Nevada Democrats marred in controversy
The Nevada Democratic Party faces multiple scandals this year after two resignations and a politician’s rocky return.
State Senate Majority Leader Kevin Atkinson pleaded guilty of misusing campaign funds for personal use and could face up to three years in prison and a $250,000 fine for using campaign contributions to pay off credit card bills and open a nightclub.
“I have no one to blame but myself,” Atkinson said in his resignation speech. “I just pray that someday I will have the opportunity to contribute to my community once again in a meaningful way.”
State Senator and Majority Whip Michael Sprinkle resigned after multiple accusations of sexual harassment.
Gov. Steve Sisolak condemned Sprinkle’s conduct, “Such behavior will not be tolerated, and my administration will see to it that such bad actors face the consequences of their behavior.”
On top of this, former U.S. Congressman Ruben Kihuen, who only served a single term after multiple sexual harassment allegations by female staffers forced him to retire, is making a run for the Nevada City Council.
The House Ethics Committee found that Kihuen violated the congressional code of conduct by making unwanted verbal and physical advances toward women during his campaign for Congress.
There is already growing opposition from within his own party to stop him from being elected. Assemblywoman Heidi Swank, (D-NV), has established the “No Means No, Ruben” PAC in an effort to prevent him from winning a seat in Ward 3.
Activists handed out flyers containing text messages Kihuen sent to female staffers he was harassing, such as “Come sit on my lap” and “What color are your panties?” The former congressman has since apologized.
Furthermore, a website outing the women who came forward about Kihuen surfaced earlier this year. Kihuen condemned the website and its content.
These events create a troubling environment for Nevada Democrats, a party that has seen unprecedented success in state, local and federal elections in recent years.
After the 2018 midterms, Nevada elected its second female U.S. Senator and a Democratic governor for the first time in 20 years. With both chambers of state government in Democratic control and the recent events, the reputation of the party in Nevada may be in jeopardy.
Sprinkle was the curator of a sweeping Medicare overhaul in 2017, letting anyone sign up for it regardless of income or health status. Although the bill died in 2007 after former Gov. Brian Sandoval rejected it, there was higher hope for the bill’s passing with a new Democratic governor. That bill’s future is now ambiguous.