Purple Politics Nevada with Lucia Starbuck

Black voters are responding in different ways to seeing Kamala Harris become the first Black woman to be a presidential candidate for a major political party. For this month’s episode of Purple Politics Nevada, host Lucia Starbuck breaks the misconception that this voting bloc is a monolith and speaks to community members about their top issues, such as upholding democracy, the high cost of living, and education.

Hear from two sisters, Sherrell Collins, a Reno resident and US Army veteran, and Beverly Johnson, a California resident volunteering for the Harris-Walz campaign in Nevada, about the importance of rebuilding the middle class and why they say democracy is synonymous with freedom. Angie Taylor, who is now running for state senate, is the first Black woman to represent Northern Nevada in the state assembly. She discusses what it means for herself and to see Harris break barriers in their political careers.

Polling shows that former President Donald Trump continues to gain support from Black men. Michael Minta, a political science professor at the University of Minnesota, says that presidential candidates’ messaging on criminal justice and prosecution contributes to that. At Black Wall Street in Reno, the nonprofit’s co-founder, Donald Griffin, and his son, James Griffin, outline what they like about Trump, such as his business-owner mindset, while the nonprofit’s other co-founder, RoMar Tolliver, says he might stay home this November.

There is one person who believes it’s crucial to get out the Black vote no matter who the ballot is cast for and to get involved in the political process. That’s Patricia Gallimore, the Reno-Sparks NAACP president, who wants to see more African Americans civically engaged. Listen to this month’s episode of Purple Politics Nevada to hear from these Black voters about the issues they’re taking with them to the polls.

One month before the Democratic National Convention, President Joe Biden announced he was no longer seeking re-election. He immediately endorsed Vice President Kamala Harris, and Democrats across the country and in Nevada have rallied behind her and her recently selected running mate, Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz.

In this month’s episode of Purple Politics Nevada, host Lucia Starbuck spoke to a political science expert and historian to add context to what the president’s decision means and with Democratic delegates as they prepare to head to the Democratic National Convention (DNC) in Chicago.

Nevada Attorney General Aaron Ford is passionate about standing up against the racist and sexist backlash Harris has faced. Erica Roth, a public defender and candidate for Assembly District 24, said she hasn’t felt this much energy among Democrats since 2008. And Aaron Sims, the Rural Nevada Democratic Caucus chair, wants to see the party take a progressive route.

You can also hear from Jeremy Gelman, an associate professor of political science at UNR, about Harris’ momentum, messaging, and how it will resonate with voters. One big question remains: How historic is this moment in history? Michael Green, the chair of the history department at UNLV and associate professor, argues this election is unique — and maybe not so unique.

If you experience issues accessing this content, please contact KUNR at [email protected].

Voters over the age of 65 make up the largest voting bloc in Nevada when broken down by age. But do they feel heard by political candidates this election? In this month’s episode of Purple Politics Nevada, host Lucia Starbuck spoke to seniors to find out. Listen to their concerns regarding democracy and how they’re navigating an increased cost of living.

Following the assassination attempt on former president Donald Trump during a campaign rally in Pennsylvania, Reno resident Ron Brooks said it has the potential to further erode democracy, but he hopes to see Trump change his tone with a unifying message. Incline Village resident Jacquie Chandler wants to see more eco-friendly policies in the Tahoe region, such as banning fertilized landscaping, building land-to-water transit, and creating wildlife viewing areas. At the Carson City Senior Center, Glade Myler and volunteer Wayne Walters share their thoughts on pocketbook issues and how they view the presidential candidates.

These voters will be crucial in deciding who gets sent to the White House and which party controls the U.S. Senate, according to a new national AARP report released in June. Maria Moore, state director for AARP Nevada, and Erin Neff, communications director, explain why this voting bloc is so motivated to vote, and what issues they’re thinking about heading to the polls, such as preserving social security and support for family caregivers.

