TERESA F. BENITEZ-THOMPSON

NAME: Teresa Benitez-Thompson

AGE:  48

PARTY AFFILIATION:  Democrat 

DAY JOB:  

Social Worker 

EDUCATION: 

University of Nevada-Reno (bachelor’s degree), University of Michigan (master’s degree in social work)

HOW LONG YOU HAVE LIVED IN NEVADA:  

44 years

WRITE A BRIEF (TWO TO THREE SENTENCES) SUMMARY OF YOUR PROFESSIONAL EXPERIENCE THAT WOULD ENABLE YOU TO PERFORM THE DUTIES OF THIS OFFICE:

For more than 25 years, I have been committed to building a better Nevada. From finding adoptive homes for children with special needs and helping support critically-ill patients to serving in the state legislature, I have first-hand experience with community engagement, policymaking, and supporting Nevadans at every step of my journey.

WHAT IS YOUR TOP PRIORITY IF ELECTED? 

We need an economy that works for everyone, and my top priority is ensuring that everyone has a reliable job that allows them to provide for their families. We know that people are tired of watching their paychecks go straight into their gas tanks while trying to stock their fridge and keep up with rising medical costs. I want to stop costly trade wars and tariffs that keep prices soaring and fight corruption.

IN JUST A FEW SENTENCES: WHAT DO YOU BELIEVE IS THE BIGGEST PROBLEM FACING OUR COUNTRY, AND HOW WOULD YOU FIX IT?

Washington has lost sight of Americans’ concerns. Seniors tell me they want bi-partisan solutions to fix social security. Workers tell me they worry about losing their jobs to unchecked AI. Parents worry their children will never be able to afford a house. America is locked into another war in the Middle East with no end in sight. I will work to fix these issues by standing up to the corrupt politicians profiting from unchecked corporate power and endless war.

CONSUMER PRICES, GAS PRICES, AND HOUSING COSTS ARE HISTORICALLY HIGH, WHILE WAGES HAVE NOT KEPT PACE IN NEVADA. WHAT IS YOUR PLAN TO HELP NEVADANS WHO ARE STRUGGLING FINANCIALLY?

We must end the expensive and unpredictable tariffs that are driving up costs on consumers and making it harder for businesses to plan. We must end the war in Iran that is causing the price of gas and diesel to skyrocket. And I will work to bring federal dollars into Nevada to build housing that Nevadans can afford.

WHERE DO YOU STAND ON THE RAPID DEVELOPMENT OF AI, AND THE PROLIFERATION OF DATA CENTERS? WHAT ROLE DO YOU SEE NEVADA TAKING IN EACH?

There are no safeguards to prevent AI from stealing people’s work and leaving people without jobs. AI is evolving rapidly, so our laws must get ahead and stay ahead to ensure that people aren’t left behind while Big Tech profits. I oppose dirty data centers being rushed into construction without any protections for energy and water bills. We need to bring new jobs to Northern Nevada, but not without safeguards that make sure corporations respect existing water users and fully pay their electricity bills, rather than passing the cost onto ratepayers.

IN ONE SENTENCE: WHAT’S THE MOST IMPORTANT THING VOTERS SHOULD KNOW ABOUT YOU?

I have dedicated my life to public service as a social worker and in the state legislature, raised a family, and built my life here because I have always and will always call Northern Nevada home.

YES OR NO: WILL YOU ACCEPT THE RESULTS OF THIS ELECTION, WHETHER YOU WIN OR LOSE?  

Yes

IF YOU ANSWERED “NO” ABOVE, PLEASE EXPLAIN: