Editor’s note: The Pahrump Valley Times will be running articles on all the candidates seeking a Nye County Commission seat, and candidates from other races, during the next few weeks leading up to the start of early voting on May 28.
Nye County commission candidate David Lancaster said government is essentially a business, and the county needs to get its business affairs in order.
“If government is not run like a business, it’s going to cave in,” he said. “Running District II as a business is essential to making it work.”
Lancaster, a 20-year plus Pahrump resident, is one of five Republicans running in the District II primary June 8. He said his platform is truth, trust, transparency and teamwork.
He said governmental bodies would do better to find alternative sources of revenue before cutting taxes.
“We need to focus on what it’s going to affect if we decide we’re going to shut down a certain tax,” he said. “Before considering shutting down or rescinding a tax, let’s come up with an understanding that something has to take its place. We have to have something in place or we’re going to lose.”
As a political newcomer, the former truck-driving veteran said there are up sides to those who enter politics with fresh eyes and ideas.
In previous years, he hosted the “Swap Shop” show on local television.
“I am a new kid on the block and I have never been into politics before,” he said. “I have not really dealt with the issue of government as far as the commission goes, but I am catching on real fast. My mind is clear and I’m not cluttered with what happened in the past.”
Additionally, Lancaster said he has the flair and skills to solve complex problems.
“I enjoy talking to people and I enjoy working on problems,” he said. “I have never run for office before and I find it rather perplexing that instead of working together and saying how we can come up with a solution, people get angry. They think their idea is the best idea. I believe we should sit down and talk about it to come up with a viable solution.”
Other GOP candidates in District II include Amy Riches, Sal Ledsema, John Koenig and Ray Grant. The winner will face lone Democrat candidate Harley Kulkin on Nov. 8.
Contact reporter Selwyn Harris at sharris@pvtimes.com. On Twitter: @pvtimes