Lucy Flores is the two-term Democratic Assemblywoman from Las Vegas who is fighting for the Lt. Governorship of Nevada this November. Her opponent is a well-heeled Republican who was the chief counsel in Gov. Sandoval's attempt to overturn the Affordable Care Act. During
Monday's debate in Reno, Mark Hutchison said:
"And Obamacare, I just don't think is right for Nevada."
"The fact is we have affordable health care now for so many Nevadans," Flores said. "You cannot get kicked off your insurance. You can insure your children when they are in college.
"Quite frankly, my father was able to get expanded insurance and save hundreds and hundreds of dollars because he had an urgent medical need," said Flores, who like Hutchison is a lawyer. "I am very happy that my opponent failed in his attempt to take those benefits away from the people of Nevada (in the Obamacare lawsuit)."
Lucy Flores is a progressive fighter from the get-go, openly discussing her abortion during last year's committee hearing on Nevada Bill AB230 which sought to "establish a comprehensive, age-appropriate and medically accurate course of instruction in sex education." Her testimony and its cost were featured in this prescient post by Denise Oliver Velez,
"Yes, she should ... run for lieutenant governor of Nevada."
Unafraid of her past, she is proudly running on it.
Why is this race so important?
It is not just that Lucy Flores is a Latina, and we need far more Latinas in public office. It is also not just that Lucy Flores is committed to fighting for marriage equality, health care, education and jobs for the people of Nevada, although those are all desperately needed in Nevada.
But this race is also important to Senator Harry Reid because popular Nevada Governor Brian Sandoval is widely believed to be contemplating a run at Harry's seat in 2016. If Sandoval is faced with a Democrat like Lucy Flores stepping into his office, he may think twice about moving to the Senate.
Can you spare $3 to help her get to that office? Her opponent spent $864,000 in his primary battle. Lucy Flores has spent $9,400 on three television ads as of September 27.