We are a proud Nevada Laxalt family. For several generations we have strived to follow in the resilient footsteps of our tough Basque predecessors. Today we, the undersigned members of the Laxalt family, are writing in support of the re-election of Sen. Catherine Cortez Masto for the U.S. Senate. We believe that Catherine possesses a set of qualities that clearly speak of what we like to call “Nevada grit.” We staunchly believe that Catherine is well equipped with her own “Nevada grit” – a quality that she will take forward in representation of our home state for six more years across the halls of Congress.
From a young age, Catherine grew up understanding the daily realities of dogged hard work. Like us, the backdrop of an immigrant experience was always within a very close reach. Catherine carried her family’s work ethic into her public education. Her journey began in Las Vegas public school classrooms. She carried it on into the University of Nevada, Reno lecture halls, and, ultimately culminated with her completion of law school. Catherine and her sister were proud to become the first people in their family to graduate from college. Because of these experiences, Catherine clearly identifies with the world of the Nevada worker. She also clearly grasps the world of public education. Her decisions in the U.S. Senate are a testament to her own Nevada background.
Catherine also understands what it means to be a fighter – especially when it comes to her home state of Nevada. Her years of public service are evidence of this. During her two terms as Nevada Attorney General, Catherine worked tirelessly to assist Nevada homeowners during the 2008-10 foreclosure crisis. Catherine has also acted as a forceful advocate for all layers of law enforcement across Nevada. As our U.S. senator, she has fought for Nevada families by working to bring down the high costs of prescriptions. She has even gone to battle in holding oil companies accountable for price-gouging Nevada citizens at the gas pump. Catherine has expertly defended her Nevada constituents.
Catherine’s unwavering support of the rights of Nevada women is historic. Her efforts in combatting human trafficking by cracking down on perpetrators who victimize vulnerable women are well-respected across the entire country. Catherine intends to continue her tireless advocacy for the rights of Nevada women – especially today when these rights are horrifically in peril.
Catherine has consistently demonstrated a fierce loyalty to her home state of Nevada. She has always put Nevada first – even when it meant working against her own party’s policies. She has skillfully defended key Nevada industries. When President Biden tried to impose a tax on Nevada farms and ranches, it was Catherine who put a complete halt to this measure. She also single-handedly killed a tax that could have crushed the entire mining industry of Nevada. Catherine has never turned her back on the industries of Nevada.
Beyond industry, Catherine is a staunch advocate for preserving the lands of our magnificent state. She has directly taken on the growing threat that wildfires pose to Nevada. Cortez Masto was pivotal in recently securing over $3.4 billion in wildfire prevention, suppression, and restoration activities in the national bipartisan infrastructure bill (this included $10 million that she personally authored for wildfire detection equipment). Last year she boldly introduced a comprehensive Western Wildfire Support Act to continue this effort. In addition to wildfire threats, Catherine has also led an effort to lessen the impact of drought on Nevada. She has even requested surrounding states to engage in comprehensive conservation efforts that are currently in place across Nevada. Catherine has worked tirelessly to maintain the splendor of Nevada’s landscape.
In closing, we are proud to support our fellow Nevadan for re-election to the Senate. Catherine is a model of the “Nevada grit” that we so often use to describe our Nevada forefathers. Her entire career is not a simple “sound-bite” that merely speaks of supporting Nevada. Rather, her entire career demonstrates years of bold actions that she has taken as an authentic advocate of Nevada. In so many ways, Cortez Masto exemplifies what it simply means to be a Nevadan. She has learned from her home state. She has fought for it. She is proud of it. As a proud Nevada family, we are honored to endorse Cortez Masto for the prestigious national role of U.S. senator for Nevada.
Dr. Kevin Marie Laxalt, K. Neena Laxalt, Dr. Kristin Laxalt, Kevan D. Laxalt, Amy Nomura, Kevin Nomura, Meg Laxalt Mackey, Erin Jensen, Michelle Laxalt Strahl, Peter Laxalt, Michelle Therese Laxalt, Brandon Laxalt, Ali Urza, Gabriel Urza.
