Governor Brian Sandoval today announced he has appointed Assemblywoman Marilyn Kirkpatrick to Clark County Commission District B, effective immediately. Kirkpatrick will fill the vacancy created by the resignation of Commissioner Tom Collins for a term ending January 1, 2017.
“Throughout her tenure in the Nevada State Assembly, Marilyn Kirkpatrick earned a solid reputation for her in-depth policy knowledge and tremendous hard work. She built bipartisan relationships and her record of accomplishment serves as a constant reminder of how effective we can be when we work together,” said Governor Brian Sandoval. “Marilyn will serve as an excellent member of the Clark County Commission and I am pleased she has agreed to serve in this new role. I would like to thank Commissioner Tom Collins for his service to our state and wish him all the best in his next endeavor.”
“I want to first thank my constituents, for their outpouring of support and kind words over the last few days. I would also like to thank Governor Brian Sandoval for appointing me to represent the residents of Commission District B. I am humbled by this appointment and look forward to getting to work for the constituents of my district,” said Marilyn Kirkpatrick.
“During my legislative career I learned that there is no greater honor than representing your neighbors when it comes to issues that affect their day to day lives. I’ve fought my entire career to increase education funding, create new jobs in Nevada, make our communities safer, and ensure our neighborhoods are places we can all be proud to raise our families in. I started as a PTA mother and Girl Scout leader, and not much has changed in the last decade. At heart I am a mother and grandmother who will go about everyday with a commitment to do what’s best for the families of Commission District B.”
Nevada State Democratic Party Chair Roberta Lange released the following statement:
“Democratic Leader Marilyn Kirkpatrick was the second woman in Nevada history to serve as Speaker of the Nevada Assembly and one of the only women in the United States to serve as Speaker of a legislative chamber. Marilyn has been an outstanding leader for Nevada Democrats through multiple legislative sessions where she led the charge to increase funding for education and fought to close special tax loopholes for large corporations.
“This past legislative session Marilyn outworked, outmaneuvered, and out-negotiated legislative Republicans on behalf of Democrats and working families. Under Marilyn and Senate Democratic Leader Aaron Ford’s leadership, Nevada’s early state status was saved, every Republican proposal to restrict voting rights was blocked, and a compromise to kill Republican attempts to eliminate the minimum wage for construction workers was successfully negotiated.
“Marilyn never forgot where she came from and is one of the smartest and hardest-working lawmakers in Nevada politics. She has been a strong supporter of the Democratic Party, and we applaud her appointment to the Clark County Commission. Marilyn will be an effective representative on the Clark County Commission, and Nevada Democrats look forward to continuing to work with her to create an economy that works for every Nevadan. She is a dear friend, a strong Democrat, and most importantly -- a relentless ally for working families.”
Assembly Democratic Caucus Chair Irene Bustamante Adams released this statement:
“Marilyn Kirkpatrick is the embodiment of a public servant and leader for Nevada. Her work during her legislative career on behalf of her constituents and working families is second to none. Myself and everyone in the Assembly Democratic Caucus applaud Governor Brian Sandoval ‘s selection, and look forward to working with Commissioner Marilyn Kirkpatrick in her new role.”
Kirkpatrick recently finished her 6th legislative session, and was termed out of office.
A native Nevadan, Marilyn Kirkpatrick has served in the Nevada State Assembly since the 2004 Special Session of the Nevada Legislature. Kirkpatrick‘s unmatched work ethic was on full display during the 2011 session where she chaired two major committees, Government Affairs, and Taxation. In 2013 Marilyn was elected by her colleagues to serve as the Speaker of the Assembly. During the 2015 session Marilyn returned to the legislature as the Democratic leader of the Assembly again working with her colleagues and the Governor to pass a historic revenue package that put our state on the path to a New Nevada for the 21st century. She was a founder of the Southern Nevada Forum where she worked with the Las Vegas Chamber of Commerce, labor unions, and community activists to champion initiatives for southern Nevada