Throughout the election, many eyes have been on President Joe Biden, his age, and his performance at the debate with Trump last month as he campaigns for re-election. Many Democrats have called for him to step aside. However, some senior advocates call this a distraction. This episode also includes a roundtable discussion with Andrea Pelto, a member of the Sparks Senior Advisory Committee; Donna Clontz who is on the AARP Nevada Executive Council; and sisters Marcy Kupfersmith and Kyle Waxman, who are both a part of the senior coalition of Washoe County, about health care costs and feeling dismissed by elected officials who are seniors themselves.

If you experience issues accessing this content, please contact KUNR at [email protected].

There are more nonpartisan voters registered in Nevada than registered Democrats and Republicans, and that’s been the case since July of last year. However, they didn’t feel they had a voice in partisan races during the closed primary election earlier in June. In this month’s episode of Purple Politics Nevada, host Lucia Starbuck spoke to nonpartisans about election reform, disdain for the parties, and issues such as the environment.

Hear from real estate agent Rossana Bertani-Lopey, who is disappointed in the parties and is looking for candidates who will address immigration, affordable housing, and infrastructure. Carson City retiree Cliff Ruddick, 62, said the parties are too extreme. Many find themselves all over the map on issues, such as Reno resident Azlynn McFadden, who works at a cannabis dispensary and supports the Second Amendment.

Some nonpartisans are also looking forward to Ballot Question 3 in November for open primaries and ranked-choice voting for top-of-ticket races in the general election – Marine Corps veteran Mike Escobar is a huge proponent. So is 28-year-old father Carlos Pérez-Campbell, who switched to nonpartisan following the last election as a form of protest.

This episode also includes Jackie Salit and Thom Reilly, the co-directors of the Center for an Independent and Sustainable Democracy at Arizona State University, who have been studying the increase of independents, how they’re dismissed, and their role in past and future elections, including here in swing state Nevada.

If you experience issues accessing this content, please contact KUNR at [email protected].

Latino voters in Northern Nevada are voicing that their top issues are accessing economic opportunities and addressing immigration — but it goes beyond that — and while they’re committed to casting their ballots in November, what remains to be seen is who will earn their vote.

In this month’s episode of Purple Politics Nevada, host Lucia Starbuck spoke to Latino business owners, attended a Cinco de Mayo celebration, and learned about get-out-the-vote efforts for Latinos in Northern Nevada.

You can hear from Reno resident Lilia Amador, who is concerned about the environment; Carson City resident Rene Ruiz, who has a one-year-old and is feeling the effects of the high cost of living; and beauty salon owner Ana Gallardo, all of whom are not excited about the presidential candidates. Meanwhile, Carson City resident Paola Loupe has made up her mind and plans to vote for former president Donald Trump for the third time.

The Latino Community Foundation gave organizations in three states, including Nevada, a total of $800,000 to mobilize Latino voters. The nonprofit’s CEO Julián Castro said Latinos, who make up more than a quarter of Nevada’s population, will be crucial in determining who wins the presidency. Daniel Corona, the former mayor of West Wendover now working for President Joe Biden’s re-election campaign, spoke about reaching Latinos in rural Nevada and improving access to health care.

Lastly, listen to a group discussion featuring Rossana Bertani-Lopey, Jeannette Caillaux-Dilles, Monica Peterson, Osvaldo Jimenez-Estupinan, and Claudia Ortega-Lukas, who have seen the impacts of immigration policy, and are looking for honest candidates with concrete solutions.

If you experience issues accessing this content, please contact KUNR at [email protected].

June marks 100 years since Indigenous people were granted citizenship — and with that, the right to vote in the United States. However, the right to vote wasn’t fully expanded in every state until the 1960s. So, what issues matter most to Native voters in Nevada today?

In this month’s episode of Purple Politics Nevada, host Lucia Starbuck spoke to Indigenous community members from several different tribes, traveled to a reservation outside of Reno, and attended a powwow to get their thoughts.

