Who says we’re on the high of each unhealthy record?

In response to a brand new nationwide research carried out by the Democracy Initiative Training Fund, Nevadans ought to have a excessive degree of confidence that the 2022 midterm elections might be honest. The research discovered that Nevada – together with California, Colorado, Hawaii, Maryland, Oregon, Utah, Vermont and Washington state – rank extremely for having election programs that make voter registration and voting comparatively simple.

No state obtained an ideal rating within the survey, which examined elements together with voter registration, voter identification, early voting, poll acceptance, logistical obstacles to voting, voting tools and safety, vote auditing and unbiased election certification.

The survey — titled Storming State Capitols — discovered voters in 18 states will face roadblocks to voting, and ranked Arkansas, Mississippi and Missouri final within the rankings.

The survey is a credit score to election officers in Nevada, together with Secretary of State Barbara Cegavske and Clark County Registrar of Voters Joe Gloria, who labored below tough circumstances in 2020 to make sure a good election, regardless of unfounded and unproven claims of voter fraud made by former President Donald Trump and his followers. An investigation by Cegavske’s workplace into allegations discovered no proof of widespread voter fraud, and each lawsuit filed making these claims – in Nevada and nationwide – was rejected.

It’s additionally a credit score to lawmakers who permitted legal guidelines starting from early voting, countywide voting facilities, voting-by-mail and same-day registration legal guidelines, all of which ease the method of voting.

You possibly can learn the total report for your self right here.

Danny’s debate catastrophe

Perennial candidate Danny Tarkanian – who ran for workplace and misplaced six instances from Clark County earlier than profitable a Douglas County Fee seat by 17 votes in 2020 – shouldn’t be often called an awesome debater. That notion was underscored throughout a face off on the “Nevada Newsmakers” tv program just lately.

Tarkanian – who’s taking over Republican incumbent Mark Amodei within the 2nd Congressional District – criticized the congressman for voting in favor of an omnibus spending invoice, which contributes to a rise within the nationwide debt. The invoice contained $10 billion in pork spending, Tarkanian stated, including unhelpfully that Amodei had solely managed to deliver one-tenth of 1 % of that pork again to Nevada.

You see what’s coming, proper?

“I discover it fascinating whenever you sit there and discuss all the cash we’re spending and you then flip round and criticize me for not bringing again extra?” Amodei stated. “That’s an fascinating case of bipolar advanced. Thanks.”

However this wasn’t the worst Tarkanian debate catastrophe. Again in 2018, throughout a debate on KLAS Channel 8’s “PoliticsNOW” co-hosted by Patrick Walker and this reporter, Walker requested Tarkanian about his repeated denunciations of rules on the marketing campaign path. In case you are elected, title three rules you’d attempt to eliminate, Walker requested.

Sadly, Tarkanian couldn’t title even one.

Democrat on Democrat violence

Eyebrows raised again in December when Gov. Steve Sisolak appointed ex-principal Lisa Cano Burkhead to function lieutenant governor, regardless of Henderson Mayor Debra March’s curiosity within the job. Some Democrats puzzled why Sisolak wouldn’t support March, who has excessive title recognition and fundraising means.

Issues didn’t get higher after March declared herself in an e-mail the “solely certified candidate” within the race. Sisolak didn’t defend his selection, or at the very least assert that she was certified. (For the document, the structure says solely that the lieutenant governor shall have the identical {qualifications} because the governor, i.e. be 25 years outdated and a citizen resident of Nevada for 2 years earlier than the election.)

However there are some Democrats who are focusing on March. Assemblywoman Selena Torres, D-Las Vegas, issued a launch that slammed March for a “troubling document on immigration.”

Immigration? What, is she constructing a wall between Henderson and Boulder Metropolis?

No, Torres pointed to an settlement between Henderson and the federal Immigration and Customs Enforcement to accommodate immigration detainees within the metropolis’s jail. ICE pays Henderson to accommodate detainees.

