You know what voters are getting really good at spotting? Fake conservatives.
A candidate campaigns as a conservative outsider, earns trust and gets elected – then disappears into the same Carson City culture they promised to fight.
Amy Groves doesn’t come across that way. She doesn’t sound like somebody trying to join the political elite.
She sounds like somebody frustrated by them – as are most conservative Republicans.
That frustration is a big reason why longtime conservative leaders are backing Amy in the race for Nevada Assembly District 19.
Take Annie Black.
Republicans in AD19 already know and love Annie. Voters elected her to represent them; she wasn't appointed by the Democrats on the Clark County Commission.
Annie fought hard for taxpayers, earning the title of Nevada's #1 conservative legislator when she served in Carson City in 2021.
She's backing Amy:
“Like me, Amy Groves is a fellow realtor and small business owner. She’s also a principled, limited-government conservative who will not bend to the will of the Carson City establishment or cave under pressure from lobbyists. As Donald Trump would say, ‘she has my complete and total endorsement’ for Nevada Assembly District 19.”
Then there’s Assemblywoman Jill Dickman (R-Washoe), rated the #1 conservative legislator for the 2025 legislative session. Here’s what she has to say about Amy:
“Amy represents exactly the kind of conservative leadership Nevada needs more of: strong, independent, and grounded in real private-sector experience. She knows what it takes to meet a payroll, manage budgets, and make tough decisions outside the political bubble. Voters can count on Amy to fight for taxpayers, defend conservative values, and stand up to the Carson City establishment.”
Indeed, Republican voters have seen plenty of politicians bend under pressure, especially during the most recent battle over the “Hollywood Handout” film tax credit proposal.
Nevadans were left asking why their elected officials were fighting so hard to give billions in tax breaks to giant movie studios – already worth millions – while voters struggle to afford groceries.
Former GOP chairman and state senate candidate George Harris – a prominent and vocal leader against the Hollywood Handout – says Amy understands that frustration without needing to have it explained.
“Amy Groves gets what career politicians never seem to: taxpayers are tapped out. Nevada families are struggling to pay for groceries, gas, and rent, and Carson City wants to hand billions to Hollywood studios? It’s ridiculous. Amy will fight this Hollywood Handout because taxpayer money belongs in the pockets of Nevadans, not California movie executives.”
This whole debate has exposed a pretty clear difference in thinking.
Some politicians see taxpayer dollars as just sitting there, waiting to be handed out. Voters see it as money they’d rather keep in their own pockets.
Amy’s position is pretty simple: Government already spends too much money. She doesn’t think Nevada taxpayers should be bankrolling giant Hollywood studios on top of everything else they already pay for.
So while some politicians were trying to justify billions for movie studios, Amy was signing the Taxpayer Protection Pledge and making clear where she stood.
Chuck Muth, also a former GOP chairman, has this to say:
“Amy Groves made a clear commitment to taxpayers when she signed the Taxpayer Protection Pledge. Jason Patchett refuses to. If a politician won’t promise to vote against raising taxes, they probably plan to. I'm endorsing Amy.”
Again, pretty straightforward.
And then there’s crime. You can argue all day about statistics, but people know what they're seeing.
Stores lock up deodorant like it’s jewelry. Parents think twice before letting their kids ride bikes around the block. They remind their teens not to stop for gas alone late at night.
Endorsements from Sheriff Kevin McMahill, former Chief Deputy District Attorney Bernie Zadrowski, and former District Court Judge Richard Scotti give voters a pretty strong reason to believe Amy understands what’s really at stake.
“Law enforcement needs strong leaders in Carson City who will give officers the tools they need to protect our communities,” McMahill said. “Amy Groves is one of those leaders.”
Zadrowski says Amy understands that when public safety starts breaking down, regular families feel it.
“Amy Groves understands that when crime rises, working families pay the price first,” Zadrowski said. “She supports stronger public safety policies, accountability for criminals, and giving law enforcement the tools they need to protect Nevada communities.”
Scotti says voters are looking for more common sense from government again.
“Amy Groves brings common sense back to the conversation,” Judge Scotti said. “She understands that government’s first responsibility is protecting its citizens, supporting the rule of law, and making sure families can feel safe in their own communities again.”
These aren’t people talking about public safety from a classroom or a podcast studio. They’ve dealt with it face-to-face.
Zadrowski and Scotti are former GOP chairmen as well, further showing that Amy's got strong support from true conservative Republican leaders.
Dave Gibbs (you guessed it, also a former GOP chairman) focused his message of support around one more issue conservatives care quite a bit about: election integrity.
“Amy has been a longtime supporter of photo ID to make it harder to cheat in our elections. Most Nevadans think showing ID to vote is just common sense, and Amy isn’t afraid to stand with voters on that issue.”
So Amy's got five former GOP chairmen, three experienced law enforcement officials, and two of the most solid conservative legislators over the last three sessions who trust her.
But none of that guarantees Amy a win.
Voters will make up their own minds, but one thing’s pretty clear: The conservatives you trust, trust Amy.
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.
