(Nancy Dallas) – Travis Barrick will be the Republican candidate for Nevada Attorney General on the ballot in November. The incumbent is Democrat Catherine Cortez-Masto. There is also an Independent American Party (IAP) candidate, Joel Hansen, in the race.
• You are a relative unknown in Nevada politics, and apparently politically inexperienced. Why did you decide to ‘cut your teeth’ politically by entering the Attorney General’s race? What campaign training/experience have you had?
I am running because maybe I have more courage than sense. Apparently, none of the “substantial” Republican lawyers in Nevada were willing to go up against Masto, certainly in part because of her connections, even high up in the GOP. Maybe Brad Coker of the Mason Dixon poll was right when he suggested that the GOP was giving Masto “a pass.” I filed at the last minute of the last day because no other conservatives had filed. Somebody had to challenge Masto.
The fact that I am relatively unknown is also a positive because it also means that I do not owe political favors to anyone. I have the expertise, training and temperament to enforce Nevada’s laws, as they are written, equally, fairly and without bias.
As for political experience, I have been a campaign volunteer in races too numerous to list, but which include Paul Laxalt, Bob Dole, Bush 1 and 2, state and local offices while I lived in California.
I have also served as parliamentarian to state and county central committees in California and Nevada.
• What are your qualifications for this position?
First and foremost, I am a regular guy, with an excellent education. When folks hear that I was a carpenter for 26 years and then went to law school at age 45, they know implicitly that I understand the pressures, needs and desires of all the rest of the regular people.
I have an excellent education: Bachelor’s in Legal Studies, Masters in Public Administration and a law degree from the University of San Francisco. Not bad for a working stiff.
I have an incredibly broad base of experience: working man, businessman, churchman, and sportsman. Specific to the Office of Attorney General, I worked in a large firm in San Francisco for about 5 years which is comparable in size (110 lawyers), so I have practical familiarity with large practice management. I also clerked in the public sector for the Port of San Francisco and the City Attorney’s of San Francisco, so I know a thing or two about the difference between being “busy” and being “productive.” My years in the private sector have ingrained a work ethic based upon value, service and competency.
Ms. Masto certainly has experience, but it is all the wrong kind: she has spent nearly all of her working life in the public sector. And her level of experience when she took the office of AG pales in comparison to my level of life experience on my first day in the same office.
• Explain your disagreement with how the current Attorney General handled:
a. The Brian Krolicki charges – Ms. Masto showed an incredible lack of sophistication in bringing the charges that she did. Either she thought no one would think it was a hack job for Harry Reid, or she had no clue about how to make it not look like a hack job. I am not sure which is worse.
b. The Bob Loux charges – Bob Loux was the lead man in Harry Reid’s crusade against Yucca Mountain. The lack of prosecution of Bob Loux looks like she wasn’t going to go after Reid’s man.
c. The refusal to follow Governor Gibbons’ request to file a lawsuit in regards to the Federal Healthcare bill – I marvel that someone of her young age had the audacity to defy the Governor. Again, it looks like she was not going to challeng her benefactor, Harry Reid.
• What is the role of the Nevada State Attorney General? How has the current AG veered from this definition? Explain.
According to the statutory job description, the AG is the lawyer for the State and the People. Masto has certainly failed to be the lawyer for the People, as is evidenced by the culture in the Office of disdain for the average citizen. The list of examples is too long to go through here.
And Masto hasn’t done a very good of a job being the lawyer for the State. The Office of the AG wastes millions of dollars (unaccounted for) on mindless litigation. She sits on the Board of Prison Commissioners and the prisons are a mess. Masto hasn’t acted against the banks that are not paying the real estate transfer tax and recording fees. Masto stood by (or even helped) when Steve Wynn got away with stealing the tips of the dealers in his casinos. The list goes on and on, but the easy inference to make is that she is protecting the rich and powerful.
• What would be your #1 priority upon being elected? Would this priority differ depending up who is elected Governor?
My #1 priority would be to reform the culture of the Office of Attorney General into being a service-oriented, effective and efficient law firm for the People and the State. I will have to find ways to work with those who share my vision and work around those who will certainly try to undermine me. This priority is not dependent upon who sits in the Governor’s office.
• Are there any circumstances under which the AG would have the legal right to defy a Governor’s request/order?
