(Dr. Aury Nagy) – Throughout my life, I have found that I share many of the same beliefs that inspired both President Ronald Reagan and President Donald Trump: a deep love for this great country, a belief in limited government and states' rights, a commitment to the sanctity of life, the conviction that lower taxes and less regulation grow our economy, and the understanding that the Second Amendment is an essential constitutional right.
There is one other important thing we have in common. All three of us came to the realization that the modern Democratic Party had moved away from the values we believed in.
President Reagan famously said, “I didn't leave the Democratic Party; the party left me.” President Trump also found a home in the Republican Party after recognizing that his principles aligned more closely with conservative values.
Imagine what the Republican Party would look like today if Ronald Reagan or Donald Trump had been told they were not welcome because they had once been Democrats. I am certainly not comparing myself to either of those great presidents, but I am proud to say that we share many of the same conservative principles that led us to make the same decision.
And I am far from alone here in Nevada. Since 2020, Republican voter registration has grown by more than 50,000 voters, while Democratic registration has declined by more than 36,000. That shift helped make Nevada a Republican voter registration state.
Those new Republicans should not be viewed with suspicion or treated as outsiders. They should be welcomed with open arms, because they are choosing the values that unite us.
There are countless Americans who are struggling to recognize the party they once belonged to. They see policies they cannot support—open borders, rising crime, biological men competing in women's sports and entering women's private spaces, and a growing disconnect from the everyday concerns of working families. Many of them are looking for a political home that better reflects their values and their love of country.
As Republicans, we should invite them to join us. A stronger movement is built not by closing the door, but by opening it to those who share our commitment to freedom, opportunity, and the American dream.
As we head toward Election Day, I want to sincerely thank the many Republicans across Clark County who have welcomed me into the party with friendship and encouragement. Your support has meant more than you know.
And to the critics and the self-appointed gatekeepers, I have a simple message: take your best shot. I'm not going anywhere.
The opinions expressed by contributors are their own and do not necessarily represent the views of Nevada News & Views. Dr. Aury Nagy is a Republican candidate for Congress in Nevada's 3rd District.
