Dear friends, let me tell you a story…
There are issues that split Democrats and Republicans. There are issues that split moderate Republicans and conservative Republicans.
And then there are some rare issues that split conservatives with other conservatives – where a conservative case can be made by both sides. THOSE are the really tough ones.
Indeed, back in the 2021 legislative session – my first session as a member of the State Assembly – a very emotionally-charged bill was proposed to legalize assisted suicide.
And, yep, there were good conservative arguments on both sides. So I decided to do something that some of my colleagues thought was really weird . . .
I asked for YOUR advice.
I didn’t think it was weird at all. I was representing YOU, so why shouldn’t I ask YOU what YOU thought, right?
And the response was not only huge, but extremely helpful – even though the bill never came up for a vote.
Well, here we go again.
As you may know, Assemblyman Toby Yurek – who was elected to my seat after I left for an unsuccessful run for Congress (hey, you miss 100% of the shots you don’t take, right?) – quit on us just weeks before the recently concluded special session.
Republican Assembly Minority Leader Greg Hafen and the GOP establishment tapped a moderate attorney, Jason Patchett, to fill the vacancy, and the Clark County commission – consisting of 6 out 7 Democrats – rubber-stamped the selection.
He then proceeded to vote for the billion-dollar-plus Hollywood studio bill – just as the political establishment and Carson City lobbyists wanted.
My former campaign manager, Chuck Muth, detailed this whole situation in an article in Nevada News & Views yesterday. You can read it here.
And this is where you come in.
Chuck and many others have encouraged me to run for my old seat. And to be honest, I’m seriously considering it.
However, it’s a tough call. I have a thriving business as a real estate agent – which I LOVE! – and I know full well the toll serving in the Legislature takes on entrepreneurs.
But I’ve done it before and I can do it again.
In addition, Mr. Patchett is clearly the “establishment’s” pick.
He’s likely to have the backing of Gov. Lombardo’s political team – and might even get the governor’s endorsement, as well as Assemblyman Yurek’s endorsement – and financial support from big establishment donors.
I’d be the underdog David against the giant Goliath. But I’ve done it before and I can do it again.
Mr. Patchett’s also going to get a lot of sympathy from voters because he lost a son in a horrible traffic accident which ultimately led to the passage last session of “Rex’s Law,” named after his son.
But while I feel deeply for Mr. Patchett’s loss, I also feel District 19 should be represented by an experienced conservative who will FIGHT the Democrats and rock the boat rather than go along with whatever the establishment and Carson City lobbyists want.
I’ve done that before, too, and would do it again.
So I’m coming to you.
What do YOU think? Would you be satisfied with Mr. Patchett representing you in Carson City for a full term – or should I suit up and run to represent you again?
And I need to make this decision sooner rather than later. It’ll be a tough race and I’m going to need to start fundraising almost immediately if I’m going to go up against “the machine.”
So shoot your thoughts, opinions, and advice ASAP to annie@annieblack.com.
And whatever I decide, please know it was the honor of a lifetime representing you during that extremely difficult “COVID session” in 2021, and my appreciation for your support in the past knows no bounds.
Thank you for taking time out of your day to read this.
Annie
