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Brookings Mountain West hosted "The 2016 Election: Why Las Vegas Matters", a panel discussion that included experts in U.S. politics and presidential campaigns designed to highlight the increasing importance of Las Vegas and Southern Nevada in national elections. Panelists discussed a variety of issues important to Las Vegas and the nation, including such topics as: immigration reform, national security, health care, economic opportunity, education, infrastructure, climate change, and others. In addition, participants discussed the importance of changing demographic patterns among our total population and voting population, and how these shifts affect local and national politics.

Panelists offered a brief opening statement on what they consider the most important issues for our region. Moderators engaged with the speakers in an introductory question and answer session and invited the audience to pose questions for the speakers.

There was a reception at 12:30 p.m., and the program began promptly at 1 p.m.

Panelists

David Damore serves as professor of political science at UNLV. Damore’s research interests focus on the study of campaigns and elections and public policy at the state and national levels. He is a frequent contributor to Brookings Mountain West projects. Damore is a Brookings Mountain West fellow, a key vote advisor for Project Vote Smart, and a senior analyst at Latino Decisions. He also regularly comments on Nevada governmental and political issues for local, national, and international media outlets. Damore earned his Ph.D. from the University of California, Davis (2000), an M.A. from the University of Georgia (1995), and a B.A. from the University of California, San Diego (1992) all in political science.

John Hudak is deputy director of the Center for Effective Public Management and a senior fellow in the Brookings Institution’s Governance Studies Program. His research examines questions of presidential power in the contexts of administration, personnel, and public policy. Additionally, he focuses on campaigns and elections, legislative-executive interaction, and state and federal marijuana policy. John’s book, Presidential Pork: White House Influence over the Distribution of Federal Grants demonstrates that pork-barrel politics occurs beyond the halls of Congress. Presidents capitalize on their discretionary funding authority to target federal dollars to swing states in advance of presidential elections. His other work explores how agency staffing, expertise, and institutional structure facilitate or hinder presidential power and influence. Prior to joining Brookings, John served as the program director and as a graduate fellow at the Center for the Study of Democratic Institutions. He holds a B.A. in political science and economics from the University of Connecticut and an M.A. and Ph.D. in political science from Vanderbilt University.

Moderators

William E. Brown, Jr. is UNLV Director of Brookings Mountain West, and Heidi Johnson serves as Political Science Liaison at UNLV Libraries.

Reception

There was a reception 30 minutes before the start of the program.
Date: Thursday, Oct. 13, 2016
Time: 12:30-1p.m. (reception); 1-2:30 p.m. (panel discussion)
Location: Greenspun Hall Auditorium, UNLV campus.
This event was free and open to the public.
For additional information, please contact: caitlin.saladino@unlv.edu; 702-895-0093.

Brookings Mountain West is a partnership between UNLV and the Washington, D.C.-based Brookings Institution. Brookings Mountain West brings Brookings' high-quality, independent, and impactful research to the issues facing the dynamic and fast-growing Intermountain West region. Through its research, teaching, and community service efforts, Brookings Mountain West: Creates high-quality, independent, impactful programs, publications, and activities that address issues of critical importance to the Intermountain West region; serves as a platform to bring ideas and expertise together and to weave together local, metropolitan, state and discussions about our future; seeks to enhance local, regional, and state research and public policy discussions.