ASSEMBLY DISTRICT No. 12

The Democratic primary in Assembly District 12 pits a one-term incumbent with a long-serving name against a first-time candidate who seems eager to define himself in unusual ways.

James Ohrenschall, 35, is a Las Vegas native and UNLV graduate who replaced his mother, Genie, as the Assembly member for District 12 in 2007.

Genie Ohrenschall represented the district for 12 years.

Aaron Matthew Hall, 32, is a single father and political activist who proudly describes himself as a "pagan/witch" and "a very left-wing liberal from back East."

Among his accomplishments, Ohrenschall lists bills strengthening protections for workers and medical patients.

He also takes pride in a few measures he couldn't get through during his first session as a lawmaker, particularly a tax credit for people who buy hybrid cars.

He has already made bill draft requests for measures that would open car pool lanes to individuals in hybrid cars, seek to curb copper theft and create a state registry of people convicted of domestic battery.

"I feel like I've done a good job representing my constituents in my first term, and I'll do an even better job in my second term," he said.

If elected, Hall said, he would focus on such issues as education and the prevention of child abuse.

"I want to provide leadership," he said. "For the last 20 years with the Ohrenschalls, we've had people who didn't represent us."

As for his status as a "pagan/witch," Hall had this to say: "I think it shows I'm not just the average white male Christian. I believe in multiple gods. Instead of prayers, I read spells. It just presents a different view of life."

Hall moved to Las Vegas from Connecticut in 1999, hence the "very left-wing liberal from back East" tag.

"A lot of people run from that term, but I embrace it," he said.

The winner will meet Republican Dallas Augustine, 28, in the general election.

She is the daughter of Kathy Augustine, who represented District 12 in the Assembly and served as a state senator and state controller before she was murdered in 2006 by her husband Chaz Higgs.

Contact reporter Henry Brean at hbrean@ reviewjournal.com or 702-383-0350.