Progressive Nevada lawmaker draws challenger, as unions accuse him of siding with 'Big Tech' – Image for illustrative purposes only (Image credits: Unsplash)
Las Vegas – Assemblyman Howard Watts, a fixture in Nevada politics after four uncontested reelections, now faces his toughest test yet. A coalition of labor unions has thrown its weight behind challenger Miguel Dávila in the Democratic primary for Assembly District 15, accusing Watts of prioritizing Big Tech interests over worker protections. The contest, set for June in a hospitality-dominated stretch of the city including the Arts District, Chinatown and the Strip, highlights tensions within the local Democratic base amid economic anxieties and automation threats.
Unions Break Ranks with Incumbent
Labor groups that once supported Watts have shifted allegiance this cycle, citing his handling of key 2025 legislative votes. Organizations such as Laborers Local 872, the Southern Nevada Building Trades Association and Teamsters affiliates now endorse Dávila, a 34-year-old urban planner and union member who emigrated from Venezuela as a teenager. These unions argue Watts failed to champion measures safeguarding jobs from technological disruption.
Vince Saavedra, executive director of the Southern Nevada Building Trades Association, framed the move as a display of unity. “We’re just trying to show solidarity with the other non-building trades unions,” he said. “It’s been a while since organized labor has been this organized when it comes to politics.” The district’s low median household income of $40,000 amplifies concerns about job security in an area reliant on tourism and service work.
Key Votes Ignite the Feud
Discontent crystallized around three bills from the previous session. First, SB395 sought to require human drivers for autonomous trucks and buses until 2035, a priority for Teamsters and the AFL-CIO fearing job losses and safety risks. The measure cleared the Senate but stalled in the Assembly committee chaired by Watts, which advanced it without a floor vote recommendation.
Watts maintained the bill lacked sufficient backing to pass and anticipated revisiting it in the next session. Unions viewed the decision as a concession to industry advocates who warned of economic harm from blocking self-driving vehicles. Similar friction arose over AB404, which Watts sponsored to allow craft breweries direct sales; Teamsters criticized its initial version for bypassing unionized distributors, though a revised form became law.
Finally, Watts opposed AB5, a special-session expansion of film tax credits pushed by labor to boost local production jobs. The bill passed the Assembly but fell short in the Senate. Watts questioned its cost amid competing budget demands, while Dávila indicated he would have weighed constituent input – many in the entertainment-heavy district favored it.
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| Disputed Bill | Issue | Watts’ Position | Dávila’s Stance |
|---|---|---|---|
| SB395 (Autonomous Vehicles) | Human drivers mandate | Advanced without floor vote; doubted passage | Would push for advancement |
| AB404 (Brewery Sales) | Direct sales for breweries | Sponsored, revised after criticism | Not specified |
| AB5 (Film Tax Credits) | Expanded incentives | Voted against due to cost | Leaning supportive based on feedback |
Shared Ground and Personal Pitches
Despite the labor rift, Watts and Dávila align on much of the progressive agenda. Both emphasize infill housing on vacant lots over peripheral federal land sales, tenant protections and curbing data centers’ strain on utilities. Watts touts his record as one of Nevada’s most effective Democratic assemblymembers, with successes in solar incentives, water conservation and wildlife safeguards.
Dávila leverages his background at the Regional Transportation Commission and degrees from UNLV and MIT to stress practical planning. He critiques some Watts policies, like turf irrigation bans, as overly harsh on families. Laura Martin of the Progressive Leadership Alliance of Nevada, which endorsed Dávila despite Watts’ past ties there, stressed visibility. “People don’t have time to watch hearings… but they are going to public meetings,” she noted.
Watts counters perceptions of disengagement, insisting on constant voter contact beyond social media. Dávila, meanwhile, frames his bid as a response to widespread disillusionment following the 2024 presidential outcome.
Fundraising Edge and Voter Dynamics
Watts holds a clear financial advantage, raising four times more than Dávila in early 2026. He retains endorsements from the Clark County Education Association, AFSCME and firefighters. Still, primaries can upend expectations, especially in low-turnout districts lacking robust outreach to infrequent voters.
Dávila positions himself as the engagement-focused alternative. “There’s no outreach or engagement strategy to engage low-propensity, low-income voters in a district like this,” he observed. With no Republican opponent, the primary victor claims the seat outright.
This intraparty clash underscores labor’s push to reshape Nevada’s legislature amid automation fears and economic pressures. Watts vows to mend union ties through candor, while Dávila bets on fresh energy to reconnect with a restless base. As the June primary nears, District 15 voters will decide whether incumbency or insurgency prevails in balancing progressivism with job protections.
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