Nevada State Assembly District 29 candidate surveys, 2022

Elections in Nevada, 2022

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This article shows responses from candidates in the 2022 election for Nevada State Assembly District 29 who completed Ballotpedia's Candidate Connection survey.

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• Click here to see Candidate Connection survey responses.

Candidates and election results

General election

General election for Nevada State Assembly District 29

Incumbent Lesley E. Cohen defeated Rhonda Knightly in the general election for Nevada State Assembly District 29 on November 8, 2022.

		Candidate	%	Votes
✔		Lesley E. Cohen (D)	53.1	12,679
		Rhonda Knightly (R)	46.9	11,181

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	Incumbents are bolded and underlined. The results have been certified. Source	Total votes: 23,860
= candidate completed the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection survey.
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Ballotpedia's Candidate Connection survey responses

Ballotpedia asks all federal, state, and local candidates to complete a survey and share what motivates them on political and personal levels. The section below shows responses from candidates in this race who completed Ballotpedia's Candidate Connection survey. Candidates are asked three required questions for this survey, but they may answer additional optional questions as well.

Survey responses from candidates in this race

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Note: Ballotpedia reserves the right to edit Candidate Connection survey responses. Any edits made by Ballotpedia will be clearly marked with [brackets] for the public. If the candidate disagrees with an edit, he or she may request the full removal of the survey response from Ballotpedia.org. Ballotpedia does not edit or correct typographical errors unless the candidate's campaign requests it.

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Please list below 3 key messages of your campaign. What are the main points you want voters to remember about your goals for your time in office?

Rhonda Knightly (R)

Public Safety - As a wife, mother, and concerned citizen, public safety is of utmost importance and a top priority. Having worked within the criminal justice and law enforcement systems, I have witnessed firsthand the challenges our officers face today due to staffing shortages, lack of respect for the badge, mental health, homelessness, and opioid abuse. Backing and providing support for the men, women, sons, and daughters, who are putting their lives on the line for the good of our community everyday, is what I have proven experience doing, and I would never vote to defund these heroes.  I also support the second amendment and will oppose restrictions on our gun rights. Her commitment to defend this right is absolute.

Strong Diverse Economy - The best way to attract and grow business is to support local businesses, keep taxes low, provide a qualified workforce, and limit regulations. Thriving companies provide a boost through employment and spending. Reaching full employment means more wages, more wages mean more spending; this is how the economic cycle of prosperity continues. This is a boost for Nevada and are principles that I will fight for in Carson City.

Education - Education is the great equalizer; we need to be resolute in giving our children the best foundation for their, and Nevada's future. We are now 49th in the nation and our children deserve so much better. 

My children went to school here in Nevada, and while I’ve seen some amazing educators, I also experienced that our public school system is not one-size-fits-all. Because of this I support parental choice, homeschooling, charter schools, and moreover getting school funding into the classroom. Educators need resources to be able to prepare students to be enter as a skilled workforce and/or to pursue college. We are now 49th in the nation and our children deserve so much better. 


What areas of public policy are you personally passionate about?

Rhonda Knightly (R)

Results! Since I am not a career politician (I am an educated 40-year work-experienced mother of six), I am passionate about having government stop talking and get to doing. Every two years pubic safety, education, diversifying the economy, and getting quality healthcare to Nevada, are all the continued public policy topics everyone is talking about. We citizens need results; our children and grandchildren need results! I am passionate about listening to regular folks AND experts, working to do what is right and not just easy, and ultimately shaping a plan for Nevada's future. And that long term plan shouldn't start and stop with getting elected the next election cycle.

Who do you look up to? Whose example would you like to follow, and why?

Rhonda Knightly (R)

My Grandmother. Although she passed 15 years ago, she was the hardest working, community giving, perpetually smiling, family loving person I've had the pleasure to look up to. All of these are traits that should be emulated.

What characteristics or principles are most important for an elected official?

Rhonda Knightly (R)

An elected official is best when they have high integrity, listen and are open to differing ideas, has a proactive moving-forward attitude, and have the ability to keep things in perspective.

What qualities do you possess that you believe would make you a successful officeholder?

Rhonda Knightly (R)

Integrity, professional and life experience giving me perspective, and fiscal adeptness.

What do you believe are the core responsibilities for someone elected to this office?

Rhonda Knightly (R)

The core responsibilities of the Nevada Assembly is to listen, study, focus and best represent the constituents within the district in which you were elected.

What legacy would you like to leave?

Rhonda Knightly (R)

I'd like to be an active part of Nevada to stop talking about our issues with education, diversifying the economy and healthcare because we solved the problems!

What is the first historical event that happened in your lifetime that you remember? How old were you at the time?

Rhonda Knightly (R)

President Nixon's resignation. I was 8 years old.