Not that I am aware of.
• What role, if any, should the AG play in the immigration issue?
As the chief law enforcement officer, the AG can and should exert pressure on local law enforcement to step up enforcement of federal immigration laws, with NO EXCUSES. All government agencies can and should begin requiring valid immigration documentation before providing services. Additionally, the AG can and should exert pressure in ICE to step up deportations of illegals who are in custody. As for legislative action, there is virtually no chance that a Democrat-controlled legislature will ever pass legislation comparable to the Arizona laws.
• Do you believe you have a realistic chance of beating the incumbent, Democrat establishment candidate? Why? How? How much money do you think it will take and do you have those financial resources to do so?
I have a realistic chance of winning because Ms. Masto has such high negatives in the public perception. No doubt, her current lead in the polls would lead her to believe that my candidacy is not a present threat. But the tidal wave of discontent among conservatives raises the possibility of a surge at the polls that can carry me over the top. However, the IAP candidate, Joel Hansen, may pull conservative votes that I will need to be victorious. And just last week, Mr. Hansen called me and asked me to withdraw. Such a move shows just how out-of-touch Mr. Hansen is with political reality.
As for the actual votes needed to win, any total in the range of 250,000 would clearly be extremely competitive. In 2002, Brian Sandoval won the AG race by a landslide with 296,471 votes. Of the 120,000 votes cast in the GOP primary, I got nearly 70,000, just 600 or so less than Sharron Angle. I also won every county, including Clark County where I spent no funds at all. By virtue of my tireless personal campaigning and the resulting connection with regular working people throughout the state, Democrats and Republican, union and non-union, I am pulling votes away from Masto that she cannot replace.
Fund raising is everyone’s bane this year and the lack of substantial support has clearly hampered my efforts to get my name before the voters. At the present, a mere $10,000 would allow me to get the rudimentary bases covered with signs state-wide. Beyond that, it is my plan to use radio ads in the last month of the campaign to point people to my website where they can learn more about me and my campaign. The cost of a radio campaign starts at about $10,000. I have volunteer consultants working on hardening my website to cyber-attack and guaranteeing the necessary bandwidth to handle the last minute crush of website hits. This was an issue in the primary which has become a lesson learned.
As for television ads, while I have ads ready to produce, the cost of airtime is clearly out of reach at this time.
I spent all of my personal resources on the primary, so I am utterly dependent upon outside support.
I definitely like what travis has to say about the issues. At first I saw his san francisco experience and expected a RINO, not so after doing a study on him. He will be getting my vote!!!
Cortez-Masto is nothing more than a Democrat rubber stamp. One of the elite ruling class.
I am an independant, but this guy impresses me, someone who is in the REAL world, he has my vote.
This guy makes a lot of sense. It is hard to imagine why anyone would want to back or vote for the “business as usual” and “don’t make waves” candidate Masto, unless they have something personally to gain, when Nevada has a chance to get a qualified guy like Barrick who apparently owes no favors. (I hope Hansen recognizes that also. He asked Barrick to withdraw? “Hello, McFly!”).
Catherine Cortez-Masto is corrupt.
An Excellent response. What most people do not know is that Masto is a part of conspiracy to conceal a crime that led to the wrongful incarceration and death of an innocent man, Nolan Klein. Oral Arguments are being heard on the Writ of Mandamus in Washoe District Court on September 30, 2010 @ 9:00.
The Writ of Mandamus and the court proceedings can be found on the JusticeForNolanKlein.com web site. Vote Masto out of office!
Masto and Howard Skolnik along with their lord and master Eldon McDaniel are trying to bankrupt the state with mindless litigation. I don’t know about this guy, but anyone is better than Masto.
Guys, Travis is the clear choice. Masto has failed Nevada and clearly has been a Ruber stamp and hatchet person for not only Harry Reid, but also Dina Titus, Shelley Berkley, Bob Coffin and the rest of the Democratic deligation to protect themselves and their interests.
Travis will represent EVERY Nevadan, Republican, Democrat, Independant, Green, Non Partisan, and everyone else. He ows allegance not to any polititian or political party but to the people of Nevada. He also is a man of integrity and we wont have to worry about people like Harry Reid, Kate Marshall, Kim Wallin, Dina Titus or the rest of them calling in political favors anymore.
