Tony T. Smith is Proud of His Record Defending LGBTQ Rights

Tony T. Smith is proud of his record defending LGBTQ rights and plans to continue the fight for equality in the legislature on behalf of the people of Assembly District 4.  Tony's uncle Peter passed away from AIDS in 1985, and while that event scarred Tony's family it also spurred them to activism.  Tony's great-grandmother Frannie Peabody, an inspiration for his own activism, founded the largest HIV/AIDS activist organization in Maine. Tony's grandmother Barbara Peabody, another key source of motivation for his activism, wrote a definitive book regarding the experience of losing a son to HIV/AIDS and founded art therapy support groups to help those coping with the disease.  Tony continued his family's tradition of activism by fighting as an attorney to help same-sex couples adopt at a time when Nevada's cruel ban on marriage equality had not yet been overturned.  

Make your voice heard in the Democratic Party primary election!  Early voting runs from 5/26/18 - 6/08/18, and election day is on 6/12/18. 

Tony T. Smith is Committed to Ending Special Interest Tax Breaks for Mining Companies

A few decades back, mining companies in Nevada purchased themselves a special interest tax break in the State Constitution capping the mining tax at 5% of net proceeds.  In recent years this has resulted in Nevada mining companies reaping in $1.8 billion in profits while only paying $100 million in taxes.  Native Nevadan Tony T. Smith will fight to eliminate these special interest tax breaks on Day 1 of the legislative session when elected to the Assembly so the people of Nevada have adequate funding for education and to prepare for increasing automation (2/3 of current jobs in Vegas are expected to be lost due to automation by 2035).

Be sure to vote in the Democratic Party primary for the only candidate supporting eliminating special interest tax breaks for mining.  Early voting runs from May 26, 2018 - June 8, 2018, and election day is June 12, 2018. 

Nevada Assembly District 4 Deserves a Representative Willing to Exercise Independent Judgment

The people of Assembly District 4 deserve a representative able to exercise independent judgment on their behalf in the legislature, not somebody that will be a rubber stamp.  Tony T. Smith has been clear on the policies he will pursue when elected to the Assembly.  However, in the same LVRJ candidate questionnaire where his opponent in the Democratic primary was caught fudging the numbers about her Nevada residency, she also indicated that she plans to defer to other legislators on the important issues facing our community.  Conversely, Tony outlined clear policy initiatives he will pursue once elected to the Assembly. 

Tony's opponent in the Democratic primary alarmingly plans to defer to other legislators rather than being an independent voice on behalf of the people. 

Tony T. Smith was born and raised in Las Vegas and has been an active member of the community.  As a former retail employee living paycheck-to-paycheck, Tony understands the frustration of working hard but not getting ahead.  That is why he is the only candidate in the race for Nevada Assembly District 4 advocating for policies that will help working and middle class Nevadans, such as a living wage for every Nevadan working full-time, debt-free higher education (bachelors, associates, technical degree, or certification), and preparing for the changes to our economy caused by increasing automation and expanding use of AI (2/3 of current jobs in Vegas are expected to be lost due to automation by 2035). 

Tony has been the only candidate in the race for Nevada Assembly District 4 to stand up to powerful interests and call for policies that will help working and middle class Nevadans. 

Make sure Nevada Assembly District 4 has an independent voice for change in the legislature by voting in the Democratic Party primary, with early voting running from May 26, 2018 - June 8, 2018 and the election on June 12, 2018!   

Tony T. Smith's Primary Opponent Caught Fudging Numbers Over Her Nevada Residency

Tony T. Smith's opponent in the Democratic primary race for Assembly District 4 was caught fudging the numbers about the length of her residency in Nevada.  Tony's opponent listed the length of her Nevada residency as 3 years on her official disclosure form filed with the Nevada Secretary of State and signed under oath.  But in her profile for the widely circulated Las Vegas Review Journal's candidate guide she listed the length of her Nevada residency as 5 years.  

Compare Tony's opponent's Secretary of State filing to her answers to the candidate questionnaire for the LVRJ. 