You can hear from Walker River Paiute Tribe members, including tribal activist Elveda Martinez and tribal poll worker Kelley Carter, who speak about the importance of accessing the ballot box. Whereas Josh Dini, who just returned from an 11-day Prayer Horse Ride throughout Northern Nevada communities heavily impacted by mining, isn’t convinced that voting is the most effective method.

Despite there being 28 tribes in Nevada, a swing state, many Indigenous people said they don’t feel heard by candidates and lawmakers. Pyramid Lake Paiute Tribe chairman Steven Wadsworth voted for president for the first time in 2020 but now isn’t sure who’s listening, and fisherwoman Autumn Harry, who just organized the Red Dress Social Powwow, hasn’t seen any change since the last election, making her feel less likely to vote, and she isn’t the only reluctant voter. Twins Dwight and Everett George, members of the Fallon Paiute Shoshone Tribe, also see direct community actions as more effective than voting.

If you experience issues accessing this content, please contact KUNR at [email protected].

Later this year, Tesla will have to start paying property taxes for the first time in 10 years. Nevada gave the electric car manufacturing company more than $1 billion in tax breaks in 2014 to build its gigafactory at the Tahoe-Reno Industrial Center in Storey County. Now, Storey County has big plans to upgrade its aging infrastructure and pay back some debt.

This episode of KUNR Public Radio’s show Purple Politics Nevada with Lucia Starbuck features Austin Osborne, manager of Storey County, on how the county is responding to its Civil War-era infrastructure, and Jacob Whiton, a researcher with the national policy resource center Good Jobs First, on the pros and cons of government subsidies.

If you experience issues accessing this content, please contact KUNR at [email protected].

In February, Nevada will become the first state in the West to make its voice heard on who should run for president of the United States. The state-run Presidential Preference Primaries will take place on Feb. 6 for the two major parties: Republicans and Democrats. For Republicans, the primary will be non-binding, and instead, delegates will be awarded at the state Republican Party-run caucus two days later on Feb. 8.

This episode of KUNR Public Radio’s show Purple Politics Nevada with Lucia Starbuck features Jim DeGraffenreid, a Nevada GOP national committee member, on what voters can expect at the caucus, and Sondra Cosgrove, a history professor at the College of Southern Nevada, to provide some historical context on the voting processes.

If you experience issues accessing this content, please contact KUNR at [email protected].

Purple Politics Nevada with Lucia Starbuck is KUNR’s monthly show about Nevada politics and the 2024 election. This episode features Nevada Democratic U.S. Senator Catherine Cortez Masto and her health care accomplishments, thoughts on the clean energy debate, and how she says the party can re-energize the Latino vote.

Click here for a transcript of the audio story.

The senator highlighted three main issues she tackled this year: lowering health care costs for seniors, clean energy mining and manufacturing, and increasing veterans’ access to health care after exposure to toxic chemicals while serving.

“I fought in the Inflation Reduction Act to ensure that many of our seniors have the ability now to have lower costs through capping the cost of insulin at $35, capping really the cost of other drugs that are now being able to be negotiated on Medicare,” she said. “It’s the first time that we’ve been able to take on Big Pharma.”

As for next year, Cortez Masto wants to address mental health challenges faced by all ages through care catered to an individual’s recovery and integrating mental health care with primary health care.

The country is also gearing up for the 2024 presidential election. Nevada has several voting blocs that can determine the outcomes of elections. In past elections, Democrats have counted on Latinos; however, that’s no longer the case, as they are not a monolith and are shifting away from the party.

“I can tell you what I know of Latinos in Nevada and just really any voters is you got to show up. And it’s not two months before an election to say, ‘I’m running, and will you vote for me.’ It is all the time,” Cortez Masto said. “Our Latinos are incredible entrepreneurs; they’re business owners; they’re health care providers; they’re our brilliant students.”

