2012 PRIMARY ELECTION: ASSEMBLY DISTRICT 34

The primary race for the seat in Assembly District 34 pits a veteran politician against a newcomer to the Silver State's legislative arena.

Democrats William Horne, who was first elected to the seat in 2002, will face Steven Maczka, a transplant to Southern Nevada from Michigan.

Maczka didn't return several calls and emails for comment.

Horne said his familiarity with his district and Southern Nevada is what gives him an advantage.

He moved to the Las Vegas Valley at the age of 7 when his father transferred to Nellis Air Force Base. He graduated from Western High School in 1980, and later from the University of Nevada, Las Vegas' law school.

"Las Vegas is my home," Horne said. "Many people I grew up with still live in the distinct. That gives me the edge."

In his decade serving in the Assembly, Horne said he is most proud of his co-sponsorship of a law that made choking a spouse or partner in a domestic disturbance a felony. Prior to passage of the law in the 2009 Legislature, choking was only a misdemeanor.

He introduced the bill with Assemblywoman Heidi Gansert, R-Reno.

Horne said he is an advocate of education starting at the K-12 level. He said too many state politicians cut from it because they see it as a short-term solution.

"To move forward where we want to be, K-12 and higher ed need to be strong," he said.

Horne said the economy is turning around. He said his political philosophy has always been that government must find a balance between cutting programs and raising taxes, especially in lean economic times.

Whoever wins the primary will face Republican Clark Harrington.

Democrats hold the majority among registered voters in District 34, but the nearly 5,000 independent voters could tilt the scale.

Contact reporter Antonio Planas at aplanas@reviewjournal.com or 702-383-4638.