(Lisa Krasner) – I recognize that GOP primaries can make a lot of people uncomfortable, especially when an incumbent is being challenged, but just as Ronald Reagan challenged President Gerald Ford in 1976, I felt it necessary to challenge Assemblyman Randy Kirner this year in the Assembly District 26 race.
It’s not personal. In fact, I voted for Mr. Kirner in the past. But after watching how he voted as our representative over the past two legislative sessions I suffered a serious case of “buyer’s remorse.” I cannot in good conscience, vote for him again.
Let me assure you, that I have no intention of violating “Reagan’s 11th Commandment” in this race, but let’s be clear on exactly what that means. It means I will not attack Mr. Kirner personally. However, his voting record, is fair game…just as it was when Ronald Reagan ran against fellow Republican Gerald Ford.
And for those who may not be old enough to remember that race and believe the 11th Commandment means you can never say anything negative whatsoever about a fellow Republican, consider this entry about that 1976 primary…
“Reagan and the conservative wing of the Republican Party faulted Ford for failing to do more to assist South Vietnam and for his signing of the Helsinki Accords, which they took as implicit U.S. acceptance of Soviet domination over Eastern Europe. … Reagan began to criticize Ford openly in the summer of 1975, and formally launched his campaign against Ford in the autumn.”
In that spirit, I have been vocally critical of Mr. Kirner’s voting record, especially on the issue of tax hikes. And in that regard, let me remind everyone exactly what the 2012 Nevada Republican Party Platform says in regard to taxes…
“We strongly support those in public office who resist higher taxes and fees, and seek to reduce the size, cost and scope of government at all levels. We believe the residents of the State of Nevada are not under-taxed and that state government is not under-funded, and our current budget crisis is the result of years of overspending. We oppose raising taxes or fees of any kind to fund the current budget shortfall. We do not believe government can tax the state or the residents into prosperity.”
In violation of our party’s official platform, here are just two examples of Mr. Kirner’s voting record and his egregious votes to raise your taxes from the 2013 legislative session…
AB46 – This bill, nicknamed the “Kirner Tax,” was an effort to raise your sales tax, your property tax and the tax on our small businesses in Washoe County, but worse, was an “end run” measure designed to circumvent the Nevada Constitution. Mr. Kirner supported and voted “yes'” for this tax hike, sending it to the Washoe County Commission – which, thankfully, killed the proposal just a few months ago, despite Mr. Kirner’s public support of the tax.
SB 475 – This bill extended, for the second time, the supposed “temporary” Sunset tax increases of 2009, totaling approximately $700 million – including sales taxes, payroll taxes, vehicle registration fees and business license fees. Mr. Kirner voted “yes” , to raise your taxes.
Let me assure you – and I have done so in writing by signing the Taxpayer Protection Pledge – I will not, as your assemblywoman, vote for any further extension of these “sunset taxes” or any other tax hikes on you. I think the people of Nevada pay enough in taxes.
(Mrs. Krasner is Republican Candidate for Assembly District 26 in Washoe County, Nevada)
