State Dems pick McCurdy to lead party

First African-American, youngest elected to post

Democrats from across the state elected Assemblyman William McCurdy II as chair of the Nevada State Democratic Party on Saturday.

McCurdy also made history by becoming the first African-American elected to the post and also as the youngest person elected in modern party history.

McCurdy, 28, was elected during the party’s state central committee meeting in Las Vegas.

“This is a new chapter for our party and for all Nevadans,” McCurdy said in a news release from the party Saturday. “Our mission now is to come together around our common goals as progressives.”

“We have so much to accomplish together as a united Democratic Party in 2018,” he said. His plans include replacing Dean Heller in the U.S. Senate, keeping current Democrats in office, electing a Democratic governor and reclaiming statewide constitutional offices.

The Las Vegas native represents District 6 in the Nevada Assembly. His first bill presented as an assemblyman was to raise the hourly minimum wage to $15.

Outgoing chair Roberta Lange, who led the state’s party for six years, said she has hope for the Democratic Party’s future.

“He has proven himself to be a progressive fighter for students and working families,” she said Saturday. “I can’t wait to see him bring that fiery passion to this role in holding Republicans accountable up and down the ticket.”

Nevada Democrats also elected Marty McGarry as first vice chair and Jose Solorio as second vice chair. Secretary Marla Turner and Treasurer Jan Churchhill were re-elected.