Tony had no problem indicating the same length of Nevada residency in both his official Secretary of State form, as well as in his responses to the LVRJ questionnaire. 

The length of Tony's opponent's ties to Nevada have been an issue throughout the race, and it appears his opponent has decided to misrepresent the length of her Nevada residency rather than addressing how the issue will impact her potential viability in the general election against the most extreme Republican member of the Nevada Assembly.  

This timelapse begins the year Tony was born in Las Vegas.  He has experienced firsthand our city's growth and change. 

Meanwhile, Tony T. Smith was born and raised in Las Vegas.  He attended schools in our community, worked retail and as a DMV technician, volunteered with local nonprofits, and has provided pro bono legal services to help abused children and survivors of domestic violence since being admitted to the State Bar of Nevada in 2010. 

Tony volunteering to plant a community garden in downtown Las Vegas. 

"The reason I got into the race for Assembly District 4 is because the current out-of-touch Republican Assemblyman wasn't representing the people of the district," said Tony T. Smith.   "Democrats need a candidate well-positioned to unseat the current Assemblyman, which is why I have questioned how my opponent's short ties to Las Vegas will impact her viability in the general election.  If my opponent can't address this issue in the primary, it's unlikely she will be able to do so in November."

The Democratic voters of Assembly District 4 will determine the impact of this issue at the polls, with early voting running from May 26, 2018 - June 8, 2018 and election day on June 12, 2018. 

The People of Nevada Assembly District 4 Deserve a Representative Willing to Think Big

Take one look at the Strip and you can tell Las Vegas is a town defined by folks willing to think big.  Being the only candidate for Nevada Assembly District 4 born and raised in Las Vegas, Tony T. Smith understands this better than most.  However, his opponent in the Democratic primary has shown an unwillingness to follow the Vegas tradition of boldly meeting challenges, which became additionally concerning after his opponent was caught fudging the numbers about the length of her Nevada residency.   

A few months ago Tony's campaign posted about the need to explore the role a Universal Basic Income will play in the face of increasing automation, just as other States have done (2/3 of current jobs in Vegas are expected to be lost due to automation by 2035).  Tony's Democratic primary opponent's response to that post below is troubling.  Tony's opponent only recently moved to Las Vegas and may be unfamiliar with our city's tradition of thinking big.  Regardless, the people of Nevada Assembly District 4 deserve a representative willing to continue the proud Las Vegas tradition of being bold in the face of challenges.  

In another even more concerning example of Tony's opponent displaying a lack of desire to propose bold progressive ideas to meet the challenges of this century, she told the LVRJ that she would simply defer to other legislators on the important issues facing our community rather than exercising independent judgment on behalf of the people of Nevada Assembly District 4. 

This is not the answer one would expect from a representative working on behalf of their constituents.  Tony T. Smith was born and raised in Las Vegas and as a result has a clear vision on how best to help working and middle class Nevadans. 

Remember to vote in the Democratic Party primary to support a real voice for change on 6/12/18 (early voting runs from 5/26/18 - 6/08/18).

Tony T. Smith Will Fight to Prevent Sexual Violence in Our Community

Candidate for Nevada Assembly District 4 Tony T. Smith is appalled there is no legislation in Nevada making it illegal for law enforcement officers to have sexual relations with persons in their custody.  The imbalance of power and the impossibility of meaningful consent in that situation is clear, and Tony will take immediate steps when elected to the Nevada Assembly to correct this injustice.  Further, as an attorney in our community, Tony has advocated for survivors of sexual assault and has assisted survivors in seeking civil remedies.  

Read more about this issue here: https://www.buzzfeed.com/albertsamaha/this-teenager-accused-two-on-duty-cops-of-rape-she-had-no?utm_term=.hyE9lAzJA#.km675ZlJZ

Remember to make your voice heard in the Democratic Party primary election. Early voting runs from 5/26/18 - 6/08/18, and election day is 6/12/18.

Tony will take immediate steps to correct this injustice when elected to the Nevada Assembly. 

