Boxing has something called the “tale of the tape,” which is a side-by-side comparison of two competitors. So let’s apply that idea to Shelley Berkley and Victoria Seaman, the two candidates vying to be the first Las Vegas mayor not named Goodman in more than 25 years. Consider this your quick and easy guide to the mayor's race.
Political History
Shelley Berkley is a Democrat who served in the Nevada Assembly (1982 - 1984) and the U.S. House of Representatives, representing (1999 - 2013). After losing a U.S. Senate race to Dean Heller in 2012, she took an executive leadership position with Touro University.
Victoria Seaman is a Republican who served in the Nevada Assembly (2014 - 2016), lost a run for Nevada Senate in 2016, and dropped out of a Congressional race early in 2018. She has served on the Las Vegas City Council since 2016.
Las Vegas Mayor is a nonpartisan office. For what it’s worth, Berkley said she was voting for Joe Biden (before he dropped out) and Seaman said she was voting for Donald Trump in the presidential race.
Top Issues
Berkley says navigating the Badlands litigation would be her “number one priority” since the budget depends on it. She also says there is “nothing more important” than our public safety, promising to work closely with Metro Police.
Seaman emphasizes public safety as “priority number one” and wants to see more severe penalties for those convicted of violent crimes. She also cites the need to streamline regulations for small businesses as a priority.
- Both agree homelessness is a top issue as well. Shelley Berkley (episode available Oct. 21) and Victoria Seaman (episode available Oct. 22) spoke to City Cast Las Vegas directly about the causes and solutions. [City Cast Las Vegas 🎧]
Key Differences
Seaman has been a vocal critic of the Animal Foundation and would like to see the organization replaced. Berkley prefers to increase funding to the Animal Foundation to help make up for where the organization falls short. On another note, Berkley is okay with Fremont Street buskers (with regulation). Seaman believes they are intimidating and “mostly bring no added value.”
Common Ground
Both agree that Las Vegas needs a children's hospital, support a bipartisan push to release federal land for housing, and oppose rent controls. They also share a belief that the Vegas Loop is a good thing for the city.
Controversies
Berkley faced an ethics panel while in Congress, which determined she used her position to help her husband’s medical practice.
Seaman sued fellow City Council member Michele Fiore, claiming Fiore physically attacked her.
Key Endorsements
Berkley: National Organization for Women, the Las Vegas Review-Journal, Las Vegas Sun, numerous labor unions, and City Council member Cedric Crear, who placed third in the mayoral primary. (Full list.)
Seaman: More than 20 law enforcement unions and organizations, Las Vegas Firefighters, and Lt. Gov. Stavros Anthony. (Full list.)
