Assembly District 29 in Henderson is gearing up for a competitive race between Democrat Joe Dalia and Republican Annette Dawson Owens. With the Democrats looking to maintain their majority in the Assembly, this swingy district could play a crucial role in their legislative agenda next session.
Dawson Owens, an educator with decades of experience, is focused on improving early childhood education and increasing investments in the education system. On the other hand, Dalia, a privacy attorney and former Harry Reid intern, is prioritizing increasing funding for education and teacher recruitment.
When it comes to school choice, Dawson Owens supports state funding for options like Opportunity Scholarships, while Dalia opposes such policies, fearing they will take attention away from public schools. Both candidates agree that Nevada’s health care system needs improvement, with Dawson Owens emphasizing the need for more providers and mental health services.
Reproductive rights are also a key issue in this race, with Dawson Owens supporting access to abortion services in certain instances and Dalia advocating for protecting abortion access. On the topic of elections, Dalia believes that voter ID requirements could disenfranchise marginalized communities, while Dawson Owens prioritizes secure elections to build trust in the system.
With Governor Lombardo issuing a record number of vetoes last year, Dawson Owens is committed to protecting his veto power, while Dalia believes vetoes should only be used for special circumstances. The candidates also have differing views on housing, with Dawson Owens suggesting freeing up federally owned land for affordable housing and Dalia emphasizing the need to protect tribal reservations.
As the race heats up in Assembly District 29, voters will have to consider where each candidate stands on education, health care, reproductive rights, elections, vetoes, and housing. The outcome of this election could have a significant impact on the balance of power in the Assembly and the future of Nevada’s legislative agenda.