Mesquite to Moapa Democrats hold rally

By VERNON ROBISON

The Progress

The Mesquite to Moapa Democrats (M2M) held a rally entitled “True to the Blue” on Sunday afternoon, Feb. 4, in the Eureka Resort ballroom in Mesquite. About 100 area Democrats were in attendance to get fired up in support of President Joe Biden just in time for Nevada’s Presidential Preference Primary this week. The rally was also to celebrate the club’s 15 anniversary.

In attendance at the rally were a lineup of Democratic elected officials including U.S. Congressman Steven Horsford, Nevada Attorney General Aaron Ford, State Treasurer Zach Conine, State Senator Edgar Flores, County Commissioner Marilyn Kirkpatrick and County Clerk Lynn Goya.

In addition, rally attendees watched a recorded video message from U.S. Senator Jackie Rosen who was not able to be there in person at the event.

At one point during the afternoon, the rally became the enthusiastic backdrop to a national media interview. Horsford made a live remote appearance for the PoliticsNation program on MSNBC answering questions from the show’s host Al Sharpton. Attendees of the rally sat behind Horsford during the interview, listening carefully and cheering occasionally when they especially agreed with what he said.

Acting as master of ceremonies at the rally was Chris Miller, a former chair of the Clark County Democratic Party. Miller introduced each of the six honored guests and gave each one of them a few minutes to speak to the crowd.

Horsford emphasized the importance of re-electing President Joe Biden this year. He said that this was essential to a list of important Democratic issues including preserving free voting rights, protecting a woman’s right to choose, maintaining Medicare and Social Security, continuing the fight for LGBTQ rights and more.

As the highest ranking Democratic state elected official, Aaron Ford talked about the work he had been doing in protecting the rights of all Nevadans.

State Treasurer Zach Conin spoke briefly about the state of the Nevada economy saying that it was “strong.” He also informed the crowd of a growing sum of unclaimed property being held by the State Treasurers office. He encouraged Nevada residents to go to the State Treasurer’s website and do a search for any unclaimed property that might be in their name waiting to be claimed.

State Senator Edgar Flores brought his young family to the rally. Holding his young son in his arms, he spoke about his upbringing with working-class parents who worked 7 days a week. He said that his parents had taught him that this was the land of opportunity if one worked hard. He added that he intended to teach the same values to his children.

County Commissioner Marilyn Kirkpatrick spoke about the importance of the uprising generation to the country, the state and to the community. Having just paid a visit to the Mesquite STEAM center, she emphasized the importance of placing a high value on education of children.

Finally County Clerk Lyn Goya spoke about important work being done in the Clerk’s office. She said that the wedding industry in Clark County has grown to the point of issuing more than 80,000 marriage licenses per year. This brings tremendous revenues to the county, she said.

Having finished speaking, the elected officials had to make an early departure from the event. Their presence was required at another primary election lead-up event in Las Vegas where President Joe Biden himself was to be in attendance.

“It was a wonderful afternoon,” said M2M vice chairwoman Elaine Hurd. “We were honored to have so many of them take time out of their busy schedules, with all that was going on, and come to be with us in Mesquite.”

“Everything went really well,” said M2M Chairwoman Karen Dutkowski. “It was a fun experience and it got everyone excited for the Primary election vote on Tuesday.”

Dutkowksi expressed appreciation for the Eureka Resort and to all the volunteers who helped put on the rally. “It was a lot of work to put together,” she said.

Finally, Dutkowski encouraged people of both political parties to turn out for the vote and be involved.

The M2M club was established in 2009. It is chartered by the Clark County Democratic Party as the club serving the Democrats of the Virgin Valley and Moapa Valley communities. For more information about the club visit mesquite2moapadems.com.