2012 PRIMARY ELECTION: ASSEMBLY DISTRICT 28

First-term incumbent Assemblywoman Lucy Flores faces two challengers in the Democratic primary in District 28.

There are no Republicans in the race.

Flores said she's campaigning just as hard this time, walking neighborhoods in the working-class district that covers North Las Vegas and Las Vegas.

"I'm still very committed to ensuring that my community members know who I am," said Flores, a lawyer who sometimes found herself in trouble with the law while growing up in District 28. "I have firsthand knowledge of the obstacles associated with living in middle to lower income neighborhoods."

Flores, a high-school dropout who eventually turned her life around through educational opportunities, said increasing funding for education is one of her biggest priorities.

"We need a well-trained and educated work force to attract business to Nevada," she said.

The 2011 Legislature, Flores explains, took a strong stab at pulling the state out of its economic woes.

"I think we laid some very good foundation," she said. "Collectively, we put ourselves in a good place to continue making progress on a more sustainable budget and a more sustainable tax system."

Flores said she supports finding ways to broaden the tax base and seeks a comprehensive approach to balancing the state's budget at the next legislative session.

"We have to have a stable tax base," she said. "It has to be fair. It has to be equitable."

One of her challengers, Luis Rendon, said raising taxes should be a last resort at the Legislature.

Rendon, a supervisor at the Las Vegas constable's office, said lawmakers need to fix spending first and make sure there's a reason to raise taxes.

Rendon, a political newcomer, said he's running "to give a voice to the people."

If elected, he wants to sit down with his constituents and discuss the issues important to them before heading to Carson City.

"We're not there to represent ourselves," he said. "We're there to represent the district. I want to put our heads together to make changes that will affect people's lives in a positive way."

The other Democratic candidate in the race, Las Vegas native Abraham Camejo, said he's running for the first time because he wants to make a difference.

"As a small-business owner, I believe I can bring different ideas to the table," he said.

On his campaign website, Camejo said he's a firm believer in the importance of education and has served as a youth mentor. He wants to give students the tools they need to succeed.

Camejo, who runs a cleaning service, said he plans to bring a "common sense" approach to the Legislature.

He said he will look for ways to put Nevadans back to work, help small businesses grow and improve transparency in government.

Contact Jeff German at jgerman@reviewjournal.com or 702-380-8135.