2012 Voter Guide: Nevada Senate District 18

In making her first bid for political office, Ross stresses she is someone who will go out of her way to work with Republicans and could not care less if a good idea comes from a Democrat or a Republican.

"I am running because I am frustrated at what is happening in Carson City," Ross said. "If it is a Democrat idea, Republicans hate it, and vice versa. I have a real problem with partisan politicians. You are supposed to be public servants."

Hammond, however, said Ross must be speaking about him. He said he carved a record in the 2011 session as a legislator willing to work with Democrats. In fact, he was attacked by his primary opponent, Assemblyman Richard McArthur, for voting to continue $600 million in temporary taxes for two more years.

District 18 was a central Nevada district represented by retiring Republican Senate leader Mike McGinness. Because of redistricting and the population growth in Clark County, it has become a toss-up district. As of Oct. 1, Republicans held an almost 1,000-registered voter edge over Democrats out of about 62,000 voters.

Ross is the spouse of Las Vegas City Councilman Steve Ross. For 10 years, she ran an electrical contracting business, which she closed during the recession.

As the result of her business background, Ross uses the typical Republican strategy of urging voters to support her, a person who understands business, against Hammond, an Indian Springs Spanish teacher. She said he lacks business experience and has "three publicly funded jobs." Besides being a schoolteacher, Hammond is a college instructor and state legislator.

But Hammond maintains he is a staunch business supporter and in 2013 wants to create incentives that help existing Nevada business grow. He has won the endorsement of the Nevada Federation of Independent Businesses and the Las Vegas Chamber of Commerce.

"I understand the struggles of businesses and I have been endorsed by them," Hammond said, adding that Ross has not.

Neither candidate is supportive of new taxes. Ross called the 1.17 percent modified business tax "the most ridiculous tax." She favors getting rid of it and instead expanding the sales tax base.

Hammond said he voted last year to extend sales and business taxes only because of a Nevada Supreme Court decision that put the state budget short of what it needed to balance.

"It was the prudent thing to do," he said. "But I don’t think we need to go in and create more taxes right now."

He will not commit to supporting Gov. Brian Sandoval’s plans to again extend taxes until it is determined how much additional revenue the economy has generated.

Both candidates oppose the proposed 2 percent business margins tax backed by the Nevada State Education Association.

"Margin taxes will hurt businesses," Hammond said. "The answer to education’s problems is not just throwing more money at education."

He supports expanding charter schools and favors education vouchers and making the spending of money by school districts more transparent.

Ross said education in Clark County could be improved if funds from there were not taken by the state and used to support Northern Nevada and rural counties.

"We need to take it back," she said. "Our students need desks, paper and books."

Doing away with the modified business tax would allow local businesses to expand, hire more workers and induce more business investment in Nevada, she said.

"I am a moderate Democrat and a National Rifle Association member," Ross said. "I am not a liberal and not completely conservative. No one can pigeonhole me."

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