North Las Vegas Mayoral Runoff Narrows to Black and Monroe-Moreno
North Las Vegas City Councilman Scott Black will face Democratic Assemblymember Daniele Monroe-Moreno in a general election runoff for mayor after five candidates split the primary vote without securing the required 50% threshold, nevadacurrent.com reported.
The upcoming contest replaces outgoing Mayor Pamela Goynes-Brown, who has served on the city council since 2015 and won her first mayoral term in 2022. Goynes-Brown, Nevada’s first Black mayor, cannot run for re-election because her mayoral term counts against a 12-year term limit for elected city service.
Term Limits and Nonpartisan Office Status Draw Debate
Monroe-Moreno has criticized the city’s term limits as a disadvantage for voters, arguing that North Las Vegas residents need a mayor capable of serving a full 12-year span if re-elected. Because Black has already served on the council since his election in 2017, term limits mean he would only be eligible to serve a single term as mayor if he wins.
Although both candidates are registered Democrats, the mayoral seat is officially nonpartisan. Monroe-Moreno serves as the Chair of the Nevada Democratic Party, a dual role that Black has targeted on his campaign website. Black stated that the municipal office is meant to serve every resident and argued that City Hall should answer to neighbors rather than hyper-partisan political agendas.
Monroe-Moreno represents Assembly District 1, encompassing North Las Vegas, and previously worked as a corrections officer with the North Las Vegas Police Department. Black owned a local marketing firm prior to joining the city council and currently serves as mayor pro tem.
North Las Vegas Faces Highest Unemployment in Southern Nevada
North Las Vegas continues working to maintain financial stability following the 2013 economic downturn when the municipality neared bankruptcy. Black, who holds endorsements from outgoing Mayor Goynes-Brown, points to the city’s growth in public safety, neighborhood improvements, and billions in economic investments during his tenure on the council.
Despite those gains, the city’s unemployment rate stood at 5% as of August, remaining the highest among Southern Nevada cities. Monroe-Moreno pointed to that figure as a negative indicator for local job growth during her interview with nevadacurrent.com.
Both campaigns identified housing affordability and the high cost of living as top priorities. Monroe-Moreno proposed examining ways to restrict corporate homeowners from purchasing excessive numbers of single-family homes, noting that similar state legislative efforts previously met vetoes from Republican Gov. Joe Lombardo. Black countered by highlighting municipal progress, stating that the city has developed 1,400 affordable housing units since 2017 to create sustainable access to housing.
Candidates Disagree on Rent Increase Caps
The Culinary Union previously attempted to qualify a local ballot initiative enforcing a 5% cap on rent increases. After questions arose regarding whether the petition gathered enough valid signatures, the North Las Vegas City Council voted 4-1 to kill the initiative, with Black joining the majority.
Black defended the vote by describing the union measure as a one-size-fits-all solution unsuited for the community. Monroe-Moreno told nevadacurrent.com she favored a stabilization plan to manage rent increases for families and senior citizens. In a subsequent interview with The Nevada Independent, she clarified that while she opposes blanket rent control, she supports stabilizing rent increases for fixed-income residents, including seniors, veterans, and individuals with disabilities.
Black Holds Fundraising Lead over Monroe-Moreno
Financial disclosures show Black holding a significant fundraising advantage with approximately $513,131 in cash on hand. Monroe-Moreno reported roughly $92,370 in available campaign funds.
Black secured endorsements from former North Las Vegas mayors John Lee and Shari Buck, alongside labor and business groups including the North Las Vegas Police Association, North Las Vegas Firefighters, the Vegas Chamber, and the Southern Nevada Home Builders Association. Monroe-Moreno earned backing from prominent state Democrats, including Nevada Attorney General Aaron Ford, U.S. Rep. Steven Horsford, and U.S. Sens. Catherine Cortez Masto and Jacky Rosen, alongside organizations such as SEIU, the Nevada State AFL-CIO, and the Progressive Leadership Alliance of Nevada Action Fund.
Voter Questions About the North Las Vegas Mayoral Election
Who are the candidates running in the North Las Vegas mayoral runoff?
North Las Vegas City Councilman Scott Black and Democratic Assemblymember Daniele Monroe-Moreno advanced from a five-candidate primary to compete in the general election runoff.
Why is current Mayor Pamela Goynes-Brown not running for re-election?
Mayor Pamela Goynes-Brown was ineligible to run for another term because her time as mayor contributes to a 12-year term limit for elected service in North Las Vegas city government.
What is the current unemployment rate in North Las Vegas?
The city’s unemployment rate stood at 5% as of August, which remains the highest rate among cities in Southern Nevada.
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