Republican files as candidate for vacant state Senate District 9

CARSON CITY -- Mari Nakashima St. Martin, a former spokeswoman for the state Republican Party, announced Monday that she will be a candidate for the state Senate District 9 seat vacated last month when Elizabeth Halseth resigned.

St. Martin, a native Nevadan, could be the sole Republican candidate in the race since political newcomer Vick Gill, who announced his candidacy in February, said Monday he will not run. Gill only had registered to vote on Feb. 8.

Democrat Justin Jones also is seeking the seat. They are running to serve out the final two years of Halseth's four-year term.

Democrats hold an advantage of 2,100 registered voters in the district. But since the Democrats hold only a 11-10 membership advantage in the upper house, both parties are expected to aggressively fight for the seat.

"I am running for the state Senate not just as a concerned citizen, but as a new mom," St. Martin said. "I know our city, our state and many of the residents of the 9th District have seen some hard times in the last few years but I want my daughter to experience the opportunity and growth of the Nevada I knew growing up."

Besides serving as state GOP communications director, St. Martin previously worked as a spokeswoman for Rep. Joe Heck, R-Nev., and as an aide in Washington for Sen. Dean Heller, R-Nev., when he served in the House of Representatives. She now is a sales and community outreach representative for a small business.

She and her husband, Jack, have one child, a daughter, Darla.

As a senator, St. Martin said she would be an advocate for policies that create jobs and encourage entrepreneurs and the creation of small businesses.

"I know our best days are ahead of us and I will work hard for the votes of those in the 9th District and work hard for them in Carson City," said St. Martin in a statement.

She grew up in Ely.

Contact Capital Bureau Chief Ed Vogel at evogel@reviewjournl.com or 775-687-3901.