Maria Thompson’s run for Nevada State Senate District 9 is already turning heads.
People know the district is competitive.
They also know the seat has been held for years by Sen. Melanie Scheibel, whose voting record often lands far from where most conservative and independent voters stand on issues like crime, taxes, and family values.
Thompson sees an opening, and it’s clear why.
She isn’t a typical first-time candidate. She’s a former journalist who saw up close how government works and how often it fails regular families.
She came to Las Vegas in 2017, produced the evening news for KSNV, and reported on schools, public safety, and local government.
Her work earned state and regional awards. But the stories she uncovered pushed her toward something else.
She went to law school, graduated in the top 5 percent at UNLV, and became an attorney who defends Nevada businesses, doctors, hospitals, and even our tourism industry.
That background gives her something rare in politics today. She knows how to explain problems in plain language. And she knows how to fix them.
Why This Race Matters
District 9 covers parts of Enterprise, Spring Valley, and the southwest valley. It’s the kind of area where families worry about crime, school quality, and the cost of living.
These issues helped Gov. Joe Lombardo win statewide. And they’re the same issues where Scheibel has stood on the opposite side of most conservative and independent voters.
Thompson says she’s running to put Nevadans first. Not party bosses. Not national groups. Just the people who live here.
Her platform is simple. Better schools for kids. More healthcare access. A safer community. More accountability from leaders who forget who they work for.
For a lot of voters, that message isn’t just welcome. It’s overdue.
Scheibel’s Record Isn’t Helping Her
Sen. Scheibel is smart and skilled, but her record is one that conservative and swing voters in District 9 have questioned for years.
She backed SB131, a law protecting out-of-state abortion providers. She also supported SJR7, the proposal to lock abortion into the state constitution.
Both went far beyond what many Nevada parents support.
On guns and public safety, she sponsored SB347, a bill giving the government power to grab a citizen’s guns on the spot, without a judge, without a hearing, and without due-process protections that constitutional rights demand.
Gun rights groups have called it a back-door “red flag” process without proper due process protections. She also supported other gun restrictions that Gov. Lombardo later vetoed.
Her votes on gender-identity policy have also raised eyebrows.
She pushed SB163, forcing public and private insurers to cover gender-affirming treatments.
She also carried SB141, requiring jails and prisons to adopt new housing rules for transgender inmates.
These bills passed on party-line votes and have been criticized by conservatives who want fewer mandates and more focus on crime victims.
Even on basic insurance laws, Scheibel has voted to add new mandates that raise costs for families and small businesses.
SB352 expanded non-discrimination rules tied to gender identity and expression. Critics say it pushes Nevada further down a progressive policy path that doesn’t match the values of District 9.
Why Thompson Can Win
Thompson enters the race with something Republicans haven’t always had in this district: a strong communicator with a real track record of work in the community.
She’s defended Nevada businesses. She’s dug into education and justice issues. And she’s focused her campaign on problems that voters talk about at their kitchen tables.
Nevada’s political map is shifting. Lombardo proved voters are open to candidates who are serious about public safety, smart with money, and willing to push back against heavy government control.
Thompson fits that mold. She’s disciplined, relatable, and understands how policy hits real people.
For conservatives, she’s the strongest challenger Scheibel has faced. And for a district ready for a new direction, she may be exactly the right fit at exactly the right time.
The opinions expressed by contributors are their own and do not necessarily represent the views of Nevada News & Views. Digital technology was used in the research, writing, and production of this article. Please verify information and consult additional sources as needed.
