(Aug. 26) -- Voters in the northwest part of the valley have a quite choice to make in 12 days. The Republican primary for State Senate District 6 features two candidates of the same party who have very different ideas about a lot of issues.
In most political races, candidates share some common ground. In this race it's hard to find.
Ray Rawson, (R) Las Vegas State Senator, says, "You have to plan ahead. You can't just take care of the kids that moved in last year, you have to plan ahead for the kids that are coming next year."
District 6 State Senator Rawson supported last year's $836 million state tax increase, saying it was needed to end partisan fighting in Carson City.
Bob Beers, (R) Las Vegas Assemblyman, says, "We ended up with the largest percentage increase in general fund taxing and spending in the history of our state by a pretty long shot."
Rawson's challenger, Assemblyman Bob Beers, says the increase is "tax and spend" and sets a bad precedent for future increases. On most major issues facing southern Nevada, these two wind up on opposite sides, such as state funding of mental health.
"The state simply has a clear cut responsibility there," stated Rawson.
Beers stated, "I'm not sure that the state is the best entity to take the lead on it."
Each has controversial ideas they plan on bringing to the table if voters send them to Carson City. Beers wants to look at dividing the Clark County School District into smaller districts. "Our performance is in the tank. Something has to be done. What we're doing now is not apparently working," Beers said.
Rawson wants to limit property tax increases. In Clark County there is no standard rate, year-to-year some property values increase by 2-percent, others by 55-percent, depending on the property. Rawson wants one rate for everyone -- 6-percent or less.
"Property taxes. The tax that hits people on a fixed income and they really get concerned about can I keep my home," Rawson said.
On Sept. 7, Rawson finds out if he gets to keep his job, or if District 6 voters want Bob Beers to step in.
Both Rawson and Beers are keeping an eye on the valley's growing population. Rawson says it's a necessity in keeping taxes low and the state's economy healthy. Beers believes while growth will continue, it will be Pahrump and Mesquite seeing the big increases in the coming years.
Thousands of people have voted already. As of Thursday, more than 22,000 people have cast early ballots for the 7th Primary election. If this pace continues, some 10 to 12-percent of registered voters will have already voted by Election Day.
If you'd like to vote early, you can do it at the malls, several grocery stores and the Las Vegas Athletic Club on West Sahara.
Find complete early voting information here.
Bob Beers and Ray Rawson on Las Vegas 1
Ray Rawson, (R) Las Vegas State Senator
Bob Beers, (R) Las Vegas Assemblyman
