Some politicians talk about being conservative. Others prove it when it counts.
Former Nevada State Sen. James Settelmeyer falls squarely in the second group.
Lately, some critics have tried to paint Settelmeyer as “not conservative enough.” That’s a serious charge in a Republican primary.
But when you look at the facts, the argument doesn’t hold up. Not even close.
In fact, Settelmeyer led one of the most important taxpayer victories in recent Nevada history.
Back in 2019, Democrats in Carson City – led by Sen. Nicole Cannizzaro and Gov. Steve Sisolak – passed two measures that brought in more government revenue without getting the two-thirds vote required by the Nevada Constitution.
That rule isn’t optional. It’s there to protect taxpayers. If lawmakers want to raise money through taxes or fees, they need broad support. Not just a simple majority.
But that didn’t happen.
One of the bills extended a $1 DMV “technology fee” that was supposed to expire. That extension alone would have pulled in about $14 million more from Nevadans’ pockets.
The second bill was even worse. It stopped a planned tax cut and kept the higher payroll tax in place, pulling nearly $100 million more out of Nevada workers and businesses.
That’s real money. Not government money. YOUR money.
Instead of letting it slide, Settelmeyer took action. He filed a lawsuit challenging both measures.
That case, Legislature of the State of Nevada v. Settelmeyer, went all the way to the Nevada Supreme Court.
And the result?
A unanimous decision in favor of taxpayers.
The court ruled that both bills violated the Constitution because they generated more revenue without the required two thirds vote.
This wasn’t a close call. It wasn’t a split decision. Every justice agreed.
The ruling forced the state to stop collecting the extra DMV fee and even set up refunds for money already taken from drivers.
That’s not theory. That’s not talk. That’s action.
When it came to one of the biggest tests of fiscal responsibility in recent years, Settelmeyer didn’t hedge. He didn’t compromise. He didn’t go along to get along.
He fought back. And he won. That matters. Because in Nevada, we’ve seen exactly what happens when politicians think they can get away with it.
They call tax hikes “fees.” They extend programs that were supposed to end. They block tax cuts that were already on the books. And they hope no one notices.
Settelmeyer noticed. More importantly, he did something about it.
He didn’t just vote no and move on. He went to court and forced the system to follow the law. That’s what standing up for taxpayers looks like.
And that’s why these attacks don’t land the way his opponents think they will.
At the end of the day, labels don’t mean much. Records do. And Settelmeyer’s record shows a clear willingness to take on government overreach, even when it’s not easy.
In a world full of cheap talk and empty promises, that kind of backbone isn’t just rare. It’s priceless.
Mr. Enos is president of the Battle Born Nevadan PAC and CEO of the Nevada Trucking Association.
