EDITORIAL: For state Senate

Control of the Legislature’s upper chamber is up for grabs this year. The Review-Journal editorial board offers the following endorsements in this fall’s elections for state Senate.

In District 2, incumbent Democrat Mo Denis is being challenged by Independent American Louis Baker. Sen. Denis was ineffective during the 2013 Legislature, his first as majority leader. He had many opportunities to strike compromises with the Republican minority and achieve some of his policy goals, especially related to taxation and education funding, but he dropped the ball. The Review-Journal offers no endorsement in District 2.

In District 8, Republican Patricia Farley, Independent American Jon Kamerath and Democratic Assemblywoman Marilyn Dondero Loop are vying to replace GOP Sen. Barbara Cegavske, who cannot seek re-election because of term limits and is running for secretary of state. Ms. Farley is a small business owner and nonprofit leader who champions school choice and opposes Question 3, the job-killing margins tax. Ms. Dondero Loop, a retired schoolteacher, won’t take a position on Question 3, and she had a hard time saying whether lawmakers could enact policies that might save taxpayer dollars. The Legislature needs more collaborators who have experience making payroll and understand how hard it is to start and grow a company. The Review-Journal endorses Patricia Farley in Senate District 8.

In District 9, incumbent Democrat Justin Jones is being challenged by Republican Becky Harris. Sen. Jones wasn’t afraid to defend his convictions during the 2013 session, even if it cost him passage of a bill. That’s what happened when he rejected amendments to gun background check legislation that lacked the support of Republicans and the governor. Like many of his Democratic colleagues, Sen. Jones won’t take a firm position on Question 3. And when asked whether it’s possible to save taxpayers money through new policy, he said yes — through additional “investments.” Ms. Harris, who like Sen. Jones is an attorney, is “absolutely, adamantly opposed to Question 3” because it would cost jobs and hurt economic development. She opposes any effort to raise or erase the property tax caps passed in 2005 because she regularly meets voters “who struggle to pay their bills and are afraid of losing their home.” Ms. Harris favors a bipartisan solution to bolster education funding while improving accountability. The Review-Journal endorses Becky Harris in Senate District 9.

In District 10, incumbent Democrat Ruben Kihuen is being challenged by Libertarian Ed Uehling. Sen. Kihuen is an unremarkable lawmaker who strongly supports Question 3, which would put many of his constituents out of work if voters approve it. He also supported the city of Las Vegas plan to use public money to finance a downtown soccer stadium. Few elected officials are as hostile to businesses and taxpayers as Sen. Kihuen. Mr. Uehling, meanwhile, has an outside-the-box solution to public school crowding in Southern Nevada: Encourage valley families to move to China. Seriously. The Review-Journal offers no endorsement in Senate District 10.

In District 20, incumbent Republican Michael Roberson is being challenged by Democrat Teresa Lowry. In helming the Senate’s GOP minority, Sen. Roberson has provided more leadership than Sen. Denis. Unlike the majority Democrats, Sen. Roberson had a plan to improve education funding, especially for struggling schools with high minority enrollment. But Democrats refused to advance it for partisan reasons. Sen. Roberson, an attorney, is opposed to Question 3, and he has supported policies that would save taxpayers money, from reduced vehicle registration taxes to construction defect litigation reform. He wants to do more to support school choice, such as a parent trigger law, and he supports ending social promotion in schools. Ms. Lowry has built an impressive resume at the Clark County district attorney’s office, and she also opposes Question 3. But voters have no reason to replace Sen. Roberson, who has demonstrated a willingness to work across party lines to solve the state’s biggest problems. The Review-Journal endorses Michael Roberson in Senate District 20.

In District 21, incumbent Democrat Mark Manendo faces a challenge from Republican Ron McGinnis. Sen. Manendo is one of only a few Democratic lawmakers who has taken a position on Question 3, let alone the correct position: He’s against it. He’s also committed to correcting longstanding funding inequities between Northern and Southern Nevada in education, higher education and transportation. Mr. McGinnis, a Marine veteran and cabdriver, supports protectionist legislation to keep app-based ridesharing companies such as Uber and Lyft out of Nevada. The Review-Journal endorses Mark Manendo in Senate District 21.