CD2 spans the northern half of Nevada, from Utah to California. It’s one of the largest and most unique congressional districts in the United States.
This race has been contentious, with much being said about Settelmeyer’s record by individuals who weren’t present and lack a voting record. I’d like to address some of these falsehoods.
First of all, how would I know?
Unlike national organizations, rival candidates, random people from Las Vegas, or even President Trump, I was in the room.
Why? Because James Settelmeyer is an honest, fair legislator who always made time for Nevada Right to Life.
I remember the first time I met with him. I didn’t like what he told me. Basically, your bill is going nowhere. The governor doesn’t like it.
As a brand new lobbyist, it would be easy to blame the bearer of bad news. What I learned that difficult day was it’s good to know the person who knows what’s going on and how to get stuff done.
That was over a decade ago. From that point on, if there was any legislation or initiative affecting the right to life, James was one of the first to give me a heads up.
James Settelmeyer has a voting record spanning 16 years, with approximately 800 votes cast per session.
This substantial record provides ample material for opponents to attack, especially those who haven’t voted. I’d like to address some glaring misdirections you’ve encountered in your mailbox and online.
- Settelmeyer Gave Planned Parenthood Money – FALSE
In 2019, the legislature funded the State Family Planning Account. I understand that when people hear “family planning,” they often assume abortion, and for good reason.
As the lobbyist for Nevada Right to Life, I was involved in SB94 and worked with Janine Hansen from Nevada Families to ensure that the funding would only apply to pre-fertilization contraceptives.
No abortion pills were funded. Nevada Right to Life remained neutral on this bill, as we don’t take a position on contraceptives.
The bill passed unanimously in both houses.
- Planned Parenthood Gave Settelmeyer a B+ – Misleading
Planned Parenthood’s rating of Settelmeyer as a B+ is misleading.
On Planned Parenthood’s 2019 Scorecard, seven bills were evaluated. Five of these bills focused on rural healthcare, maternal mortality review boards, protection from pre-existing conditions, and anti-discrimination in medical facilities.
5 out of 7 bills Nevada Right to Life agreed with.
Only two bills dealt with abortion: SB179 (PP’s top priority) and SJR8 Equal Rights Amendment. Let’s examine these two pieces of legislation.
SB179 weakened abortion laws, including informed consent, age verification, coercion screening, and mail-order abortion pills.
SETTELMEYER VOTED NO (NVRTL position).
SJR8 (2019) EQUAL RIGHTS AMENDMENT was the first legislative vote on the resolution to place ERA on the ballot for voters to decide in 2022.
Unfortunately, the resolution was dropped three days before the session ended. It was heard on Friday night, voted out of committee (Settelmeyer was not on the committee), and immediately voted on the Senate floor.
There was no opportunity for a fair hearing for us or the legislators.
SJR8 was reintroduced in 2021 during the COVID session, but it also lacked a fair hearing by legislators, and we as lobbyists were not allowed in the building at that time.
The phone system for online testimony was glitchy, and few of our advocates were able to call in.
Regrettably, it passed again with almost all Republicans, including Settelmeyer, voting yes.
They voted yes to allow ERA on the ballot. Many legislators at the time believed voters would be intelligent enough to vote no and that the amendment didn’t address abortion, so it wouldn’t affect abortion rights.
However, in 2022, many pro-lifers voted yes, and the amendment passed, unfortunately affecting abortion rights. [Keep this in mind as you encourage friends and neighbors to vote NO on Question 6, the abortion amendment].
It’s worth noting that SETTELMEYER VOTED NO in 2017 to SJR2, which attempted to ratify the National Equal Rights Amendment to the US Constitution.
This was a direct vote on the issue, rather than a vote to allow voters to decide.
At the end of the day, the unborn, medically marginalized, and elderly will be well served by an honest, fair, seasoned legislator from Northern Nevada.
Someone whose family, property, business, and ranch are here in Northern Nevada.
Someone who will be home most weekends to face his constituents and answer questions.
I personally endorse him without reservation.
PS – No money went to me or any organization I am affiliated with so don't even bother putting that in the comments.
I know there may be a lot of that going around this cycle, but I don't play that way. The unborn are too important.
Melissa Clement & Sen. Settelmeyer