Listen to this month’s episode of Purple Politics Nevada to hear more of the senator’s proudest moments and biggest goals, as well as how she’s going to accomplish them while chaos ensues among her colleagues in the House of Representatives.

(UPBEAT JAZZ MUSIC BEGINS)

LUCIA STARBUCK: Welcome to Purple Politics Nevada. I’m your host, Lucia Starbuck. The name reflects the fact that Nevada isn’t red or blue – it’s both. Today, I’m joined by U.S. Democratic Senator Catherine Cortez Masto of Nevada to chat about her accomplishments this year and goals for next. Thanks so much for joining me, Senator.

CATHERINE CORTEZ MASTO: Oh Lucia, I’m always happy to join you. Thanks for doing this.

(UPBEAT JAZZ MUSIC ENDS)

STARBUCK: As 2023 comes to a close, what would you say your proudest moments are this year? And what is some of your legislation that will have the greatest impact in Northern Nevada?

CORTEZ MASTO: When I’m home, and I know talking to Nevadans, probably the three areas that I hear the most about is really lowering costs for families, working on how we create jobs, and then just making sure Nevadans feel healthy and safe.

I fought in the Inflation Reduction Act to ensure that many of our seniors have the ability now to have lower costs through capping the cost of insulin at $35, capping really the cost of other drugs that are now being able to be negotiated by Medicare. It’s the first time that we’ve been able to take on Big Pharma.

And then creating jobs, you know, it’s good for our economy, and it puts Nevada in the forefront of leading in this clean energy economy.

And then, finally, one of the big things that I heard from our veterans is the fact that many veterans who were exposed to toxic chemicals during their years of service could not access the health care that they needed. Well, then we passed the PACT Act that now provides them essential health care.

STARBUCK: You mentioned clean energy. Last month, a federal judge dismissed a lawsuit by the Reno-Sparks Indian Colony that would have halted construction at the lithium mine at Thacker Pass. How do you balance tribal concerns and the beginning of this lithium and energy boom in Nevada?

CORTEZ MASTO: To me, this is about our clean energy future, lowering that carbon footprint we see in Nevada, the implications of extreme weather and the climate change. We see it in the drought; we see it in the hot and longer wildfire seasons. And that requires us to look at so many areas where we can utilize, but we can’t do the batteries and clean energy technology that we need unless we have the critical minerals, and Nevada is key for those critical minerals when it comes to lithium mining.

So the supply chain for that clean energy starts with the mining and then everything in between, from the manufacturing to the processing. That, to me, is the balance: how we manage all of that and still address the needs when we’re doing responsible mining to protect the environment, utilizing this technology in a responsible way.

STARBUCK: And what are your goals for next year?

CORTEZ MASTO: One of the things that we’re still addressing and more work needs to be done is around mental health. It is still one of the main issues that we see impacting so many Nevadans, from our youth to our young adults to adults and seniors.

A lot of the work I’ve done is to focus on the crisis side of mental health and how we bring essential services around the crisis mode. And so we need more programs that are focused on the individual. I’m also leading legislation that really focuses on how we get mental health care integrated with primary care providers.

STARBUCK: Let’s talk 2024. We’re gearing up for a presidential election. Nevada is a really cool place; it has many different voting blocs that can really shift the outcomes of elections. In prior elections, Democrats have counted on Latinos. However, that’s no longer the case. Latinos have felt disconnected from Dems. What can the party do to keep these voters blue?

CORTEZ MASTO: Well, I can tell you what I know of Latinos in Nevada and just really any voters is you got to show up. And it’s not two months before an election to say, ‘I’m running, and will you vote for me.’ It is all the time. Particularly, if we’re talking about Latinos, talking to them often, listening to them, learning about what their issues are and focusing on those issues to address their concerns. If anybody wants to come into Nevada at a presidential year, that needs to happen all the time.

