Brothel owner Dennis Hof announces Nevada Assembly run in 2018

With the primary election 10 months away, brothel owner Dennis Hof is already announcing another run for the Nevada Assembly District 36.

Hof unsuccessfully challenged incumbent Assemblyman James Oscarson, R-Pahrump, in the 2016 general election, netting 39.2 percent of the vote in Assembly District 36 against Oscarson’s 60.8 percent. Hof, who ran as a Libertarian in 2016, has since switched his affiliation to Republican.

Most recently, Hof put numerous billboards around Pahrump and Amargosa Valley advertising his new party affiliation and announcing his 2018 Assembly run.

“I’m going to work hard to get their votes,” Hof said about Republican voters in District 36.

Nevada’s primary election will take place on June 12, 2018. The 2018 general election is set for Nov. 6.

During the 2016 campaign, Hof harshly criticized Oscarson’s support of extended and new taxes that represented one of the largest tax packages in Nevada history. Hof said this time around, his main campaign issues are going to be lower taxes, along with water and the Second Amendment.

“We need more people that are more concerned about what’s good for the people and not for the politicians’ pocketbooks,” Hof said.

“It’s time to get rid of pay-for-play politicians. There’s too many of them in Nevada,” Hof said.

Oscarson, who has been serving in the Nevada Assembly since 2013, said he plans to defend his seat.

“I guess I will be the first assemblyman in Nevada history to have a pimp run against me twice,” Oscarson said. “It’s a little early for this dialogue, but after the first of the year, we will move forward. I’m definitely in the race to win it.”

Meanwhile, Hof said he is already venturing out to constituents 40 weeks ahead of the primary election.

He recently sent out postcards to all Republicans in Assembly District 36. He said he got calls from people who wanted to donate money and help with a campaign.

“I do have a lot of support in my district. I had a lot of support as a Libertarian, and now, I have a tremendous support as a Republican,” Hof said.

In addition, Hof wants to put more campaign information on a campaign website.

“I’m going to be everywhere meeting everyone, and I want them to know that I will be working for them,” Hof said.

No other candidates for Assembly District 36 have announced their runs so far.

Nye County Clerk Sandra “Sam” Merlino said that while candidates are making announcements that they are running for office, they can’t file for candidacy until March 5-16, 2018.

“It’s legal for candidates to announce that they are running ahead of the filing date,” Merlino said. “There are certain statutes that set beginning dates for accepting donations.”

“We start advertising candidates in December,” Merlino said. “I’m fairly certain we will be getting into things pretty quickly.”

Nevada Assembly District 36 covers Nye and Lincoln counties and portions of Clark County.

Contact reporter Daria Sokolova at dsokolova@pvtimes.com. On Twitter: @dariasokolova77