Teenager to seek county commissioner's seat

A Mottsville teen claiming to be the youngest person to seek the office of Douglas County commissioner is announcing his campaign in Minden today.

Aaron M. Sims, 18, said he will be at 88 Cups, 1663 Lucerne St # B in Minden, at 3 p.m. today to announce his candidacy.

Sims, who became eligible to vote and therefore take public office in August, is a 2010 Douglas High School graduate, where he formed a conservative youth group.

Sims will be facing Douglas County Commissioner Greg Lynn, 64, in 2012 should the Gardnerville Republican seek another term. Filing for office isn't until March 2012, if the Legislature doesn't move it again.

Sims has been volunteering at different organizations and plans to attend Western Nevada College in January.

In an interview in July, Sims said he was serious about running for the position.

"I want to bring a fresh face to the process of government in this county," he said.

He said he believes that government doesn't create jobs and that it's time to reduce the county payroll.

Sims said he planned to talk to small business owners to see what they want to have in a county commissioner.

"It's a personal issue. We don't have to increase taxes. We can get out of it easily but it will take working together to allow small business to grow and survive."

Sims said new development should have to go through the election process instead of being approved by county commissioners.

"It's the county commissioners' job to make sure developers are in line and following the law," he said.

He acknowledged that he would have an uphill battle against Lynn.

"I know the odds are against me," he said. "I don't care about winning, I want the people to think again. I'm an outsider, my job is do what's right. I have a long tough road ahead."

Lynn defeated Republican rival Dave Nelson in the 2008 primary. Sims was a Nelson supporter during the election. One of the issues that dogged Nelson through the primary was the fact that he had moved into Pleasantview specifically to seek the county commission seat being vacated by Jim Baushke.