By NICK YAMASHITA
The Progress
The Mesquite to Moapa Democrats hosted a virtual Meet the Candidate event with Nevada Congressman Steven Horsford (D-Las Vegas) on Wednesday, Aug.12.
The meeting, which was held over an online platform brought together around 40 Democratic voters from both valleys to both hear what Horsford had to say and ask him questions.
Horsford is in a race for re-election against Republican candidate Jim Marchant of Las Vegas.
The Q&A session started off with Horsford sharing his thoughts on the newly-selected Vice Presidential running-mate Kamala Harris. Horsford was enthusiastic about the choice.
“She is a great choice and a strong running-mate for Joe Biden,” Horsford said. “But keep in mind that Nevada is still very much a battleground state. So we have to work hard to get out the vote.”
Horsford took more than an hour with the group thoughtfully answering each question that was posed to him.
One question asked Horsford’s opinion on the lawsuit filed by Donald Trump and the nation and state Republican party against Nevada Secretary of State Barbara Cegavske over the all mail-in ballot proposed for the upcoming election.
“I think we are in a good position as the Nevada Attorney General has made a motion to dismiss the lawsuit,” Horsford said.
But Horsford said that that the nation has more important matters to deal with than that.
“For example, the HEROES Act that will help with loss of revenue during this pandemic,” Horsford said.
The Health and Econonmic Recovery Omnibus Emergency Solutions Act (HEROES) is a proposed $3 trillion stimulus package intended to supplement the CARES Act passed earlier this spring.
“It is needed to help the families, workers, small businesses and school districts as well as other organizations or people who need the help,” Horsford said. “It has not passed yet but we are working on it.”
Attendee Martha Hammond asked about the current status of the U.S. Census.
“The census will continue until the federal law and requirements of 90 percent counted are met,” Horsford said. “We have three groups of people who are usually undercounted: 1) rural citizens, 2) those of color, and 3) children. We have to make sure we count as many of them as possible.”
Overton resident Trinity Tanner asked about the Battle Born Solar project being proposed to cover the top of the Mormon Mesa between the two valleys.
Tanner pointed out the historical significance of the area as well as many environmental concerns. He also talked about how it would impact the members of the communities. Mesquite resident Michael McGreer, who is also a candidate for the Virgin Valley Water District Board of Directors in the upcoming election, talked about a study that there was not enough water under the mesa to support such a project
The project has not actually entered the federal environmental permitting process yet. So Horsford admitted that he did not know much about it at this time. He committed to do some research into it, though.
“I am totally in favor of renewable energy but at same time we have to make sure that conservation of the environment is not affected,” Horsford siad. “This will be something I will be looking into further.”
Horsford was generous with hi time. The meeting ran long with Horsford staying about 10 minutes longer than scheduled to answer as many questions as possible.
Attendees expressed gratitude to Horsford for spending the time to discuss the issues important to them.
Horsford concluded by expressing a fondness for the rural communities of northeastern Clark County. “I love Moapa Valley and Mesquite!” he said. “They are some of my most favorite people and I thoroughly thank them for their support of my campaign and all they do to help bring about a better Nevada for all of us.”
