With the start of a new year – and Trump Era II about to begin – Nevada conservatives, some with tongues planted firmly in cheek, peered into the crystal ball and offered some predictions on what might lie in store for the next 12 months.
Serious Predictions:
Assemblywoman Danielle Gallant (R-Clark County) isn’t very optimistic about the upcoming session of the Nevada Legislature, predicting that “Democrats will kill school choice…..again” and “not much will get done this session” because “Democrats are not going to give Gov. Lombardo any wins.”
Nevada News & Views publisher Chuck Muth seconds that emotion, predicting that “Gov. Lombardo will continue to try to find compromise but Democrats will continue to demand his head on a platter and his proposals will be watered down at best.”
He also predicts there will be a concerted effort by Democrat leaders to try to drive a wedge between the GOP governor and the two GOP legislative caucuses.
He added that some naive conservatives will continue to criticize Lombardo for not achieving more conservative results like Texas Gov. Abbott and Florida Gov. DeSantis without acknowledging that “those two governors have REPUBLICAN-majority legislatures.”
Education and Politics
With conservatives gaining three seats and a current Democratic CCSD board member resigning before the peaceful transfer of power, Hispanic Liberty Alliance Director Erica Neeley predicts that legislative Democrats will focus on reclaiming the narrative of being the “party of education for all.”
She foresees Democrats framing their stance as being :
“for the single mother, for working mothers, and for all people regardless of their zip code or skin color—aka for the undocumented.”
Neeley also anticipates another current CCSD board member resigning, further shaking up the local education landscape.
Assemblywoman Jill Dickman adds that, with Aaron Ford running for governor, Nicole Cannizzaro will likely run for Attorney General.
However, she predicts the Democratic-controlled legislature will continue to prioritize partisan politics over the will of the people, making necessary reforms to election integrity, crime reduction, and school choice difficult.
Dickman says the result will be a predictable blame game, saying:
“Republicans will be blamed for school children being denied lunch and we will witness how far common sense can be pushed off a cliff. “
Infrastructure and Crime
Nevada residents can expect an increase in orange cones across the valley, signaling more road construction and infrastructure projects, predicts Neely.
However, Neeley warns that a rise in smash-and-grab crimes will add to the frustrations of Clark County residents.
She asks:
“And who will the Democrats blame for the state’s direction? You guessed it—Governor Lombardo.”
Immigration
On immigration, Governor Joe Lombardo previously stated his support for President Trump’s deportation efforts. However, Neeley predicts he will backtrack on this promise, fearing the potential impact on his bid for re-election.
Bonus Prediction
NN&V writer Brittany Sheehan predicts that former Governor Steve Sisolak will shake up Nevada’s political landscape by launching a bid to reclaim the governor’s mansion, setting up a contentious 2026 Democratic primary against current Attorney General Aaron Ford.
Sisolak positions himself as a centrist alternative to Ford’s divisive identity politics, but Ford counters by sharply criticizing Sisolak’s handling of the pandemic, reminding voters that Stevey was a “Branch Covidian.”
In the leadup to the doomed Dem duel, Sisolak will start making public appearances, though not at any parades in Boulder City.
Humorous Predictions:
Legislative Hijinks
Freshman Assemblywoman Lisa Cole sounded like a legislative veteran when she predicted that “some Republican lawmakers may need to…
- Be talked off the ledge by friends/family members;
- Be walked home by friends/lobbyists/leg police after a night at the Bank (for those who use wine and vodka as preferred coping skills);
- Run to the store for quick treats for their emotional support animals they bring to Carson City;
- Re-read Chuck Muth emails to find the laughter in the crazy;
- Be placed on multiple prayer lists across the country.”
Assemblywoman Dickman looks forward to the legislative session, saying:
“Ah, the Demoncrat-controlled Nevada Legislature, where they work so hard to solve every problem, except the ones that anyone cares about”
She predicts that they will implement:
- Tourist Tax: Every tourist gets a free slot machine spin upon entering the state. Jackpot wins are taxed at 110%.
- Nevada Etiquette Exam: Anyone wishing to move to Nevada must first pass an exam, with the first question being, “How do you pronounce Nevada?”
Muth adds that Assembly Speaker Steve Yeager will again buy donuts for everybody, “except Assemblywoman Heidi Kasama, Assemblywoman Danielle Gallant and Gov. Lombardo.”
Blom Bombs Take Off
Sheehan humorously predicts that in response to new regulations targeting marijuana odor, Tick Segerblom will announce a new line of cannabis suppositories under the brand name “Blom Bombs.” The marketing campaign boasts the slogan, “Plug into relief.”
Sales skyrocket among adventurous users, and Tick’s influence reaches new heights as Nevada’s most iconic Democrat, leading to the renaming of the airport in his honor: Sky High Segerblom.
