NAME: Mercedes Krause
AGE: 46
PARTY AFFILIATION: Democrat
DAY JOB: Educator
EDUCATION:
Bachelor’s in Elementary Education from University of Nevada Las Vegas, Master’s in Administrative Leadership with a focus on American Indian Education from Concordia University, Doctorate in Educational Leadership and Policy from UNLV in progress
HOW LONG YOU HAVE LIVED IN NEVADA:
Born and raised in Nevada
WRITE A BRIEF (TWO TO THREE SENTENCES) SUMMARY OF YOUR PROFESSIONAL EXPERIENCE THAT WOULD ENABLE YOU TO PERFORM THE DUTIES OF THIS OFFICE:
I have been an educator and union activist for over 20 years. I currently serve the state in several capacities: Commissioner on the Nevada Minority Affairs Commission (Education Committee Chair), co-founder of Indigenous Educators Empowerment, Chair of the Nevada Native Caucus, I was an inaugural member of the Superintendent’s Advisory Cabinet for the Nevada Department of Education, and I am on the board of the Nevada State Education Association, the Nevada Minority Health and Equity Coalition – Native American Steering Committee, the ACLU of Nevada, and the Nevada Democratic Party.
WHAT IS YOUR TOP PRIORITY IF ELECTED?
Inflation relief is the top priority for many Nevadans, including myself. But there are several contributing policy areas (including education, health care and climate) that need to be addressed in order to achieve sustainable relief and protection from economic hardships like inflation.
IN JUST A FEW SENTENCES: WHAT DO YOU BELIEVE IS THE BIGGEST PROBLEM FACING OUR COUNTRY, AND HOW WOULD YOU FIX IT?
The ability of Nevadans to live in dignity is my priority first and foremost. There are several areas to focus on in order to ensure this for our neighbors – living wages and housing costs protections; limit corporate, out-of-state and foreign investors who are pricing out local citizens; access to affordable healthcare, mental healthcare, educational and economic opportunities. We need to be able to do our jobs and live a peaceful life without these extra pressures caused by opportunity and wage inequities
INFLATION AND HOUSING PRICES ARE AT RECORD HIGHS—WHAT’S YOUR PLAN TO HELP NEVADANS WHO ARE STRUGGLING FINANCIALLY?
Nevadans work hard for their money and deserve leadership who will fight to reduce the deficit, lower prescription drug costs, make healthcare more affordable for Nevada families, and support domestic energy production and manufacturing to help combat the climate crisis. It is my impetus to be here for every Nevadan by voting and allocating funding to make a life of dignity more accessible. I will fight to bring federal dollars to Nevada to invest in training programs to prepare workers for high-quality jobs in fast growing sectors like public health, child care, manufacturing, IT and clean energy. Anything that creates stronger economic opportunities, stronger communities, healthier Nevadans - that’s what I’m focused on. I come without prejudice on any issue.
Tax credits to compensate for the high cost of housing and living for those working full-time, but not earning enough to cover costs - real credits that cover the gap in wages and cost of living.
Rent stabilization, caps and subsidies
Enforcement and accountability of existing oil and gas price gouging protections
IF THE LEGAL RIGHT TO ABORTION WERE TO COME UP FOR A VOTE IN CONGRESS, WOULD YOU VOTE FOR IT? WHY OR WHY NOT?
I would absolutely vote to codify abortion access. I believe a woman’s right to make their own healthcare choices is one of the biggest threats facing Nevadans. We don’t need the government legislating how and when we start our families. This is a decision between a woman, her doctor and her faith.
IN ONE SENTENCE: WHAT’S THE MOST IMPORTANT THING VOTERS SHOULD KNOW ABOUT YOU?
I am not a politician, and I won’t ever pretend to have the answers to everything; I commit to always seeking the advice of people who have lived experience on the issues and those who have the experience and dedication needed to improve our lives.
YES OR NO: WILL YOU ACCEPT THE RESULTS OF THIS ELECTION, WHETHER YOU WIN OR LOSE?
Yes
