A Hometown Boy Who Served Nevada Proudly
“I rise in honor of a life we lost on Sunday that was very important to the state of Nevada, the legacy of Senator Mike McGinness who passed away in Fallon, who hailed from my district,” Senator Robin Titus declared on the Senate floor Monday, her voice heavy with emotion.
A true son of the Silver State, McGinness, 77, spent his entire life in Fallon, leaving only briefly for military service and to attend the University of Nevada, Reno. After a lengthy illness, he passed away in his beloved hometown, having remained deeply connected to his community until his final days.
Senator Titus said:
“While words seem small in the face of this loss, I want to take this moment to reflect on this incredible impact that this guy had on both of these chambers and the state of Nevada,”
A Life of Service and Leadership
For 24 years, Mike McGinness served Nevada with distinction, first winning election to the Assembly in 1988, then moving to the Senate in 1992 where he served until 2012. In his final year of service, he held the position of Senate minority leader from 2011 to 2012.
Senator Titus reflected:
“Senator McGinness was not only a tireless advocate for his constituents, but actually a voice of reason, compassion, and integrity in all matters. It wasn’t just his work that defined who he was, it was his character.
He was known for listening with patience and speaking with honesty, his ability to bring people together, to bridge divides and put the needs of Nevadans first.”
More Than a Politician
Beyond his legislative service, McGinness was a fixture in Nevada’s rural life as the owner of KVLV radio station in Fallon. Senator Titus shared a personal memory:
“When I was a kid we could hardly get any radio stations but by God we could get Fallon’s country music station. He had the FM and the AM stations.”
This connection to local media gave him a unique understanding of rural Nevada’s needs and challenges. Along with his beloved wife Deanna (“Dee”) and their three children—Ryan, Brett, and Shannon—he remained deeply rooted in the community he served.
A Distinguished Legislative Career
During his time in Carson City, McGinness chaired several crucial committees, including the Legislative Committee on Public Lands and the Committee on High-Level Radioactive Waste. His leadership was marked by a balanced approach to complex issues, from public lands management to environmental challenges.
When Fallon faced a childhood leukemia cluster, McGinness showed the kind of leadership that defined his career – thoughtful, measured, and focused on community needs. His work on high-level radioactive waste demonstrated his ability to navigate technically complex issues while protecting Nevada’s interests.
A Lasting Legacy
McGinness’s 2017 induction into the Senate Hall of Fame stands as a testament to his distinguished service and the respect he earned from colleagues across the political spectrum. His passing marks the end of an era in Nevada politics, but as Senator Titus noted, his legacy lives on in “a lesson that we will all carry with us.”
As Nevada mourns the loss of this dedicated public servant, Senator Titus’s closing words ring true:
“He was a good Nevada son and he will be sorely missed.”
Former GOP Senate leader Sen. Mike McGinness died Sunday after a long illness.
Sen. Robin Titus recognized McGinness on the floor of the Senate today. pic.twitter.com/EoQehbkroC
— Tabitha Mueller (@tabitha_mueller) February 10, 2025
The Senate chamber’s request to keep his family in their thoughts and prayers echoes across the state he served so well.
This article was written with the assistance of AI. Please verify information and consult additional sources as needed.
