Assembly District 35 is located in southwest Las Vegas. There are two candidates in this GOP primary race – Brent Jones and Mike Bajorek. Bajorek did not respond to this interview.
1. Give a brief summation of your professional and political background.
After earning a Bachelor of Science degree in Business Administration, Finance and Real Estate, Brent attended and graduated from Pepperdine University School of Law with a Juris Doctorate. Brent started his law career with an emphasis on business. As a lawyer, Brent worked on a number of successful business start-ups. Realizing he has always been a businessman at heart, Brent stopped practicing law and returned to business fulltime. Brent is the Founder and President of Real Water, a growing local Las Vegas business.
I have been a lifelong Republican. The principles of freedom, liberty and limited government have always drawn my attention. Being a businessman, I understand that free markets and competition drive prosperity, not more government. I believe and stand on the Constitution and see it as our saving grace from a government too big and out of control. Basically, I would just like to live in a world free from government intrusion into every aspect of my daily life. I believe in the pursuit of happiness, working hard and enjoying the fruits of my labor and sharing those fruits with whom I choose to share. I do not support a government that promotes income redistribution and do believe it undermines the middle class.
2. Define your district – geographic boundaries, demographic makeup, and political balance.
AD 35 is in the Southwest part of Las Vegas. Democrat Registration: 11,387; Republican Registration 9,610; IAP Registration 1,465; NP Registration 6,210.
3. If this is your first time running for office (or this position), why are you running for this position? If you are an incumbent, what have been your top accomplishments as a legislator?
No this is not my first time running, I ran for Nevada Senate 9 in 2012. I lost in the primary. I will bring my experience, not only practical business and budgeting experience, but the experience of how government is restricting growth from a business perspective. I have lived through and have firsthand knowledge of how taxation and regulations hinder rather than promote opportunity, success, and how this prevents businesses from coming or starting up in Nevada. I want to change this and will be a diehard voice for limited government, free markets and competition. These three components are essential for true economic growth and prosperity. As a legislator, I would like to do a complete audit of business regulations with an emphasis on discarding as many as possible so Nevada can be a business friendly state with diverse opportunities. This absolutely can be achieved!
4. What makes you more qualified to serve in this position than your opponent?
My business experience, knowing how to budget is my strength. While I no longer practice law, I believe this gives me and edge in understanding legislation language.
5. There is a well-publicized, on-going philosophical split among many in the Republican Party. Describe your political philosophy in relation to this ‘moderate’ conservative versus ‘tea party’ conservative divide.
Politics often brings an array of different views. This is most apparent today within the Republican Party here in Nevada. Republicans want to win, and the members have different views on how to best accomplish this goal. While we have differences, we also do have agreement. I like to focus on those agreements. I have been a lifelong Republican. The principles of freedom, liberty and limited government have always drawn my attention. Being a businessman, I understand that free markets and competition drive prosperity, not more government. I believe and stand on the Constitution and see it as our saving grace from a government too big and out of control. I consider myself a conservative and believe the Tea Party as well as the Liberty groups have much to offer the Republican Party and see their participation as an opportunity to win elections.
6. What do you see as the three most important issues related to your district?
• Our second amendment rights are under attack by the current Senator in Assembly district 35. This particular issue will be in the forefront this election cycle. I firmly believe that our Second Amendment rights must not be infringed.
• School Choice is another important issue. Parents must have the right to choose how their child is educated.
• Working on making Nevada more business friendly will create jobs. This is by far the most important issue. Nevada needs jobs.
7. What do you see as the top three legislative priorities?
• Ending government over regulation and taxation that causes job loss.
• School choice and education improvements must be implemented.
• A common sense healthcare proposal other than Obamacare/Silver State Healthcare Exchanges. District 35 constituents are looking for a better way to fix our healthcare issue.
• Working on making Nevada more business friendly, “including not raising taxes will create jobs”.
8. What is your position in regards to the taxes imposed in 2009 that were to ‘sunset’ in 2011, but were re-approved by the 2011 and 2013 legislature?
The continued extension is yet another outrage by current Republicans who campaigned and promised to “Sunset” these taxes. They need to sunset as promised.
9. Describe how you would address improving the performance of Nevada’s public schools.
School Choice, Your Child, Your Choice! This could include school parent triggers for under performing schools. I support Charter Schools. The more choice and competition a parent has, the better the system will work. Our Teachers Unions have had long enough to correct the problem and the cry for “more money” has not worked. We need school choice and let the tax dollars follow the student.
10. To what degree should the State support Charter Schools and those students opting to attend a school outside their district?
I believe the State should support Charter Schools and allow students to attend the best school they can find in any district 100%
11. The State Legislature has found innovative ways to circumvent the state law banning the passing down of unfunded mandates to local governing entities. What is your position in regards to using such actions to fund state needs?
I find it unacceptable and yet another example of a government out of touch with their bounds.
12. Describe your position in regards to Nevada’s Right to Work law and unionization of State employees.
I support the right to work. The unionization of State employees is not sustainable with the pensions and benefits, and they are bankrupting our State.
13. What is your position in regards to increasing Nevada’s minimum wage?
I disagree with raising the minimum wage. It is a false and misleading solution. History has proven time and again that free markets and competition with less government control creates a prosperous economy with more jobs and higher wages.
14. Do you believe the gaming and mining industries pay ‘their fair share’ in contributing to the state’s economy? Explain.
Yes, I believe both pay enough taxes and absolutely pay their “fair share”
15. In 1979 Nevada passed a bill legalizing the use of marijuana for medical purposes. It was repealed eight years later (1987). What is your position in regards to Nevada once again legalizing the use of marijuana for medical purposes? Legalizing the sale of marijuana, period?
I believe it has a purpose medically and the patient and doctor should determine if it is the best solution. Many times marijuana can help those in chronic pain and certainly should be an alternative to drugs such as OxyContin and others that have shown to be both addictive and dangerous.
16. What is your view of the implementation of the Affordable Care Act in Nevada?
Totally against ACA as are the people of my district as well as the majority of the state. I will work to find alternatives to the ACA that will be both affordable and desired.
17. Define you position on fracking and other means of oil exploration in Nevada. Do you support coal fired plants?
I do support coal fired plants, oil exploration, fracking and all methods that can lower cost and provide the energy we need. All of these methods can and are done in an environmentally safe way and we should use all possibilities when it comes to lowering cost and creating jobs.
18. In efforts to bring new businesses to Nevada, the Catalyst Fund was established. This is funded by state tax dollars. The Governor’s Office of Economic Development receives and then votes on applications from businesses and, through local governmental entities, subsidizes those selected. What is your position in regards to the Catalyst Fund? Do you have other ideas to encourage new businesses to locate in Nevada?
I oppose the government picking and choosing winners and losers. Free enterprise and markets must be allowed to flourish without government interference. The catalyst fund should be abolished and the savings returned to the taxpayers. Businesses will come to Nevada when there is an overall positive business environment, not when government officials try to pick winners and losers.
19. Do you support “campus carry” legislation allowing licensed CCW permit holders over the age of 21 to carry their weapons on Nevada college and university campuses? Would you extend the same right to secondary school campuses?
Yes I support campus carry legislation; adults with permits should not be barred from this right. No, I would not support legislation to secondary school campuses.
These interviews are posted on Nevada News & Views (www.nevadanewsandviews.com) and/or NewsDesk by Nancy Dallas (www.ndbynd.com). Reposting of any interview by interested parties must include the disclaimer the interview was originally posted in the above publications. Only those Republican races with a Primary contest are being addressed. Questions or comments may be directed to Nancy Dallas at nancy@nancydallas.com or 775-847-0129.