We Need the Best Candidate to Unseat the Most Extreme GOP Member of the Nevada Assembly

Richard McArthur is the most extreme and out-of-touch Republican member of the Nevada Assembly, serving three terms yet accomplishing nothing for the people of Assembly District 4. It is clear he has to go. But some in the leadership of the Nevada Democratic Party are pushing a candidate that has barely lived in Nevada and that refuses to either take public stands on the issues or to oppose McArthur, jeopardizing a chance to pick up a seat in the Assembly.  To make matters worse, Tony T. Smith's opponent was recently caught fudging the numbers about the length of her Nevada residency. 

Tony addressing local activists during the campaign for Assembly District 4. 

Candidate Tony T. Smith was born and raised in Las Vegas. He attended our public schools, colleges, and universities. He has worked retail on Fremont Street, living paycheck-to-paycheck, as well as for the Nevada DMV as a technician. He has been involved in progressive politics in Nevada since his college years when he helped register voters with the Progressive Leadership Alliance of Nevada leading up to the 2006 election. He has also volunteered with local nonprofits to help plant community gardens and, he has provided pro bono legal services to help abused children and survivors of domestic violence as an attorney.

Tony volunteering to plant a community garden in downtown Vegas. 

However, some in the leadership of the Nevada Democratic Party have placed their support behind Tony's opponent in the Democratic primary. Tony's opponent has only resided in Las Vegas for 3 years, moving here for her retirement. While Tony has taken firm public stands on the issues, including calling for a living wage and debt-free higher education, his opponent has refused to say where she stands and speaks only in broad generalities. Further, Tony's campaign is voluntarily capping contributions to remain independent of wealthy donors while his opponent has no such qualms about sacrificing her independent judgment by taking large donations, even from corporate backers.

It is crucial to remember that Nevada’s Assembly District 4 is nearly evenly split between registered Democrats and registered Republicans, with 20% registered nonpartisans. The key to unseating McArthur is to increase enthusiasm and turnout among registered nonpartisans. Nonpartisans have been responding very positively to Tony's bold stand on the issues and clear steps to remain independent of wealthy donors. Further, as there is no place on earth like Las Vegas, his deep ties to our one-of-a-kind community have allowed Tony to connect with voters.

The Democratic Party is jeopardizing the ability to win this seat and ensure the people of Assembly District 4 once again have a voice in Carson City if they continue to back a recent resident of Las Vegas that refuses to take firm stands on the issues.  Further, the inability of Tony's opponent to explain why she fudged the numbers about the length of her Nevada residency demonstrates the sort of unnecessary distractions she will cause that will make her more vulnerable in the general election.  If Tony's opponent cannot take clear public stands on the issues or explain her inconsistent statements regarding the length of her Nevada residency during the primary election campaign, it is difficult to imagine how the situation will improve during the general election campaign. 

Compare Tony's opponent's Secretary of State filing to her answers to the candidate questionnaire for the RJ. 

Tony had no problem indicating the same length of Nevada residency in both his official Secretary of State form, as well as in his responses to the LVRJ questionnaire. 

Tony's opponent in the Democratic Primary claims to be a “New Voice for Change.” Check out our video and you decide who the real voice for change is in the race for Nevada’s Assembly District 4.  Then make your voice heard in the Democratic Party primary election on 6/12/18! (Early voting runs from 5/26/18 - 6/08/18)

Home Means Nevada for Tony T. Smith

Candidate for Nevada Assembly District 4 Tony T. Smith was born and raised in Las Vegas.  He saw a lot of change to our community since he was born here in 1984, whereas his opponent in the Democratic Party primary has only resided here for 3 years, missing some of the biggest changes to our community.  More concerning, Tony's primary opponent recently decided to fudge the numbers when it came to explaining the length of her Nevada residency rather than addressing the issue directly.  

The people of Nevada's Assembly District 4 deserve a representative that experienced our city's past and understands our community's future potential.  More importantly, the people deserve a representative that is forthright.  Read below to learn more. 