Torres is demanding March reply questions in regards to the association, together with whether or not she agrees with immigration insurance policies of the Trump administration, whether or not she ever questioned the association and whether or not she took steps to finish it.

“Debra March can not declare to wish to be a pacesetter of our state by hiding within the shadows. Nevada households deserve higher than silence and cowardice,” Torres stated in a press release.

In response, March marketing campaign spokeswoman Liz Trosper known as the allegations outdated information and defended March’s document in Henderson.

“We’re upset that Assemblywoman Selena Torres would take a subject from 2013, virtually 9 years in the past, and floor it in an election 12 months, the place she is supporting Mayor Debra March’s opponent,” Trosper stated in a press release. “Below Mayor March’s management, the Metropolis of Henderson has flourished and is rated the second most secure huge metropolis within the nation. She hopes to deliver these management abilities to the state degree.”

Oh, and if each Sisolak and March win? That’s going to make for an ungainly inauguration day dialog.

Battle of the mascots

Nevada politics has all the time had its mascots, some good, some not a lot. Democrats have fielded their well-known “rooster” mascot for years, when attempting to underscore a selected candidate’s lack of braveness. They adopted that up as soon as with a parrot, to point out a candidate was an echo of any person else.

There have been the epic bombs, similar to Mitch the Turtle, a one-and-done mascot designed to imitate Senate Minority Chief Mitch McConnell. After which there have been the merely epic, such because the time in 2010 when ex-Democratic staffer Phoebe Candy introduced a stay goat to a Sue Lowden for U.S. Senate marketing campaign workplace to ask to barter for well being care, exploiting an unforced Lowden error.

Now the Adam Laxalt for U.S. Senate marketing campaign has contrived its personal mascot, often called Gasoline Can Man, a crimson gasoline canister whose job is to attract consideration to excessive gasoline costs and pin the blame on President Joe Biden. It’s not the worst line of assault – all people who drives and pays greater costs is offended about it, and Democrats are doing all the pieces however siphoning gasoline from federal fleet vehicles and promoting it at a reduction to get voters’ minds off the subject.

However, Gasoline Can Man? Nicely, it’s higher than Mitch the Turtle, but it surely’s not even near a stay goat.

Talking of promoting

Some would possibly assume it’s daring for Democrats to be speaking about tax will increase round tax day, since theirs is the social gathering most intently related to tax hikes. (To be honest, they are saying they’re solely going after rich of us and large companies.)

However the Democratic Nationwide Committee is shopping for a slate of digital advertisements in some key states – together with Nevada – to remind individuals of Republican U.S. Sen. Rick Scott’s tax plan, which might see extra individuals pay taxes, and positively not simply rich of us. Scott’s idea is that the extra individuals with “pores and skin within the sport,” the extra persons are more likely to revolt at paying taxes. However even McConnell was chagrined when Scott – who’s in control of electing Republicans to the Senate this cycle – unveiled his thought, since McConnell desires all the main focus to be on the Biden administration.

“This Tax Day, don’t overlook: Republicans wish to elevate YOUR taxes. Are you able to afford it?,” the advert asks. “Hundreds of thousands of People may see a much bigger tax invoice if Republicans win management in DC.” The advert hyperlinks to a Democratic web site detailing its criticism of Scott’s plan.

China backs … John Lee?

Sure, China is backing John Lee for chief government, simply not our John Lee, the North Las Vegas mayor who working for the Republican nomination for governor. The John Lee who has Beijing’s assist is the previous No. 2 official in Hong Kong, who’s now working for chief. On condition that the chief government there’s elected by an government committee of 1,500 individuals, most of whom are pro-China, Hong Kong John Lee has a fairly good shot.

Quote of the week

“You realize, whenever you’re in tv for 18 years, that’s like a ballot. Meaning individuals such as you.” – Former President Donald Trump, discussing his endorsement of Dr. Mehmet Oz within the Pennsylvania U.S. Senate race.

Contact Steve Sebelius at SSebelius@reviewjournal.com. Observe @SteveSebelius on Twitter.