— by Senator Kelvin Atkinson
There was never any question that Nevada’s Senate race was going to be one of the most hotly contested races of the 2016 cycle. And if there is any Nevadan who is ready and prepared to take on the fight, it is Catherine Cortez Masto. What I am surprised by is the blatantly false attacks against her. Congressman Joe Heck’s campaign and his backers are spreading lies about her record.
One of the attacks funded by Congressman Heck’s biggest supporters, the Koch brothers, attempts to mislead Nevadans into thinking that Catherine was somehow wrong for doing her job as Nevada’s top law enforcement official by ensuring that Uber was operating in accordance with Nevada law.
The laws in Nevada are clear: if ride-sharing companies wished to operate in Nevada, they had to go get the proper licensing. This ensures these businesses are operating legally and do not threaten the safety or health of Nevadans.
When Uber first came to Nevada in 2014, they were operating without a license. This was illegal, and it threatened passenger safety. As Attorney General, Catherine enforced the law and called on Uber to cease operating until they obtained the necessary license.
We in the Nevada legislature recognized the commonsense, lawful action taken by Catherine’s office. I led the efforts to work with Uber to write and pass legislation that allowed Uber to get back up and running, legally, as it is today.
As elected officials, our first and foremost priority is the safety and security of Nevadans. That is why Catherine forced Uber to get licensed, and that is why we crafted legislation that ensured Uber drivers and passengers in Nevada were protected by the law.
Despite what the Koch Brothers may have you think, Catherine did not “drive Uber out of town.” Catherine was putting the safety and security of Nevadans first, as she was elected to do, and as she did during her eight years in office.
It’s shameful that Congressman Heck has allowed these blatant lies against Catherine to continue. His failure to stand up to the Koch brothers — and his Party’s Presidential nominee, Donald Trump, whom he supports — speaks volumes about Heck’s character and the type of blind Party loyalty that he would have in the U.S. Senate.
Nevadans need a leader in the United States Senate who will take on the tough fights and work with Republicans and Democrats to solve problems.
That is not Congressman Heck.
That is why I’m voting for Catherine Cortez Masto in November.
Kelvin Atkinson is a Nevada State Senator, where he serves as Assistant Democratic Leader and represents District 4. He previously served in the Nevada Assembly for Clark County District 17 from 2002–2012.