Nevada Senate Democrats announce leadership changes

State Sen. Kelvin Atkinson will take over as assistant minority leader in the Senate, after longtime Sen. Debbie Smith died last month, the Nevada Senate Democratic caucus announced today.

Atkinson, who was previously co-minority whip, has served in the Senate since 2012. Before that, he was an assemblyman for nine years.

Sen. Joyce Woodhouse, who was elected to the Senate in 2012, will take over as co-minority whip.

The two will join Senate Democratic Leader Aaron Ford and Sen. Ruben Kihuen, the other co-minority whip, on the caucus’s leadership team.

“Kelvin and Joyce have proven themselves as dedicated, hardworking, team-oriented leaders, and they have earned the respect of their fellow senators,” Ford said. “Our caucus will be well served by having them as part of our leadership team.”

Smith died in late February, a year after doctors started treating her for a malignant brain tumor. Hundreds of people attended a memorial service for Smith last weekend at Smith High School, and Democratic and Republican politicians alike praised Smith for her service to the state and mourned her loss.