Steven Horsford

Steven Horsford is an American politician serving as the U.S. Representative for Nevada's 4th congressional district. A member of the Democratic Party, he was first elected to Congress in 2012, served a single term, and after a two-year hiatus, was re-elected in 2018. His district encompasses a large area of central Nevada, including parts of North Las Vegas and rural counties like Nye County. Horsford has held leadership roles including Chair of the Congressional Black Caucus and serves on influential committees like the House Ways and Means Committee.

Early life and education

Steven Horsford was born in Las Vegas, Nevada, and was raised primarily by his grandmother after his father was killed when he was a child. He attended local public schools in Clark County before pursuing higher education at the University of Nevada, Reno, where he earned a Bachelor of Arts in political science. During his youth, he worked in the hospitality industry in Las Vegas, an experience that informed his later advocacy for worker rights. His early involvement in politics included volunteering for campaigns and community organizations focused on economic development in Southern Nevada.

Early career

Before entering electoral politics, Horsford built a significant career in nonprofit leadership and workforce development. He served as the chief executive officer of the Culinary Training Academy, a joint venture between the Culinary Workers Union and major casino resorts on the Las Vegas Strip. In this role, he worked to create job training programs for the hospitality industry. His work earned him appointments to statewide boards, including the Nevada Commission on Economic Development and the Board of Regents of the Nevada System of Higher Education. In 2004, he was elected to the Nevada Senate, where he later made history by becoming the first African American to serve as Senate Majority Leader.

U.S. House of Representatives

Horsford was first elected to the United States House of Representatives in 2012, winning the newly created Nevada's 4th congressional district. He served on the House Homeland Security Committee and the House Budget Committee during his initial term. After losing his seat in 2016 to Ruben Kihuen, he regained it in 2018. Upon his return to Congress, he secured a coveted seat on the powerful House Ways and Means Committee. He was elected Chair of the Congressional Black Caucus for the 117th Congress, playing a key role in advancing the caucus's legislative priorities. He has been re-elected in subsequent cycles, including 2022.

Political positions

Horsford is considered a mainstream Democrat with a legislative focus on economic equity, healthcare, and gun control. He has been a proponent of the Affordable Care Act and supported measures to lower prescription drug costs. As a member of the Ways and Means Committee, he has worked on issues related to tax reform and the Child Tax Credit. He supports strengthening labor unions and has advocated for a higher federal minimum wage. On gun policy, he backs universal background checks and bans on assault weapons. He has also been active on issues specific to Nevada, including water rights in the Colorado River basin and funding for renewable energy projects.

Electoral history

In his initial run for the House in 2012, Horsford defeated Republican nominee Danny Tarkanian. He lost the seat in 2016 to Democrat Ruben Kihuen in the primary, but Kihuen later chose not to seek re-election. Horsford won the 2018 general election against Republican Cresent Hardy, whom he had previously defeated in 2014. He was re-elected in 2020 against Jim Marchant and again in 2022 against Sam Peters. His district, Nevada's 4th congressional district, is considered competitive but has trended Democratic in recent federal elections.

Category:Members of the United States House of Representatives from Nevada Category:1973 births Category:Living people