Danny Tarkanian – a two-term Douglas County Commissioner and longtime conservative advocate – just launched his campaign for Nevada Attorney General.
And he’s not mincing words about why he’s running.
“Our state’s at a crossroads,” Tarkanian said in a campaign announcement Tuesday. “People don’t feel safe. Criminals are getting a free pass. And government keeps trampling on our rights. That has to stop.”
Tarkanian, a lawyer and son of legendary UNLV basketball coach Jerry Tarkanian, is making his pitch to voters by drawing a sharp contrast with how the Attorney General’s office has been run in recent years.
He says the job isn’t about politics. It’s about protecting people.
“I won’t flinch. I’ll fight for justice, for safety, and for freedom,” he said.
Crime is on the rise in many parts of Nevada. In Las Vegas alone, violent crime went up nearly 10% from 2022 to 2023, according to Metro Police reports.
Tarkanian says weak legislative leadership and soft-on-crime policies are part of the problem.
“The people doing the crime need to be the ones paying the price – not law-abiding citizens,” Tarkanian said in a recent radio interview.
He says as Attorney General, he’ll crack down on repeat offenders, push back against “catch and release” policies, and make sure law enforcement has the tools and backup they need.
That message may resonate with voters.
A 2024 Gallup poll showed that 58% of Americans believe their local criminal justice system is “too lenient” on criminals.
Among conservatives, that number jumps to 71%.
Tarkanian isn’t new to public service. He was first elected to the Douglas County Commission in 2020 and reelected in 2024.
During that time, he’s been known for cutting government red tape, defending property rights, and working closely with local law enforcement on community-based safety programs.
He’s also been active outside politics.
He runs the Tarkanian Basketball Academy, a nonprofit that’s helped thousands of Nevada kids learn teamwork, discipline, and self-confidence through sports.
Beyond crime and safety, Tarkanian is running on a platform that includes pushing back against what he calls “left-wing lawfare” and government overreach.
He wants to stop the Attorney General’s office from being used as a political weapon and instead return it to what it was meant to be: a legal advocate for the people.
He also says too many Nevadans – especially seniors – are being taken advantage of by big insurance companies. One of his goals is to make sure the AG’s office steps in when companies delay or deny coverage unfairly.
“This isn’t about making headlines,” he said. “It’s about making things right.”
Tarkanian has strong name recognition in Nevada, thanks in part to his family’s legacy and his own past campaigns.
He’s run for Congress and U.S. Senate before, but this time says the Attorney General’s office is where he can make the biggest difference.
He also strongly supports Governor Joe Lombardo’s agenda and says he’ll work to protect it from partisan attacks.
“Nevada needs someone in the Attorney General’s office who’s not afraid to say no – to the feds, to the radicals, to anyone trying to trample on our rights,” he said.
Not everyone agrees with Tarkanian’s approach.
Some Democrats and progressive groups have criticized his past stances on immigration and his close alignment with conservative activists.
They argue that his views are too extreme for a job that’s supposed to be fair and impartial.
But Tarkanian says real fairness means standing up for the law – even when it’s hard.
“I don’t play games. I don’t bow to pressure. I’ve always stood up for what’s right, and I won’t stop now,” he said.
The Republican primary for Attorney General is expected to be competitive, with more candidates possibly entering the race in the coming weeks.
But with his strong name ID, conservative track record, and passionate base of support, Tarkanian is likely to be a top contender.
His campaign website, TarkforNevada.com, launched this week with more information on his platform and a call to action for supporters.
As the 2026 election cycle ramps up, one thing is clear: Danny Tarkanian is ready to fight.
And he’s betting that Nevadans are ready for someone who will fight for them.
This article was written with the assistance of AI. Please verify information and consult additional sources as needed.