Our Latinos are incredible entrepreneurs; they’re business owners; they’re health care providers; they’re our brilliant students that want a future that they don’t have to mortgage with a loan.

STARBUCK: Americans’ faith in U.S. institutions has been falling. The chaos among your colleagues in the House of Representatives isn’t helping. George Santos was expelled. Kevin McCarthy is resigning. A number of lawmakers have said they’re not going to run again. How can you regain trust?

CORTEZ MASTO: Let me just say this. I do think and understand the frustration, and I hear it in my own family, and I see it. This is about how we lean across the aisle. We may not agree on everything, but we’re civil to one another, and we figure out, working together, including compromising, how we solve the problems that Americans are facing.

That’s what I hear from Nevadans. They don’t want somebody who’s going to undermine their election. They don’t want somebody who is inciting a mob on January 6 and an insurrection. They don’t want Congress to focus on taking the rights away of women, reproductive rights.

What they want Congress to do is work together. And that’s what I’ve always tried to do. And I’ve promised to Nevadans that this is about how we solve problems, not create them.

STARBUCK: Thank you so much for taking the time to speak with me, Senator.

CORTEZ MASTO: Lucia it’s always great to talk with you. Thank you again, and have a wonderful holiday.

(UPBEAT JAZZ MUSIC BEGINS)

STARBUCK That was U.S. Senator Catherine Cortez Masto. I’m Lucia Starbuck, and you’re listening to Purple Politics Nevada.

(UPBEAT JAZZ MUSIC ENDS)

The theme song, “Vibe Ace” by Kevin MacLeod, is licensed under Creative Commons and was edited for this episode.

Purple Politics Nevada with Lucia Starbuck is KUNR’s monthly show about Nevada politics and the 2024 election. This episode is about a lesser-known truth: political candidates don’t undergo background checks, and one Nevada-based organization’s efforts to change that.

Click here for a transcript of the audio story.

To file for candidacy in Nevada, a small list of conditions must be met that vary by office, including age and residency restrictions, one must be eligible to vote, and pay a filing fee.

That’s why Jody Baden founded Transparency in Politics. The organization encourages political candidates and elected officials to voluntarily publish a background check on their personal history, such as work, education, and military experience.

“I’ve talked to a lot of voters, I’ve talked to a lot of candidates, people in the Democratic Party and the Republican Party. And if you’re not running for office, or you haven’t been involved in politics, you assume that candidates are vetted in some way,” Baden said.

The organization had its first candidate running for school board in Tampa, Florida, go through the background check process. But there hasn’t been much of an appetite for it locally, among both parties, and endorsers, Baden said. Yet she believes it is a beneficial avenue for candidates to be transparent about their backgrounds.

“I think candidates should want some facts out about themselves and not just have the public depend on the mudslinging ads from the other side,” Baden said.

Baden said it can be very concerning if someone with a history of financial problems or a criminal record is making policy decisions that affect a large number of people. And lying isn’t typically considered illegal.

“I’m concerned about our country, and I’m concerned about democracy, and I’m concerned about the truth,” Baden said.

Listen to this month’s episode of Purple Politics Nevada with Lucia Starbuck about Baden’s quest for background checks for political candidates.

(UPBEAT JAZZ MUSIC BEGINS)

LUCIA STARBUCK, HOST: Welcome to Purple Politics Nevada. I’m your host, Lucia Starbuck. The name reflects the fact that Nevada isn’t red or blue — it’s both.

Today, we’re talking about background checks for political candidates. I’m joined by Jody Baden, founder and owner of Transparency in Politics. Thanks so much for being here with me.

JODY BADEN, GUEST: Thank you so much for having me. I’m eager to share with you.

(UPBEAT JAZZ MUSIC ENDS)

STARBUCK: So your organization, it allows political candidates and elected officials to be transparent about their history through a background check. Are you saying that this isn’t already required? I had to get a background check to work at Sam’s Club.

