Las Vegas, NV – Author, small businesswoman, and Republican grassroots activist Erica Neely officially announced her campaign for Nevada Assembly District 9 last night, returning to the political arena for what she calls “unfinished business” after nearly unseating Democrat Assembly Speaker Steve Yeager in 2024.
Neely, a first-generation American, shocked Nevada’s political establishment last cycle when she came within striking distance of defeating one of the most powerful Democrats in the state despite being outspent nearly 20 to 1.
Yeager raised almost a million dollars. Neely ran with just $48,000 and what she calls “a rag-tag team of volunteers with more grit than resources.”
“We took the hits, got knocked down, and kept going,” Neely said. “And together, we scared the political machine so badly that the Speaker himself quit the district rather than face us again.”
Neely formally launched her campaign at the Battle Born Republican Women’s monthly meeting as both a thank-you for their previous support and a promise.
“This is our rematch,” Neely said. “And this time, we’re going to win the whole thing.”
A Fighter Shaped by Real Life, Not Politics
Neely’s message to voters centers on safety, parental rights, affordability, and restoring accountability to state government. She says her motivation isn’t political, it’s personal.
A mother and small-business owner, Neely has worked with families across Clark County through youth sports, entrepreneurship, and as founder of the Hispanic Latin Alliance. She says those experiences, along with her own family’s challenges, fuel her campaign.
“A judge once called my daughter ‘property of the state.’ That changes you,” Neely told supporters. “No Nevada family should ever feel owned by their government.”
Neely has authored a new book – “Fighting for Sophia” – detailing her nightmare experience with the courts and bureaucracy in adopting her daughter – and signed copies at the meeting.
Free copies are available at: fightingforsophia.com.
A Campaign Focused on Families and Accountability
Neely says her campaign will prioritize:
- Public safety so families can feel safe walking to their car, mailbox, or front door
• Education reform so children can read, write, and succeed instead of being passed along
• Lowering the cost of living so families don’t need a second job just to keep the lights on
• Protecting parental rights in schools and state systems
• Responsible government spending and transparency
“If you want safer neighborhoods, I’m fighting for that. If you want schools that listen to parents, I’m fighting for that. If you want a government that works for you instead of against you, I’m fighting for that too.”
“Moms Don’t Quit”
Neely framed her return to the campaign trail as a promise – to the district, to her volunteers, and to every Nevada mom who’s ever been underestimated.
“Money doesn’t beat heart,” she said. “Power doesn’t beat grit. And political experts have no idea what happens when strong women decide enough is enough.”
With Yeager exiting the race, Neely says District 9 is wide open and ready for real leadership.
“We proved last year that District 9 can be won,” she said. “Now we finish what we started.”
Learn More
More information about Erica Neely for Assembly District 9, including volunteer opportunities and campaign updates, is available at:
https://www.neelyfornevada.com
