Thousands watch Nye County GOP virtual debate

The Nye County Republican Central Committee, with the participation of the Pahrump Valley Times, hosted a GOP debate last weekend for the contenders vying for the Republican vote in the 2020 primary election, with nearly three dozen candidates joining in to tackle a variety of topics pertinent to their various offices and thousands of voters watching over two days of discourse and debate.

Due to the COVID-19 pandemic and restrictions on the number of people allowed to gather, the Nye County Republican Central Committee’s GOP debate took place virtually through Zoom. The event was also broadcast live to social media through both the central committee and the Pahrump Valley Times’ Facebook pages.

The GOP debate kicked off at 4 p.m. on Friday, May 22 with the Nevada Assembly District 36 race, which is pitting appointed office holder Greg Hafen II against challenger Dr. Joseph Bradley. Due to previously scheduled appointments with his clients, Bradley, who is a mental health and addiction counseling specialist, was unfortunately unable to attend. Topics covered in the Assembly District 36 debate included economic recovery following COVID-19, the local water situation, public lands, health care services, education and more.

The debate between those seeking the Republican nomination for Nevada’s Fourth Congressional District then took the virtual stage at 5:30 p.m. that Friday evening. With eight different candidates hoping to secure the nomination, the debate extended for nearly two and a half hours as the contenders asserted their thoughts on subjects such as term limits, campaign finance laws, immigration reform and Yucca Mountain.

Republican congressional candidates for the 2020 primary include Rosalie Bingham, Leo Blundo, Jim Marchant, Charles Navarro, Sam Peters, Randi Reed, Lisa Song Sutton and Rebecca Wood.

Continuing on Saturday, May 23, the GOP debate then shifted focus to local races for Nye County Commission. There are three commission seats up for grabs this year and each was featured in its own separate debate. The candidates for Nye County Commission District 1 who participated include Trevor Dolby, Tim Gamble, Richard “Dick” Gardner and Bruce Jabbour. District 1 candidate Liandra Dutton was unfortunately unable to participate. Commission District 2 candidates John Koenig, the incumbent, and Frank Carbone both took part, as did District 3 contenders Louis Baker, incumbent Donna Cox, Deanna O’Donnell and John Wehrly.

Questions posed to potential commissioners included those focusing on Yucca Mountain, the local water concerns, enforcement of county code, continued residential development in Pahrump, the possible reinstatement of the Pahrump Town Board and more.

Readers who may have missed out on the live broadcast of the GOP Debate can catch up on the event by visiting the following links:

■ Assembly — https://www.facebook.com/watchparty/587569878545196/?entry_source=PAGE_TIMELINE

■ Congress — https://www. facebook.com/watchparty/242412630357988/?entry_source=PAGE_TIMELINE

■ Commission District 1 — https://www.facebook.com/watch party/181094876527609/?entry_source=PAGE_TIMELINE

■ Commission District 2 — https://www.facebook.com/watch party/255399385574059/?entry_source=PAGE_TIMELINE

■ Commission District 3 — https://www.facebook.com/watch party/256048005489837/?entry_source=PAGE_TIMELINE

Coverage of interviews with each of the candidates appearing on the primary ballot for Assembly District 36, Congressional District 4 and commission districts 1, 2 and 3 can be found online at www.pvtimes.com. Interviews with candidates for the nonpartisan Nye County School Board of Trustees Area VI seat are included on the website as well.

Voters are reminded that the 2020 primary election is being conducted with absentee ballots, which should have been received by area voters earlier this month. Absentee ballots can be returned via mail or dropped off at the Nye County Clerk’s Office in Pahrump, 1520 E. Basin Avenue or in Tonopah, 101 Radar Road, during early voting hours.

Early voting hours are reserved for dropping off absentee ballots, registering to vote and receiving a provisional ballot or updating existing voter registration information. Voters can also bring their blank absentee ballots to the clerk’s office and fill them out on site but there will be no electronic voting machines available.

Early voting hours are May 29 from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m.; Saturday, May 30 from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.; Monday, June 1 through Friday, June 5 from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m.; and Tuesday, June 9, from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m.

Contact reporter Robin Hebrock at rhebrock@pvtimes.com