Nevada State Senate District 16 candidate surveys, 2022

Elections in Nevada, 2022

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This article shows responses from candidates in the 2022 election for Nevada State Senate District 16 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 Senate District 16

Lisa Krasner defeated Aaron Sims in the general election for Nevada State Senate District 16 on November 8, 2022.

		Candidate	%	Votes
✔		Lisa Krasner (R)	60.3	42,871
		Aaron Sims (D)	39.7	28,172

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	There were no incumbents in this race. The results have been certified. Source	Total votes: 71,043
= 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?

Aaron Sims (D)

The housing crisis plaguing Nevada needs to be fixed, I plan to work on legislation to do just that. We need to work with the rural housing authority in order to find a way to cap rental prices and reduce inflated property prices.

We are at the bottom of every list for education. Two things we need to do to improve education in Nevada is to decrease class sizes and pay teachers more.

Healthcare continues to be out of reach for many Nevadans and many who have coverage have inadequate coverage. I believe we can offer a state single payer alternative to ensure all Nevadans get quality healthcare.

What areas of public policy are you personally passionate about?

Aaron Sims (D)

Outside of the three I already answered, I am passionate about transparency in government and working to make Nevada's legislature a full-time legislature. I believe in fighting for criminal justice reform and for better alternative energy. I am passionate about LGBTQ+ issues and protecting Nevadans ability to defend themselves.

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

Aaron Sims (D)

I look up to my partner. He is one of the most ethical and kind-hearted people I have ever known. He has a very detailed ideological system and he applies it everyday. Other than him, my mother because she is the most loving and graceful person I have ever known.

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

Aaron Sims (D)

Integrity, honesty, ability to negotiate and being diplomatic are the most important I think for elected officials.

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

Aaron Sims (D)

I believe I am honest, sometimes blunt. I am fairly charismatic and can orotate well. I am a skilled negotiator and can be very diplomatic.

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

Aaron Sims (D)

To serve the people of their district by listening to them and working with them.

What legacy would you like to leave?

Aaron Sims (D)

One that has closed the gap in education and healthcare coverage. Also, to have been someone who helped bring housing costs down.

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

Aaron Sims (D)

The first I can remember constantly being on the news was the Monica Lewinski scandal. I suppose that's unfortunate but I cannot remember too much before that in terms of historical events.

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

Aaron Sims (D)

My first job was working as a rides operator for a farm down in California that would have a Halloween themed amusement park every year.

What is your favorite book? Why?

Aaron Sims (D)

That's a tough one. I really like "What is philosophy" by Gary Hayden because it is a very basic guide to thought and logic. I also like "The Next 100 Years" by George Friedman because any book that kind of gives a reasonably projection of the future is something I always found interesting.

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

Aaron Sims (D)

"Down" By Jay Sean and Lil Wayne - Probably just because it was recently playing on my playlist.

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

Aaron Sims (D)

A working relationship but also one that respects the boundaries set forth by the Nevada Constitution. It's important that no matter who the governor is and who is in control of the state legislature, both entities should be able to work together when needed. However, it's important to maintain a balance and stay in each others lanes.

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

Aaron Sims (D)

Water resources. Nevada has only been getting drier in recent years due to an escalation in frequency of droughts caused by climate change. We need to develop new technology that allows our state to get water from other sources that are not just the traditional snow melt.

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

Aaron Sims (D)

The benefits of course would be checks and balances. Having two different houses which are responsible for similar things but are also organized differently and often have different priorities is a good thing because it gives the state a much bigger opportunity to hold one person or side or group accountable. A downside would be both gridlock which halts any progress or the inability to pass more legislation due to too much bureaucracy.

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

Aaron Sims (D)

I do believe so but of course it depends on what that experience is. Just having experience is not always a net-gain or benefit for the people.

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

Aaron Sims (D)

Absolutely, it's not just beneficial, it's necessary. You can't get a lot of legislation passed unless you have a good relationship with other legislators.

What process do you favor for redistricting?

Aaron Sims (D)

The most fair one that can happen. We really should just base it on population and that's it - not paying attention to who holds what party.

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

Aaron Sims (D)

Ways and means or the equivalent. I would also like to work on any that oversee housing and growth in Nevada.

Is there a particular legislator, past or present, whom you want to model yourself after?

Aaron Sims (D)

Although I am a progressive, I do admire Bill Raggio because he was a true statesmen who governed rather than politicizing his office.

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

Aaron Sims (D)

Possibly, I would rather focus on one election at a time.

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

Aaron Sims (D)

Partially. I do believe for things that impact all Nevadans or the majority of Nevadans, the legislature should be able to grant emergency powers. However, it is important not to be out of line with the governor's office in that area.

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

Aaron Sims (D)

I believe compromise is necessary in politics, it's really a have-to-do sort of thing if anything is supposed to get done. Personally, I won't compromise on solid values I have but other things are okay.

See also

More about these elections:

• Nevada State Senate elections, 2022

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