GENERAL ELECTION GUIDE: State Senate Washoe District 4

BEN KIECKHEFER

Party: Republican

Mailing Address: 10045 Goler Wash Court., Reno, NV 89521

Telephone: (775) 223-9618

E-mail: ben@benfornevada.com

Explain your background and how this qualifies you for the position you are seeking.

As a former journalist covering government and politics, my professional integrity relied on thinking critically about complicated issues and ensuring all ideas were presented before making decisions. I believe that's something we need more of in the Nevada Legislature. Following my journalism career I worked in public affairs and advertising in Reno before going to work for the governor, where I served as a member of his senior staff. This inside view of state policy from the highest level of government gives me a broad base of knowledge that will serve me well in the Senate. Currently a state employee, I have agreed to resign following my election to maintain the Constitutional tenet of separation of powers, but that experience has shown me how budgets are built from the ground up and where the rubber hits the road with policy decisions made by the Legislature.

What are the most important issues that you would address if elected?

First off, we must focus on passing a balanced budget that protects the businesses that will hire people out of the current recession. This should be done by prioritizing government services, eliminating those that are no longer necessary or affordable and streamlining those that can achieve greater efficiency. As a father of two sets of young twins, the quality of education is incredibly important to me and my wife. I believe in the empowerment model of education, giving greater authority to individual schools and teachers to decide how best to educate rather than relying on administrators far removed from the classroom. I am also a strong advocate of empowering parents to make more choices about their children's education. Easing the creation of charter schools is an important way to do this. Additionally, we must ensure we evaluate the success of schools and teachers by the success of our children.

Why should voters choose you over other candidates?

In the end, I believe this election comes down leadership and the quality of the person the voters want representing them in the Legislature. I offer the voters of Washoe District 4 a strong, conservative voice that will be a champion for them and protect them from the overreach of government. As importantly, I can do this while also being effective. My opponent has demonstrated that an inability to work with others translates into failure, which ultimately disenfranchised the people who put him there. I am raising my family here in northern Nevada, and the future of our state is very important to me. I will always fight for what is best for the families and businesses of northern Nevada.

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M.K. "IKE" YOCHUM

Party: Independent American Party

The candidate did not return the questionnaire.