Nevada: Senate Majority Leader Kelvin Atkinson (D) resigns

[Virginiá]

https://thenevadaindependent.com/article/senate-majority-leader-kelvin-atkinson-to-resign-amid-federal-charges-of-misappropriating-campaign-funds

Democratic Senate Majority Leader Kelvin Atkinson resigned from his legislative seat on Tuesday in a tear-filled speech on the Senate floor, announcing he would be pleading guilty to federal charges of misappropriation of campaign funds for personal use and taking “full responsibility” for his actions.

The sudden, emotional resignation marks a precipitous fall for Atkinson, the state’s third African-American and first openly gay Senate majority leader. A legislative mainstay, the Las Vegas Democrat was first elected to the Assembly in 2002 and joined the Senate after the 2012 election.

Atkinson acknowledged in his speech that he had used campaign funds for his personal use and said that he would be “pleading guilty for those actions when that time comes.” He declined to comment further on the case before and after the floor session, saying the disposition of the case was not final and he would be referring all questions to his attorney, Richard Wright.

Court documents related to the charges had not been posted online as of late Tuesday morning. Wright said in an email that Atkinson will plead guilty to a federal misuse of campaign funds charge in Las Vegas, which is both a state and federal crime and carries a maximum sentence of up to 20 years.

State Sen. Nicole Cannizzaro, who previously served as Atkinson’s deputy, was elected to succeed him as majority leader in a unanimous vote of the Senate Democratic Caucus Tuesday afternoon.

SD-4 is Safe D fwiw

[LoneStarDem]

Not surprised.

[Nutmeg]

Wow, other than Titan Sisolak, women are dominating Nevada politics these days.

[LoneStarDem]

Wow, other than Titan Sisolak, women are dominating Nevada politics these days.

Big question is will NV have a female Governor in the future ? It's not a question of if, but when...

[Nutmeg]

Wow, other than Titan Sisolak, women are dominating Nevada politics these days.

Big question is will NV have a female Governor in the future ? It's not a question of if, but when...

I was a little surprised by the margin with which Sisolak beat Chris G. in the primary, but otherwise most of the candidates-in-waiting are women (from both parties -- the only statewide R remaining in office is a woman too).  I'd say probably in 2026, unless Sisolak doesn't seek reelection for some reason.

[An American Tail: Fubart Goes West]

I guess I’ll have to take him off my list of rising stars. :/

[YE]

Wow, other than Titan Sisolak, women are dominating Nevada politics these days.

Big question is will NV have a female Governor in the future ? It's not a question of if, but when...

I was a little surprised by the margin with which Sisolak beat Chris G. in the primary, but otherwise most of the candidates-in-waiting are women (from both parties -- the only statewide R remaining in office is a woman too).  I'd say probably in 2026, unless Sisolak doesn't seek reelection for some reason.

That race would be Aaron Ford's to lose unless Rosen calls it quits in 2024 (which I could see happening to be fair).

[YE]

Wow, other than Titan Sisolak, women are dominating Nevada politics these days.

Big question is will NV have a female Governor in the future ? It's not a question of if, but when...

I was a little surprised by the margin with which Sisolak beat Chris G. in the primary, but otherwise most of the candidates-in-waiting are women (from both parties -- the only statewide R remaining in office is a woman too).  I'd say probably in 2026, unless Sisolak doesn't seek reelection for some reason.

That race would be Aaron Ford's to lose unless Rosen calls it quits in 2024 (which I could see happening to be fair).

Do tell?

Rosen just doesn't strike me as a lifer. She entered electoral politics fairly late at night following a very diverse background prior to seeking for office, so I could see her wanting to pursue other activities.