BADEN: I think this is a great question because, you know, I’ve talked to a lot of people, I’ve talked to a lot of voters, I’ve talked to a lot of candidates, people in the Democratic Party and the Republican Party. And if you’re not running for office, or you haven’t been involved in politics, you assume that candidates are vetted in some way.

STARBUCK: Yeah.

BADEN: However, almost none of the information that’s provided at the Registrar of Voters office is verified; you simply present an ID and write a check for most all of the offices.

STARBUCK: Wow. I think this has definitely been put on people’s minds, especially this year with New York Congressman George Santos, who fabricated quite a bit of his resume, his schooling, his work experience, his family history. Where is this conversation now?

BADEN: Well, I think the voters are alarmed. And I think people are clamoring for more transparency, at least a resume verification and criminal background check. And so it’s left up to opposition research or the public to determine whether someone really is not qualified to run for that office. And, of course, as we see with George Santos, it’s almost impossible to get them out.

STARBUCK: I would even caution against just relying solely on opposition research because, you know, that has an agenda of its own, too.

BADEN: Correct, and I think candidates should want some facts out about themselves and not just have the public depend on the mudslinging ads from the other side. I think this is a chance for candidates to be proactive about things that might need more explanation that could come up.

STARBUCK: So how did your organization come about?

BADEN: I just was so disgusted with the lying. I mean, politics has been full of lying forever — this is not really new — but the epidemic proportion of lying in the last election had me really distressed. It’s not illegal unless you perjure yourself or you commit fraud, you know, very few cases where lying is really illegal.

But what could be done about it? Well, it’s not going to be legislated. There’s really no appetite for that. I thought, “Well, if it’s voluntary, maybe some people who really want to disclose their background and feel like integrity is important will go for it.”

STARBUCK: Yeah, how concerning is it if someone does have maybe this more sinister past that’s not out in the open, and now they’re in office?

BADEN: I think depending on the type of, let’s say, crime that it is, I think it can be very concerning. When someone’s in office, making decisions that affect so many people, making decisions about money, and they have some kind of criminal past, whether it’s a financial problem or it’s something more sinister, I think it’s a big problem. And I think that could be very damaging.

STARBUCK: You said there’s not a lot of appetite at the legislative level, but who is biting? Give me the details: Who is embracing you? Are they local? What side of the political aisle are they on?

BADEN: Okay, interesting. Well, you know, it’s funny, the voters want it, but the candidates and the parties, and the folks who do endorsing like labor unions, don’t seem to be too interested. I think they’re concerned that, you know, maybe something will come up in a background check that makes their candidate look not so sterling. But I think the nonpartisan offices are probably more open to it.

I have my first Transparency in Politics seal of approval to award to a school board candidate in Tampa, Florida. And so you can see her background check on my website. I’m excited there is someone who wants to be transparent about their background check. That gives me hope.

STARBUCK: What are your hopes for your organization, Transparency in Politics?

BADEN: I hope it’s the start of a movement. And I hope it normalizes background checking for people who run for office. I want people to have confidence in our system. I want to improve the quality of candidates. Many good people don’t want to run because they see a lot of negativity in politics, and they don’t want to be part of it.

STARBUCK: Why is it so important to you personally?

BADEN: Well, I feel like I need to make a difference. You know, I’m not young anymore, and I have one more big project in me, and I think this is it. I’m concerned about our country, and I’m concerned about democracy, and I’m concerned about the truth.

(UPBEAT JAZZ MUSIC BEGINS)

STARBUCK: That was Jody Baden, founder and owner of Transparency in Politics. Thanks so much for chatting with me.

BADEN: Oh, thank you so much for having me.

STARBUCK: I’m Lucia Starbuck, and you’re listening to Purple Politics Nevada.

(UPBEAT JAZZ MUSIC ENDS)

The theme song, “Vibe Ace” by Kevin MacLeod, is licensed under Creative Commons and was edited for this episode.