I'm the only progressive running for governor, and I get results: Chris Giunchigliani

Christina "Chris G" Giunchigliani | Reno Gazette-Journal

Show Caption Hide Caption Here's Nevada's top candidates for governor These are the front runners in the Democratic and Republican primaries for Nevada governor.

I’m Chris G, the only progressive running for governor. I’m a special-education middle-school teacher, former assemblywoman and current Clark County commissioner. I decided to run for governor because we need to fix our public education system — prioritizing schools over stadiums for multimillionaire NFL owners.

I recently spent four days in a motor home I borrowed from a neighbor, going more than 1,000 miles all over Nevada. Showing up is important; if you want to govern this state, you go to people’s communities, see the sidewalks, the schools, meet with local business owners and look people in the eye to hear their concerns.

More: Take our quiz: Which Nevada governor candidate do you most agree with on the issues?

More: Sisolak's attacking me because he can't defend his record: Chris G

More: How to submit an opinion column or letter to the editor

It’s what I did when I was president of the Nevada teachers’ union. I spent four years in the motor home I had at the time, traveling the state. I visited every public school but two, and that was because winter had hit and I didn’t have chains for my tires. I knew then how important it was to talk to teachers, support professionals, parents and kids.

I’ll take the same approach as governor. I’m running to build a Nevada that works for everyone, not just the well-connected few.

There has been a lot of mud thrown my way in this primary. It’s false and much of it has been deeply personal. But I know that this race isn’t about me: it’s about the kid in an overcrowded, under-resourced classroom. It’s about every woman who has been sexually harassed, bullied on the job or been a victim of sexual abuse. It’s about protecting our environment and public lands from developers and corporate interests and finally standing up to the gun lobby.

Here’s what I want you to know about me as you head out to vote. I’m straightforward, I’ll tell you what I think and I act on my conscience — always. My mom was a waitress who supported our family while my dad went to school at night to get his degree. I never thought I’d go to college until I got in and realized that I had a passion for helping special-needs students. I loved every single minute I spent with my kids.

“Can’t” was a swear word in my classroom. I do not accept that Nevada has to be at the bottom of every list on education. We have a responsibility to do better by our children. I will be a governor who makes education our first priority.

I’ve never been part of the good-old-boys network; I don’t worry about ruffling feathers but I do get results. I actually got more progressive legislation passed under Republican control because I know how to bring people together to enact things like universal kindergarten, more funding for schools, requiring insurance companies to cover birth control and expanded protections for victims of domestic violence.

Ralph Denton used to say that there are people who run for office because they want to be somebody and people who run because they want to get things done. I get things done.

I’ll be the first woman governor in Nevada history and our first Democratic governor in almost 20 years. And I will fight the Trump agenda every step of the way.

At one of my first events after I announced for governor, I recognized a former student of mine in the crowd. She had taken a bus 30 minutes across town, gave me a big hug and handed me a dollar bill. She said, that’s all I can afford right now but I wanted you to know you have my support. That’s who I’m running to fight for. I’m asking for your vote. Thank you.

Chris Giunchigliani is a Clark County commissioner and candidate for Nevada governor.