Vegas is a unique place and Tony experienced the ways our community grew and changed. 

Tony T. Smith's opponent in the Democratic primary race for Assembly District 4 was caught fudging the numbers about the length of her residency in Nevada.  Tony's opponent listed the length of her Nevada residency as 3 years on her official disclosure form filed with the Nevada Secretary of State and signed under oath.  But in her profile for the widely circulated Las Vegas Review Journal's candidate guide she listed the length of her Nevada residency as 5 years.  

Compare the length of residency Tony's opponent put on her form filed with the NV Secretary of State with what she put on her questionnaire with the LVRJ. 

Meanwhile Tony had no problem indicating the same length of residency on his official NV Secretary of State form and his response to the LVRJ questionnaire. 

The length of Tony's opponent's ties to Nevada have been an issue throughout the race, and it appears his opponent has decided to misrepresent the length of her Nevada residency rather than addressing how the issue will impact her potential viability in the general election against the most extreme Republican member of the Nevada Assembly.  

Make your voice heard in the Democratic Party primary election!  Early voting runs from 5/26/18 - 6/08/18, and election day is 6/12/18.

Electability is Important in the Race for Nevada Assembly District 4

Tony T. Smith, candidate for Nevada's Assembly District 4, is putting forward his case for why he has the best chance to unseat the current Assemblyman, who has been in the legislature for 3 terms without accomplishing a single thing for the people. Tony is a native of Las Vegas, attending our schools and working in our community.  Tony has also been unafraid to take tough stands on the issues.  Finally, Tony is taking concrete steps to remain independent of Big Money donors so he can work for the people.

In contrast, Tony's opponent in the Democratic Party primary only moved to Las Vegas in the last 3 years.  Further, she has only spoken in generalities rather than specifically addressing the issues facing our community and has taken no steps to remain free from the influence of wealthy donors.  However, some of the most serious concerns about his opponent's viability in the general election stem from her own decision to fudge the numbers regarding the length of her Nevada residency.  Scroll down to learn more.

Compare Tony's opponent's Secretary of State filing to her answers to the candidate questionnaire for the RJ. 

Tony had no problem indicating the same length of Nevada residency in both his official Secretary of State form, as well as in his responses to the LVRJ questionnaire. 

Tony T. Smith's opponent in the Democratic primary race for Assembly District 4 was caught fudging the numbers about the length of her residency in Nevada.  Tony's opponent listed the length of her Nevada residency as 3 years on her official disclosure form filed with the Nevada Secretary of State and signed under oath.  But in her profile for the widely circulated Las Vegas Review Journal's candidate guide she listed the length of her Nevada residency as 5 years.  

The length of Tony's opponent's ties to Nevada have been an issue throughout the race, and it appears his opponent has decided to misrepresent the length of her Nevada residency rather than addressing how the issue will impact her potential viability in the general election against the most extreme Republican member of the Nevada Assembly. 

More concerning, Tony's opponent refuses to take any clear public stands on the issues whereas Tony has been clear on what he will do if elected throughout the campaign.  

The Democratic voters of Assembly District 4 will determine the impact of these issues at the polls, with early voting running from May 26, 2018 - June 8, 2018 and election day on June 12, 2018.  Meanwhile, check out the video below and determine which candidate has the best chance of unseating the current extreme Republican Assemblyman in District 4. 

Tony T. Smith Calls for State-level Net Neutrality Protections in Nevada

Candidate for Nevada Assembly District 4 Tony T. Smith is calling for State-level measures to protect our right to an open Internet.  An open Internet is essential to our economy by giving small start-ups a chance to compete against larger competitors; an open Internet is also essential to the health of our democratic republic by allowing the people to easily organize and make their voices heard.  Tony is also committed to passing legislation in the Assembly that will give people more control over their privacy and how their personal data is used.  

Watch the video to learn more, and be sure to make your voice heard in the Democratic Party primary election.  Early voting runs from 5/26/18 - 6/08/18, and election day is 6/12/18.