Nnedi Stephens is a community activist looking to fill the Senate District 13 seat left vacated by Julia Ratti, who resigned in November as she prepared to move outside the district.
“Throughout their teens and into adulthood, Nnedi’s desire for community betterment only grew, becoming involved in over ten community organizations, including Nevada Women’s Lobby, Human Rights Campaign, and Nevada Democratic Black Caucus,” the About page of their campaign website indicates. “Before transitioning to a full-time role as an advocate for progress, Nnedi worked as a full-time caregiver and served as a public servant on both state and federal levels.”
The kickoff campaign event last night was also about diversity. District 13 is 35% Hispanic, and as someone who holds a degree in Spanish and Spanish translation, Stephens makes sure that their campaign website, and press releases already have Spanish translations included.
As a Reno-born Nevadan, Stephens has seen how the region’s growth has created more diversity.
“It’s been a really humbling and fascinating experience to see … the different folks who have come in- different cultures that have become kind of enmeshed,” Stephens told Our Town Reno during a one on one interview in between speeches and mingling with dozens of supporters. “And [that’s] what keeps Reno … just so ultimately unique.”
As a board member for the Community Health Alliance, they say they have been able to get a sense for what lower-income residents need. Part of that, they said is getting more Nevadans access to mental health care.
This is included in their “3 Changes for a Better Nevada,” which also list support for small businesses, and Improved Compensation for Teachers / Increased Representation for Students. Other issues they want to make a difference on if elected is augmenting affordable housing and reducing food deserts.
Campaign masks were laid out on tables at Thursday night’s event.
Stephens is a unique candidate not only because it is their first time campaigning, but because they are a non-binary candidate as well doing so.
As a non-binary person, they understand that figuring out one’s identity is a process, and that process should be met with empathy and respect. They hope that their presence as a Senate candidate will provide more visibility for the trans and non-binary community.
“I want to show folks that yes, you can live your authentic self, and you can be who you are, and you can still run for office,” Stephens said. “You can do all the things, and that in itself is such a powerful message that I am so honored to be able to convey.”
Stephens, who is running as a Democrat is expected to face off against ex-assemblyman Skip Daly, who served twice, from 2010 until 2014 and again from 2016 to 2020, with the primary election set for June 14, and the winner favored to win the general in November.