Assemblyman to run for Titus’ seat

Assemblyman David Parks, D-Las Vegas, announced Friday he plans to run for the state Senate seat being vacated by Dina Titus, who is leaving the Legislature to run for Congress.

"I've worked with most of the senators and we have a good rapport," Parks, a member of the Assembly for 12 years, said Friday. "I see this as a good opportunity to move up and serve a larger constituency."

Parks, 64, is a former budget director for the city of Las Vegas and was the chief financial officer of the Regional Transportation Commission prior to that, work he said has prepared him to deal with the difficulties of the state budget.

"I'm probably as knowledgeable as anybody regarding not only state government and its operation but also taxation in the state," he said. "I think, without a doubt, we're going to have to look at the possibility of trying to find new revenue sources."

Currently serving as the Assembly chairman of the Select Committee on Corrections, Parole and Probations, Parks previously chaired the Government Affairs and Taxation committees.

If elected, Parks would become the first openly gay member of the state Senate.

Hoping to replace Parks in Assembly District 41 is Paul Aizley, a math professor at UNLV who announced his candidacy, which is supported by Parks, on Friday.

Aizley, 72, previously made an unsuccessful run for university regent. He said his position as a faculty member would influence his legislative priorities.

"I have a perspective on education problems that probably not a lot of other legislators have," he said. "I see the link from K through 12 to the university as something that needs work."

Aizley said he also is concerned about recent reports of poor student performance on math tests.

Both Senate District 7 and Assembly District 41 are strongly Democratic.

Of the nearly 17,000 residents of Assembly District 41, which runs east of Las Vegas Boulevard from Flamingo Road to Pebble Road and includes McCarran International Airport, 48 percent are registered Democrats while 30 percent are Republicans.

Senate District 7 covers a large central swath of the Las Vegas metropolitan area and contains 52 percent registered Democrats ant 27 percent Republicans.

Titus, a 20-year veteran of the Senate, had been the leader of the Democratic minority. Senate Democrats plan to meet this coming Friday to elect a new leader.

Contact reporter Molly Ball at mball@reviewjournal.com or 702-387-2919.