Justin Jones

Please share briefly what inspired you to run for this office and why you feel you’re qualified for the position.

I ran for the County Commission because I felt that I could make a real difference in improving the lives of Southern Nevadans, from supporting small business owners to expanding access to parks, trails and public lands to creating more affordable housing options. Over the past 3+ years, I believe that I have proven to be a committed, effective and compassionate leader on the County Commission and on the many regional boards on which I serve. Prior to joining the County Commission, I served in leadership positions in the Nevada State Senate where I advocated for issues such as universal background checks and protections for homeowners facing foreclosure. I have also previously served in leadership roles for non-profits and advocacy groups, including the Volunteer Center of Southern Nevada, Battle Born Progress, and Emerge Nevada.

As more Nevadans are facing homelessness during the Covid-19 pandemic how do you plan on dealing with homelessness in your county?

Shortly after joining the Clark County Commission, I and my colleagues voted to designate more than $12 million collected in cannabis fees to address homelessness. I am proud of my efforts to date working to address homelessness and affordable housing and will continue to devote my time collaborating with cities, the State, and non-profits to meaningfully reduce homelessness, increase affordable housing stock, and improve access to wraparound services.

The Registrar of Voters/County Clerk reports to the County Commissioners. With the rise of misinformation regarding the integrity/security of our elections and threatened acts of violence towards our election officials, what would you do to combat the misinformation and how would you provide support to the Election Department?

I have provided strong support to our County Election Department throughout the challenging 2020 election cycle and heading into the 2022 election to ensure that they have every resources needed to conduct free and fair elections. I have also called out election misinformation and supported election officials who have done the same, even when they are not of my party (e.g. Secretary of State Barbara Cegavske).

Nevada has historically protected the right to abortion, including protecting the right in statute 30 years ago by a vote of the people. However, there remain barriers to access in the state. Do you support not only the right to abortion but policies that improve equitable access to abortion care?

I strongly support the right to an abortion and policies that ensure safe and equitable access to abortion care.

It is well documented that patients of color face greater obstacles to obtaining sexual and reproductive health care than non-Hispanic white Americans – a pattern that results in worse health outcomes overall for BIPOC patients. Do you not only acknowledge systemic racism’s role in public health disparities but will you pursue policies that seek to rectify the historical harm of systemic racism and advance equitable access to health care?

I recognize that systemic racism has led to public health disparities in our community and will support policies that address equitable access to health care.

There is a need for transgender specific and inclusive shelters and housing options that are coordinated and supported by Continuums of Care (CoCs). What can you do to ensure people who identify as transgender, who experience homelessness and who are precariously housed at higher rates than any other population, have dedicated homelessness and housing services to address their urgent needs?

I strongly support access to safe housing and social services for transgender individuals experiencing homelessness and lack of access to housing.

LGBTQ+ youth are disproportionately represented and undercounted and under supported in child welfare and juvenile justice. Do you support the implementation of LGBTQ+ specific policies and procedures that enforce the need for comprehensive data collection, tailored family reunification services, improved policies and procedures and a transparent and easy to access grievance process for LGBTQ+ youth?

I support the implementation of LGBTQ+ specific policies and procedures that enforce the need for comprehensive data collection, tailored family reunification services, improved policies and procedures and a transparent and easy to access grievance proces

We have seen rental rates increasing at a very alarming rate, in some instances upwards of 30%. How do you see the County Commission taking action to keep Nevadans in their homes and not being priced out?

The County has already funded a pilot program to address the dramatic increase in rents, which is particularly distressing for seniors and other on fixed incomes. I am committed to working with my Commission colleagues on additional measures to address this crisis.

Nevada has one of the largest shares of federal public land of any state in the country, providing important wildlife habitat, places to hunt, camp, fish and hike, and acting as the foundation of a billion dollar outdoor industry. Even so, some lawmakers have promoted policies that seek wholesale transfer of federal ownership of our national lands to states. A) Would you support or oppose these land transfer policies? B) Would should the State of Nevada’s role be in the management and ownership of federal land?

I do not support the wholesale transfer of public lands and strongly support efforts to preserve and protect our public lands. While there may be appropriate circumstances in which ownership of federal public lands is transferred to the State of Nevada, I believe those circumstances should be limited.

State investments in conservation provide resources for a wide range of public benefit, like the management of wildlife and state land, and the creation and maintenance of trails and other recreational facilities. In 2019, the Legislature approved $217 million of bonding authority for conservation purposes, including for the acquisition of land for new state parks. A) Do you support or oppose state investment in conservation? B) Has Nevada’s investment in land conservation been too little, too much, or about right, and how would you change it?

I strongly support state investment in conservation measures. Given that recreational tourism is a multi-billion dollar industry in Nevada, I think there is good reason for further invest in conservation.

How will the county ensure that low-income communities of color and impacted communities are centered when writing county climate plans?

Clark County's climate action plan -- All-In Clark County -- has incorporated communities of color in the discussions and drafting of the plan from the beginning. In addition, the All-In Plan includes equity considerations in every proposed action that will be considered.

How will the county address decades of environmental injustices that have placed low-income communities of color in the most polluted and hottest neighborhoods?

I am leading efforts at the County through our Department of Environment and Sustainability to address environmental injustices, including identifying opportunities for addressing the urban heat island effect by increasing tree canopy and exploring innovative options such as cool pavement treatments. I am also pushing the County and the RTC to convert as quickly as possible to zero emission vehicles in order to reduce air pollution.

Will you practice a just transition approach to Nevada’s clean energy & sustainability plans while holding accountable those who must consult and collaborate with Nevada’s Tribal Nations on decisions which may negatively impact their indigenous lifeways?

I fully support Nevada's efforts to transition to 100% clean energy and plan for a more sustainable future, consulting first with Nevada's Tribal Nations to ensure that decisions do not negatively affect them.

What is your knowledge of the unique needs facing the “urban Native American” diaspora residing in southern Nevada?

I have worked to educate myself on issues facing our Native American community members and am certainly aware of the history of our country in mistreating and marginalizing indigenous peoples. I will continue working to understand the unique needs that urban Native American communities and how I can do more to assist them.

What is your stance on transitioning to all paper ballot elections? And the hand count of paper ballots?What is your knowledge of the unique needs facing the “urban Native American” diaspora residing in southern Nevada?

I do not support transitioning to paper ballots. Our current system of electronic voting machines and machine-counting of mail-in ballots is safe, fair and efficient.

How will you resist official or unofficial, public or private pressure to alter, manipulate, or baselessly reject the results of an election?

I have publicly condemned, and will continue to condemn, all efforts to alter, manipulate or reject the results of a free and fair election.

How will you resist and counteract official or unofficial, public or private disinformation concerning the results of an election?

I have publicly condemned, and will continue to condemn, all efforts to disseminate disinformation concerning the results of an election.