20 Questions with John Ellison

John Ellison is a Republican candidate running for Nevada State Assembly District 33 in Elko, Nevada.

1. Tell us a little bit about your family and where you grew up…

I grew up ranching throughout Elko County. I am a small business owner in Elko, Nevada. I’ve been in business for over 30 years. My wife and I have been married 38 years. We have 4 children – John Jr. (deceased), Billy, Michelle, and Nicole – and 8 grandchildren.

2. Give a brief summation of your professional and political background…

I am a small business owner. I’ve been in business as an electrical contractor for residential and commercial properties for over 30 years. I’ve also been in ranching most of my life all over Elko County.

I served on the Elko City Council, Planning Commission and Elko County Commission. I’ve been the sitting Assemblyman for District 33 for 4 terms.

3. Generally describe your philosophical beliefs on the proper role of government…

The government should be for the people.  You’re elected by the people to do a job and you should go in the direction of those who have elected you.

4. Why are you running?

I am running because I have always felt I was a voice of the people and do the people’s work. It is not because of the money because I pay out of pocket for a lot of it.

5. What makes you more qualified to serve in this position than your opponent?

I have served 4 terms as the Assemblyman for District 33.  I have seniority in the Assembly, meaning I sit on committees that will have the most impact in rural Nevada. My door is always open to any and all constituents.

I feel like my opponent doesn’t have the experience – and I don’t believe that throwing money at the problems will resolve anything.

6. What are your the three most important issues and what would be your top legislative priority if elected?

My top 3 issues are protecting water rights, public lands and our 2nd Amendment rights.  Also being pro-business, keeping tax base low and not changing the ad valorem tax in the state of Nevada.

My top priority would be maintaining existing rural Nevada’s water rights and keeping a strong work force.

7. Have you signed the Taxpayer Protection Pledge, and if not why not?

I have not, and I feel like my record speaks volumes based on how I’ve voted in the past.

I am a strong conservative and have kept my promise to the people who elected me.  But if I was a new candidate I would sign that Taxpayer Protection Pledge, as all new legislators should who run on a conservative platform.

8. Do you support repealing the “Commerce Tax? Why or why not?

I support repealing the tax. I am pro-business and I feel like the commerce tax would kill some small businesses with a state tax against them.

I put in a bill to try and freeze it during the 79th session at the $4 million cap because I was afraid the $4 million would have been lowered and would have had a large devastating effect on small businesses.

9. Do you support Education Savings Accounts, and if so will you vote for a budget that does not provide funding for them in the 2019 legislative session?

Yes, I do and was disappointed when it was taken away this session.

No, I would not vote for the budget if it doesn’t include ESA funding.

10. Do you support efforts to ban sanctuary cities in Nevada? Why or why not?

I do not support sanctuary cities in our state because criminals can hide within our state borders while not being prosecuted while living in the sanctuary city.

11. Do support requiring the presentation of a photo ID before being allowed to vote? Why or why not? 

Yes, because of voter fraud.

12. Describe your position with regard to proposals to allow state employees to unionize.

I believe in the right-to-work state and will continue to support Nevada’s right to work.

13. What is your position on increasing Nevada’s minimum wage?

Minimum wage should be controlled by the workforce and government-imposed increases cause reductions in the workforce.

14. Do you support repealing Nevada’s constitutional ban on lotteries, and if so where or how would you earmark the revenue generated?

Yes, because it could be a source of income generated by the sale of the lottery tickets. The revenue should go into rebuilding state highway funds.

15. Should Gov. Sandoval’s expansion of Medicaid be rolled back? Why or why not?

Obama care at its worst.  Yes, it needs to be rolled back because of the cost to the people.

16. Should government employees be allowed to serve in the Legislature? Why or why not?

Not if there are double-dipping salaries.  That’s a cost back to the public.

17. Would you support legislation requiring that ALL bills be posted on the Internet in their entirety at least 48 hours before being voted on? Why or why not?

Yes, because you receive bills at the last minute and it’s hard to digest all the information at once. Also, concerned constituents will be able to voice their opinion better in this type of matter.

18. What is your position on using tax incentives to lure businesses to Nevada?

I had to vote on tax incentives in order to take parts of the bill out that would have been devastating to the people of Nevada.  But I do not encourage such tax incentives.

19. Do you support “campus carry” legislation allowing licensed CCW permit holders over the age of 21 to carry their weapons on Nevada’s college and university campuses? Would you extend the same right to secondary school campuses?

Absolutely. I believe every person has a God-given right to protect themselves at whatever costs. I also put in a BDR this session for constitutional carry again.

20. If there is any issue that you are concerned about that has not been addressed in this interview, this is your opportunity to address it:

Ellison:  I’ll just end with this quote:  “Those that turn their guns into plows, will soon plow for those with guns.”