, negotiate settlements, and seek resolution before costs escalated to extraordinary levels. Going forward, our city must adopt a more proactive approach to risk management and dispute resolution. Taxpayers deserve leadership that identifies problems early and resolves them before they become financial disasters.
Together, we elevated important issues and showed that many residents are ready for a city government that focuses on accountability, affordability, public safety, economic growth, and practical solutions. Those concerns did not disappear on Election Day, and neither will my interest in working to address them.
If Councilwoman Brune chooses to pursue a more assertive approach focused on public safety, fiscal responsibility, economic growth, and improving the quality of life for residents, I stand ready to help where I can. Our community is more important than any campaign, and I sincerely hope Ward 6 prospers under her leadership.
While this campaign has concluded, my commitment to Ward 6 has not. I will continue to advocate for responsible government, economic opportunity, safer neighborhoods, more efficient city services, and a serious approach to homelessness and addiction. Elections come and go, but the responsibility of citizenship remains.
My work on these issues will also continue through Vegas Stronger, whose mission remains deeply personal to me. We cannot end homelessness in Las Vegas or across Nevada through slogans, temporary fixes, or simply moving people from one sidewalk to another. We must address the root causes of homelessness, including untreated mental illness, substance use disorders, trauma, and the lack of accessible behavioral healthcare. Through Vegas Stronger, I will continue working to provide compassionate, evidence-based mental health care, addiction treatment, outreach, and recovery support to anyone who needs help, especially those who have too often been left behind.
A stronger city begins with a willingness to treat people with dignity, meet them where they are, and give them a real path toward stability, housing, employment, and long-term wellness.
Thank you, Ward 6. Serving this community as a candidate and earning your support has been an honor. I am proud of the campaign we ran, grateful for the friendships we built, and optimistic about the future of Ward 6 and Las Vegas.
The race may be over, but the work continues.
