CARSON CITY— Today, Nevada drew national and international attention when its Senate and Assembly chambers swore in the country’s first female majority to serve during a legislative session. Women now represent 23 of Nevada’s 42 assembly districts as well as 9 of the 21 seats in the state Senate. In addition to this historic achievement, women will also chair six of the ten Assembly committees—including the powerful Taxation and Ways and Means committees.
This is not the first time the Nevada State Assembly reached an important milestone. In the last legislative session in 2017, Assemblyman Jason Frierson (District 8) was sworn in as Nevada’s first African American Speaker of the Assembly in state history.
“Two years ago, I stood from this vantage point proud to have been selected by this body as the first African American Speaker of the Nevada Assembly,” stated Speaker Jason Frierson during his address this morning signaling the start of the 80th session of the Nevada Legislature. “Today, we are proud to also usher in another milestone that brings representation of everyday Nevadans that much closer to true representative democracy. Yes, we are the first female majority legislature in the country.”
This year’s Assembly Democratic Caucus counts several history-making women among its membership. Assemblymember Maggie Carlton (District 14) is now the state’s longest serving assemblywoman. Assemblywoman Teresa Benitez-Thompson (District 27), who became the first Latina majority leader in 2017, will continue in that leadership role during this session. Returning Assemblywoman Daniele Monroe Moreno (District 1)—the highest ranking African American woman elected official in Nevada—Selena Torres (District 3)—the youngest woman elected to the State Legislature since 1920—and Rochelle Nguyen (District 10)-—the first Asian American Democratic member in the State Legislature—were also among those who took the oath of office today.
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