Q: On your flights between Nevada and Washington, D.C., what do you do to occupy your time in the air?
A: I like reading while flying! Usually, I’m reading briefing materials or enjoying a good book for fun.
Q: You grew up in Las Vegas and graduated from UNR. Away at college, what were your first impressions of going to school in Reno?
A: It was so much colder than Las Vegas!
Q: Is there a United States Senator (living or deceased) whom you have modeled your public service after?
A: It’s hard to choose. I have deep respect for Senators Harry Reid and Richard Bryan. They always put Nevada first and that is something I admire deeply.
Q: If someone was visiting Nevada for the first time, what is one thing you would tell them they have to do?
A: It’s hard to choose just one thing – the whole state is worth experiencing. If I had to choose, I’d say enjoy some of Nevada’s beautiful public lands. The Strip is amazing, but people forget we have some of the best outdoor spaces in the world!
Q: What is your favorite Nevada tradition?
A: Nevada Day
Q: What is something people might be surprised to learn about you?
A: I play the guitar. My grandfather played and I picked it up from him.
Q: What is your favorite way to spend a (rare) day off?
A: I love to go for hikes in our amazing state and national parks.
Q: Favorite state park?
A: It’s impossible to pick one. But I love Valley of Fire since it is so easy to access from Las Vegas.
Q: What is one word you would use to describe Nevada?
A: Breathtaking
Q: What is your greatest legislative accomplishment?
A: I’m not done yet, but one thing I’m proud of is passing the bipartisan Savanna’s Act and the Not Invisible Act. These laws help law enforcement address the issue of Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women and keep Tribal communities safe. This is an issue that gets far too little attention, and I was proud to help get this done.
Q: Explain the biggest difference between working as the Attorney General of Nevada and as the senior senator from Nevada in Washington, D.C.?
A: In Washington, you need to have patience because it takes a little longer to get things done. Sometimes, it feels like the federal government moves slowly, but that doesn’t mean nothing is happening. In fact, so much bipartisan work goes on behind the scenes that no one knows about. Just look at the huge bipartisan housing bill we were able to pass this year to help lower costs for Nevadans.
Q: When you graduated from college, what did you think you would be doing career-wise?
A: I was a finance major and thought I would work on Wall Street. It was only after law school that I realized I wanted to spend my career in public service.
Q: Favorite dessert?
A: Anything dark chocolate
