Ex-teacher aims for Assembly

A Democrat from a political family announced her candidacy Monday for what is likely to be one of this year's most competitive Assembly races.

Marilyn Dondero Loop, 56, is running for the open Assembly District 5 seat formerly held by Republican Valerie Weber, who is running for the Clark County Commission. A Republican candidate, Donna Toussaint, also is seeking the office.

Dondero Loop, a former teacher who now works as a textbook saleswoman for a publishing company, is the daughter of university system Regent Thalia Dondero, a former county commissioner, and the late Harvey Dondero, a longtime education administrator.

She said her family's tradition of public service impelled her to run for office.

"I grew up in Las Vegas in a household that's been involved in public service forever," she said.

"I really feel like there isn't an option. You can't sit on the sidelines with a city you love and a state you love."

Dondero Loop said she sees the top issues as education, health care and public safety.

"I am not happy with the status quo," she said. "We are facing serious challenges in this community. I thought it was time for me to step up and be part of the solution."

An elementary school teacher for 30 years, Dondero Loop said one way to improve education would be to provide better support for teachers to improve recruitment and retention.

Assembly District 5, which covers a part of the western Las Vegas Valley between Tropicana and Sahara avenues and between Jones Boulevard and Hualapai Way, is closely split between Democrats and Republicans. In recent months, Democrats have built a growing edge in voter registration.

There are 1,223 more registered Democrats than Republicans in the district. Some 43 percent of the district's voters are Democrats, while 38 percent are Republicans, according to the Clark County Election Department.

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