What was your very first job? How long did you have it?

Rhonda Knightly (R)

Unofficially, babysitting, house cleaning, and lawn mowing. Officially, the movie theatre as concessions right up until they realized I was great at math and was promoted to cashier. I worked there for my last two years of high school.

What is your favorite book? Why?

Rhonda Knightly (R)

I'm a HUGE reader and so picking one is very difficult. So while John Grisham is my favorite must read fiction author, the book that I recommend to EVERYONE and give it as gifts often is Defining Your Life by Bill Burnett & Dave Evans. It takes you through stories and exercises to that there isn't just one best path for your life there are many; and you just have to ideate, dream, experience, prototype and go for it to achieve a well-lived and joyful life.

If you could be any fictional character, who would you want to be?

Rhonda Knightly (R)

A female Sherlock Holmes.

What was the last song that got stuck in your head?

Rhonda Knightly (R)

Queen's Crazy Little Thing Called Love (lol)

What is something that has been a struggle in your life?

Rhonda Knightly (R)

Having six children (I have three and my husband has three) I have had a handful of challenges with our Nevada education system. One size truly doesn't fit all when it comes to education and so I do favor school choice. This does not mean defunding public education, but in supporting parents to be able to do what is best for their own children, having the dollars follow the child, and getting money to classrooms.

What do you believe is the ideal relationship between the governor and state legislature?

Rhonda Knightly (R)

A relationship where checks and balances ensure that all sides of issues can be discussed and what is best for Nevada can get accomplished.

What do you perceive to be your state's greatest challenges over the next decade?

Rhonda Knightly (R)

Water issues, the economy, public safety, and education.

What are the benefits and drawbacks of a unicameral state legislature, in your opinion?

Rhonda Knightly (R)

Fortunately in Nevada this isn't the kind of state legislature that we have. However, the benefits could be in getting things done in a less expensive manner. The drawbacks also include getting things done while not having additional input or checks and balances.

Do you believe that it’s beneficial for state legislators to have previous experience in government or politics?

Rhonda Knightly (R)

Yes, I believe that my experience in government gives me an advantage to be able to hit the ground running up in Carson City as well as having established networks of subject matter experts on virtually all topics to be able to evaluate pros and cons for my constituents. Additionally, having an understanding of the challenges that governments face, especially when wanting small government, is a significant advantage to writing/advocating useful legislation. Having experience in politics, also could be useful to be able to know how things get done but with diminishing returns. The more political experience, the less recent real world experience and that could lead to being out of touch.

Do you believe it’s beneficial to build relationships with other legislators? Please explain your answer.

Rhonda Knightly (R)

Relationships are good in any field. The smartest people cannot get anything done without being able to communicate their ideas. Relationships are how ideas get discussed and collaboration usually makes a single idea even better.

What process do you favor for redistricting?

Rhonda Knightly (R)

A bi-partisan effort.

If you are not a current legislator, are there certain committees that you would want to be a part of?

Rhonda Knightly (R)

Revenue, legislative operations and elections, and ways and means

If you are a current legislator, what appealed to you about your current committees?

Rhonda Knightly (R)

n/a

Are you interested in running for a different political office (for example, the U.S. Congress or governor) in the future?

Rhonda Knightly (R)

Yes, I would like to be part of the Henderson City Council in the great state of Nevada after I retire. I love this city and want to be active in ensuring it is a great place to live, work and play for my children's children's children!

Both sitting legislators and candidates for office hear many personal stories from the residents of their district. Is there a story that you’ve heard that you found particularly touching, memorable, or impactful?

Rhonda Knightly (R)

In walking the district and talking to my neighbors, I have heard so many stories of challenges, hardships, and then of pulling together and hope. The most recent memorable story involves the challenges of education and the setbacks through the pandemic. The story is of a household's children not initially getting the skillsets needed to adequately advance to the next grade level. This was a message that I heard reinforced several times but that isn't how the story ends. The family then went on to say how some great local teachers went above and beyond to ensure that these gaps were addressed, skills reinforced and friendships made.

Tell us your favorite joke.

Rhonda Knightly (R)

A man went into a seafood restaurant and asked for a lobster tail. The server smiled and began, "Once upon a time there was a very handsome lobster."

Should the legislature oversee or grant the use of emergency powers?

Rhonda Knightly (R)

Yes. While the Governor should be able to take emergency action, the legislature should oversee the use and within a set timeframe (say 30 days) vote to uphold or to change direction of those actions.

Do you believe that compromise is necessary or desirable for policymaking?

Rhonda Knightly (R)

Absolutely! Without compromise, you risk failing entirely while with compromise you may still realize a success or win of what is most important to your position. Shutting off communication leaves you out of the entire conversation.

See also

More about these elections:

• Nevada State Assembly elections, 2022

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