Assembly District 40: Livermore wins state seat in close race

The race to replace Bonnie Parnell in the Nevada Assembly was a nailbiter as the vote count proceeded Tuesday.

But Republican Pete Livermore held a slight edge through the process and, shortly before 10 p.m., Democrat Robin Williamson called to concede.

"I did call Pete and congratulate him, but if the numbers turn around, I will take it back," she said.

With Carson City numbers finalized, Livermore led Williamson by just 250 votes in the capital. He added another 90 votes to that lead in the slice of southern Washoe County included in District 40. Final results were: 51.49 percent, 8,616 votes for Livermore to 8,118 (48.51 percent) for Williamson.

Livermore and Williamson are both termed out Carson supervisors.

He said he was "humbled and grateful that so many have shown so much trust in me."

He said he will get started with the first meetings on the upcoming session Thursday.

"Now is a new chapter. I look forward to it," he said.

Livermore said his focus will be jobs and the economy.

"My main thing right now is to get people back to work, get the economy growing and help small businesses grow and prosper," he said. "Once we get the economy going, I think everything else will fall in line."

In an interview just prior to the election, Livermore declined to say whether he believes the state budget can be cut $3 billion - the projected General Fund shortfall this coming budget cycle. He said he will rely on the new governor to present a spending plan.

"Both governor's candidates say they can balance the budget. I'm looking to the executive branch that's going to put the budget together."

He said small business can be helped by reducing regulations that cost them money.

"I'd work with individuals to bring about a way to spend money on employees rather than fees and licenses," he said. "Regulations are just like taxes: they cost you money."

He said he believes businesses are capable of effective "self-reporting and inspecting."

He has also supported giving school districts more control over their programs and funding and more home rule for local governments.

One issue he raised during a pre-election interview was changing the state law that now prohibits local governments from blocking wind turbines in certain neighborhoods. He said they don't belong in certain neighborhoods or developments.

Williamson said she conceded because, "I was down in Carson City and traditionally, Washoe goes to Republicans."

She said this isn't the end of her interest in public service.

"I believe in being an involved citizen," she said. "I'll be back."

In Assembly District 38, incumbent Republican Tom Grady defeated his opponent, Independent American Dennis Gomez. Vote totals from Carson City and Lyon County showed him with nearly 77 percent of the ballots cast. Grady ended with 17,282 (75.09 percent) to the challenger's 24.91 percent (5,734 votes).