North Las Vegas mayor race features city councilman and state legislator – Image for illustrative purposes only (Image credits: Unsplash)
North Las Vegas stands at a political crossroads as voters prepare to choose a successor to Mayor Pamela Goynes-Brown. The city’s first Black mayor, elected in 2022, cannot run again under Nevada’s 12-year term limit. Five candidates have entered the contest, but two stand out as the clearest frontrunners: City Councilman Scott Black and state Assemblymember Daniele Monroe-Moreno, who also chairs the Nevada Democratic Party.
Leading Contenders and Their Backgrounds
Black has served on the North Las Vegas City Council since 2017 and currently acts as mayor pro tem. He has positioned himself as someone already deeply involved in the city’s daily operations. Monroe-Moreno, who has represented Assembly District 1 since 2016, brings experience from the state legislature, including roles as speaker pro tem and chair of the Assembly Ways and Means Committee.
The remaining candidates are Gary Bouchard, Zaire Langdon, and Henry Thorns. If no one secures more than 51 percent of the vote in the primary, the top two finishers will advance to the general election. Black and Monroe-Moreno have raised the most money so far, giving them a significant edge in visibility and resources.
Eligibility Dispute and Campaign Resources
A resident filed a lawsuit challenging Black’s eligibility under the same term-limit rule that bars Goynes-Brown from seeking another term. The case was dismissed earlier this month, clearing the way for Black to remain on the ballot. Black described the challenge as politically motivated and said the state constitution clearly supports his candidacy.
Recent campaign finance reports show Black raised $300,000 in the first quarter with $800,000 cash on hand. Monroe-Moreno raised $202,000 during the same period and holds nearly $290,000 in reserves. Both candidates have emphasized their readiness to lead the city through its next chapter.
Economic Recovery and Job Growth Priorities
North Las Vegas has moved far from the near-bankruptcy conditions it faced in 2013. Black highlighted new warehouses, distribution centers, data centers, and light manufacturing projects that are creating long-term employment. He noted that the city’s unemployment rate sits at 5.8 percent, slightly above the statewide figure of 5.3 percent, yet he sees steady progress in infrastructure and business investment.
Monroe-Moreno views the same unemployment numbers as a signal that the city is moving in the wrong direction. She has pledged to push new employers to hire local residents first and to expand apprenticeship programs through partnerships with colleges and labor unions. Her legislative experience shepherding state budgets through both deficits and surpluses, she argues, gives her stronger leverage when working with Carson City on city priorities.
Housing Shortage and Rent Concerns
Both leading candidates have worked on Nevada’s housing challenges from different levels of government. Black points to more than 1,400 affordable housing units added in North Las Vegas since 2017, with another 500 in planning stages. He described these steps as meaningful progress toward sustainability even if they represent only a fraction of the overall need.
Monroe-Moreno sponsored legislation that directed $30 million to permanent supportive housing projects for low-income residents. She also wants the city to explore local measures to curb steep rent increases and protect seniors on fixed incomes. Earlier attempts at rent stabilization, including a Culinary Union-backed initiative in 2022, were blocked by the city council in a 4-1 vote that Black supported. He has said any such policy would work better at the state or regional level rather than through a one-size-fits-all city rule.
Path Forward for Voters
The race highlights a clear choice between a longtime city official focused on day-to-day governance and a state lawmaker who stresses broader legislative connections. Residents will decide in the coming months which approach best serves North Las Vegas as it continues to grow. The outcome will shape local leadership for years to come.
