Hickey Throws Experienced Hat in Assembly Ring

(NN&V Staff) – Former Republican state legislator Pat Hickey announced his campaign for Assembly Seat 25 in Reno on Thursday, as he filed for the June 8th primary election at the Washoe County Registrar of Voters. The seat is being vacated by Republican Minority Leader Heidi Gansert.

Hickey, who served in the Assembly in the 1997 Session, is a business owner and has worked as a journalist and conservative political columnist covering legislative issues.

“I will go to Carson as a sensible citizen legislator prepared for the enormous budget challenges facing Nevadans in the 2011 session,” Hickey said. “We can’t tax our way out of a recession. Imposing stifling new taxes and fees is not the answer to kick-starting Nevada’s economy. An improved jobs market will go a long way in generating the necessary revenues to support vital institutions like UNR and the state’s essential social services.”

“Growing jobs is the answer, NOT growing government,” Hickey said.

As a local business owner and current member of the Reno-Sparks Chamber of Commerce and the National Federation of Independent Business, Hickey says he understands the importance of listening to both public and private employers before making decisions on state policy. He also believes the Legislature should adopt the pay-as-you-go principle of only spending a dollar if it saves a dollar elsewhere for any new state programs.

“Entitlement spending has to be reigned in, or Nevada will be broke like California,” Hickey said.

If elected, the Reno Republican said he intends to introduce groundbreaking legislation to mitigate the costs illegal immigration has placed on Nevada’s social services networks.

Hickey is a fourth generation Nevadan whose four children all attended Bishop Manogue High School. Along with operating a business, Hickey received his Masters degree from the UNR School of Journalism and has worked for the Nevada Appeal, the Nevada Business Journal and KOH and KNEWS Radio, reporting on state politics.

He has lived in District 25 for the past 10 years, is married to Shin and has four children; Johnmin, Shinae, Daemin and Hannah.