People this is one of the most important races in this cycle. The Attorney General is the Lawyer for the State and top law enforcement official, not to mention the #3 position within the state. With crime, drugs and gangs going out of control we need someone in there who will do their job and I believe Travis is that man.
Currently, Masto is denying disabled persons service in Las Vegas. She is required under the ADA AA to provide service. This federal requirement is not discretionary. Her denying disabled persons is costing the taxpayers significantly because for each violation the disabled are entitled to sanctions and damages which are payable with your taxpayer dollars. Also, federal funding is pulled for each violation.
I voted for Masto last election, but I won’t be doing so again. Barrick has my vote so far. It is refreshing to see a candidate for office that understands the real world and can relate to his constituents.
Thanks for running Travis Barrick
I have worked with Travis over the years and you will get an honest answer every time. Thanks for making a difference Travis.
Travis Barrick can see the state AG’s office for what it is. Just a group of do nothing state workers feeding off the trough and having complete disdain for the people they are supposed to be helping and the laws they are supposed to uphold.
You WLL NOT often find a man of character, integrity, and, work ethic such as Travis Barrick. To have such a person willing to clean up the mess that will be waiting for him upon taking office…we would be CRAZY not to roll out the red carpet for him!
I’m a registered Democrat; I was invited to attend this convention where Travis was speaking. I did not expect to like this guy..Afer listening to what he had to say and getting to know him. He haves my vote.
Talk to your neighbors, friends, family and e-mail list. Tell them about Travis Barrick–a new attorney with a fresh approach–INTEGRITY. Vote for him for Attorney General and ask everyone you know to vote for him also!!
Sounds like most of you are either blind or just Travis posting under other names. I work in the legal community and the fact is, the AG’s office is not what Travis purports it to be. I find there to be many good, hard working attorneys there who do not simply feed off the trough. Nice try at an old stereotype, though. I am a conservative but this guy has no idea, based on this interview, what it would be like to run the office. I have worked in private and public sector as well and five nyears as an associate in an SF civil firm gives him no actual experience running that firm. He likely worote motions and did discovery for partners. Law office management and being a Jr. associated do not equate. Go back to
Barrick has been licensed to practice law in Nevada a relatively short period of time. He lacks experience and trying to diminish Masto by condecendingly referring to her as being at a young age was transparent atbest. Should we refer to travis as an old man to diminish him? OH and can you tell me why his official report to the Nevada Bar has him working somewhere where they do not list him amongst their attorneys?
I have been personally affected by Catherine Cortez-Masto who would not defend the 50 thousand some odd Dealers in the state of NV. And stood by and gave her blessing to the illegal tip grab at Wynn resorts.
Anyone following this case or read the lawyers briefs can clearly see we the dealers won this case without question! ( without using the word corruption) Somehow the labor commissioner (or should I say the employer commissioner?) Michal Tancheck and Catherine Cortez-Masto signed off on the illegal tip grab.
So I would say there are at least 50 thousand votes right there for Travis Barrick!
Go Travis Go!
How can the citizens of NV take there state back?
I have known Travis for years and he has always been honest, conducted himself professionally, and exhibited the utmost concern for his community, family, and friends. Travis is a native Nevadan and truly cares about our community. Travis is definitely concerned for Nevada’s people and state, which is not the case for our current AG, with her step on the little guy attitude and give more to the rich. We need someone fair in the AG’s office and that someone is Travis. Travis Barrick has my vote for AG for sure!
It would be refreshing to have Travis Barrick has my vote for AG and I will spread the word as much as I can. I am very interested in this election year. We need to get the go-along, get-along snakes out of office!
To, are you all Travis? No I believe you are the one that doesn’t have a clue. I have spoken with Travis on the issues and am convinced that his interests are genuine. This is a person that will hold the people of Nevada in the highest regard. Travis may not have the credentials that you profess to have and his legal background may not be what you feel is up to the job Ms. Masto is capable of, but I have to ask myself just what has Ms. Masto done to benefit the State of Nevada? You are the person that lies back and badmouths others for attempting to better the state. With people like you condoning what Ms. Masto is doing, I would think you would be better suited to another state like California with the rest of the RINO’s. The people in Nevada are sick to death of watching this state turn into crap while these Damrats destroy it.
Mike Davis