(Chuck Muth) – District Court Judge Tina Talem, Department 14, is a woman. And yes, unlike some Democrats, we know what a woman is. She’s also Indian-American – same as Kamala Harris and Nikki Haley.
What she is NOT is a DEI hire.
Talim was appointed back in June by Nevada Gov. Joe Lombardo, who noted that Talim “has nearly two decades of experience working in the Clark County District Attorney’s Office and her expertise will be a valuable asset to the Eighth Judicial District Court.”
And as reported by the Las Vegas Review-Journal a few days ago…
“Talim graduated from Pepperdine University’s law school in 2004 and moved to Las Vegas afterward. She worked in civil law for a year before she was hired at the Clark County district attorney’s office, where she spent about 19 years as a prosecutor. Toward the end of her time as a prosecutor, she oversaw drug-trafficking cases and was in charge of the team that began charging people with murder in connection with fentanyl overdoses.”
So, yes, she EARNED the appointment and deserves to be elected to a full term on the bench on November 5th.
But that’s not how her opponent sees it.
Alan Lefebvre – who’s been accused of homophobia and bigotry for columns he’s written in the past – is accusing Judge Talim of being a “DEI” candidate, referring to the practice of hiring, elevating, or appointing a person based on the “identity politics” of Diversity, Equity & Inclusion.
“I don’t have those DEI credentials,” Lefebvre told the RJ. “I’m a person who seeks judgeship on the basis of merit.”
Sorry, Charlie, that’s sheep-dip.
It’s wrong to give someone preference based on race, gender, sexual orientation, national heritage, etc. But it’s equally wrong to falsely besmirch someone who HAS earned their position regardless of race, gender, sexual orientation, national heritage, etc.
I’d already endorsed Judge Talim for the November 5th election before reading about Mr. Lefebvre’s sliming of her. Now I’m doubling down. Vote Judge Tina Talim for District Court Department 14.
Meanwhile, back at the ranch…
The Las Vegas Review-Journal announced several endorsements of State Assembly candidates this morning. They include…
Lisa Cole for AD4, April Arndt for AD21, Annette Dawson Owens for AD29, Rebecca Edgeworth for AD35, David Brog for AD37, and Rafael Arroyo for AD 41…all of whom have also been endorsed by Gov. Joe Lombardo.
And speaking of endorsements…
The Latin Chamber of Commerce – the most pro-small business Chamber in the state – released its endorsements a couple days ago. And it endorsed all but one of Gov. Lombardo’s endorsed GOP legislative candidates.
The exception was Erica Neely in Assembly District 9, who’s running against Democrat Assembly Speaker Steve Yeager. But get this…
It also didn’t endorse Yeager!
And I understand he’s furious about it.
The Latin Chamber handled this one exactly right, even at the risk of p*ssing off a powerful and vengeful Democrat leader.
Yeager is clearly not a champion of small business but does wield considerable clout in the Legislature. So staying neutral and letting the chips fall where they may was the wise and prudent course.
But make no mistake: The Latin Chamber’s decision NOT to endorse Yeager – especially since politically it would have been the easy way out – speaks volumes. Without a doubt, it was a vote of “no confidence.”
Voters in AD9 should take note and vote for Erica Neely.
UPDATED CANDIDATE RECOMMENDATIONS
I’ve added two new recommendations to my personal list: Michele Rizza for Assembly District 3 in Clark County and Dan Shaw for Henderson City Council.
For the most up-to-date list of recommendations, click here.
NOTE: These recommendations are subject to change right up through Election Day.
NEVADA NEWS & VIEWS
Lombardo Joins Call for Answers on Illegal Alien Flights
Twenty-five Republican governors want to know how many illegal foreign nationals have been flown into their states by a Biden-Harris administration plan they argue is burdening their residents and creating an unsafe environment. (Center Square)
Culinary Union Warns Nevada Could Go Red
Culinary official tells POLITICO: ‘We think if the election was today we would lose Nevada.’ (Nevada Globe)
With less than four weeks to go, will Kamala Harris make a stop in Northern Nevada?
If she doesn’t make it to the Reno-Tahoe area, she’d be the first major-party presidential nominee not to visit the region since Al Gore during the 2000 election. (RGJ)
A look at the Nevada race that could shake up the Senate
Democratic Sen. Jacky Rosen and Republican Sam Brown are vying for the contentious Senate seat that could determine the balance of power in Congress. (LVRJ)
Clark County Commissioner Marilyn Kirkpatrick running for last term
The Democratic incumbent is facing off against Libertarian Party candidate Jesse Welsh in November, when up to four of the seven commission positions could switch hands. (LVRJ)
The Perils of Ranked Choice Voting and Open Primaries
In an interview with the Director of the Center for Election Integrity, Mike Vallante lays out the perils of ranked-choice voting and open primaries. (Nevada Globe)
Join the Goodmans for ‘The Sitdown’ Vintage Vegas Luncheon
The Latin Chamber of Commerce will be hosting a special luncheon featuring former Las Vegas Mayor Oscar Goodman and current Las Vegas Mayor Carolyn Goodman at the Golden Nugget on Friday, October 18. Click here for details and to RSVP.
X MARKS THE SPOT
- 33 yrs ago today, Justice Clarence Thomas called out Democrats for running a “high tech lynching.” X
- This was the softest of all softball questions, lobbed underhand by an openly supportive interviewer…and she STILL whiffed it! X
- Threatening democracy: Biden says Americans will “pay a price” for criticizing his hurricane response. X
- A pink-haired DEI trainer filed a complaint against a forestry department deputy for hiring ‘candidates most qualified for the job’ rather than because of identity. X
- Elon’s robot army is HERE! X
- Dunes in 1993 to the Riviera in 2016. X
- A soccer team has gone 9 games without scoring a single goal, so its fans decided to do something. X
- A Day Without Steve Inman is a Day Without Sunshine. X
FAMOUS LAST WORDS
“Our biggest threat to democracy is stupid people.” – Donald Trump
“Word from inside the Kamala camp: ‘The pressure of this campaign is too much for her to handle, she is cracking.’” – Gunther Eagleman
“ I’m 22 years old. And in 25 days, I’ll be joining millions of other young black men and voting for Donald J. Trump! And we don’t give a damn about what Barack Obama has to say about it.” – C.J. Pearson
Mr. Muth is president of Citizen Outreach, publisher of Nevada News & Views, and founder of CampaignDoctor.com. You can sign up for his conservative, Nevada-focused e-newsletter at MuthsTruths.com. His views are his own.