Schmidt runs for seat in Senate District 16

Gary Schmidt, in business for 40 years and now a Washoe County resident, plans to run for the District 16 state Senate seat that includes Carson City, south Reno and southern Washoe County.

Schmidt, a Republican, intends to challenge state Sen. Ben Kieckhefer in pursuit of the seat in the upper chamber of the Nevada Legislature and disclosed that in what he called a “soft” announcement at the Carson City Board of Supervisors meeting on Thursday.

He made remarks on his background and intent during a public-comment period at the meeting, responding to later inquiries with the soft announcement characterization. Soft or not, he signaled definitive plans to run next year by offering cards and campaign literature showing his positions as a conservative candidate.

It called for limited government and fiscal responsibility, local and parental control of education, elimination of burdensome regulations and promotion of agriculture and rural tourism, and said he is a strong supporter of the right to bear arms.

He added in writing on the literature and verbally that he advocates “campus carry” as part of his position on the right to bear arms.