Mayor of Las Vegas

Mayor of Las Vegas is the chief executive of the Las Vegas City Council, responsible for overseeing the City of Las Vegas and its various departments, including the Las Vegas Metropolitan Police Department and the Las Vegas Fire Department. The mayor works closely with other city officials, such as the Clark County Commission and the Nevada State Legislature, to address issues affecting the city and its residents, including University of Nevada, Las Vegas students and Downtown Las Vegas business owners. The mayor also collaborates with neighboring cities, like Henderson, Nevada and North Las Vegas, to promote regional development and cooperation, often through organizations like the Southern Nevada Water Authority and the Regional Transportation Commission of Southern Nevada.

History of the Office

The office of the Mayor of Las Vegas was established in 1911, when Las Vegas was first incorporated as a city, with Peter Buol serving as the first mayor, followed by mayors like William H. Hawkins and Ernest Cragin. Over the years, the city has had several notable mayors, including Oran Gragson, who served from 1959 to 1975 and played a key role in shaping the city's development, working with Howard Hughes and other Las Vegas Strip investors. Other influential mayors include Jan Laverty Jones, the first female mayor, who served from 1991 to 1995 and worked with organizations like the Las Vegas Chamber of Commerce and the Nevada Development Authority, and Oscar Goodman, who served from 1999 to 2011 and was a strong advocate for Downtown Las Vegas redevelopment, often working with Zappos CEO Tony Hsieh and other local business leaders.

Powers and Responsibilities

The Mayor of Las Vegas has a range of powers and responsibilities, including presiding over the Las Vegas City Council and vetoing ordinances, as well as appointing members to various city boards and commissions, such as the Las Vegas Planning Commission and the Las Vegas Arts Commission. The mayor also serves as the city's official representative, meeting with dignitaries like the Governor of Nevada and the Mayor of Los Angeles, and promoting Las Vegas as a tourist destination, often through partnerships with organizations like the Las Vegas Convention and Visitors Authority and the National Park Service. Additionally, the mayor works with city departments, such as the Las Vegas Department of Public Works and the Las Vegas Department of Parks and Recreation, to address issues like infrastructure development and public safety, often in collaboration with neighboring cities like Boulder City, Nevada and Mesquite, Nevada.

List of Mayors

The list of mayors of Las Vegas includes Peter Buol, William H. Hawkins, Ernest Cragin, Oran Gragson, Jan Laverty Jones, and Oscar Goodman, among others, who have all played important roles in shaping the city's development, often working with organizations like the University of Nevada, Las Vegas and the College of Southern Nevada. Other notable mayors include Carolyn Goodman, who has served since 2011 and has been a strong advocate for Downtown Las Vegas redevelopment, often working with Downtown Project and other local business leaders, as well as Fremont Street Experience and Neon Museum officials. The mayors have also worked with regional organizations, like the Southern Nevada Water Authority and the Regional Transportation Commission of Southern Nevada, to address issues affecting the broader Las Vegas Valley region, including Henderson, Nevada and North Las Vegas.

Election Process

The Mayor of Las Vegas is elected through a non-partisan election, with candidates like Carolyn Goodman and Stavros Anthony competing for the office, often with endorsements from organizations like the Las Vegas Chamber of Commerce and the Nevada State Education Association. The election process typically involves a primary election, followed by a general election, with candidates often debating issues like Downtown Las Vegas redevelopment and public safety, as well as regional concerns like Lake Mead water levels and McCarran International Airport expansion. The winner of the election serves a four-year term, with the option to run for re-election, often with support from local leaders like Steve Wynn and Sheldon Adelson.

Current Mayor

The current Mayor of Las Vegas is Carolyn Goodman, who has served since 2011 and has been a strong advocate for Downtown Las Vegas redevelopment, often working with Downtown Project and other local business leaders, as well as Fremont Street Experience and Neon Museum officials. During her tenure, Goodman has focused on issues like public safety, economic development, and education, often collaborating with organizations like the Las Vegas Metropolitan Police Department and the Clark County School District. She has also worked to promote Las Vegas as a tourist destination, partnering with organizations like the Las Vegas Convention and Visitors Authority and the National Park Service to attract visitors to the city and its surrounding attractions, including the Grand Canyon and Hoover Dam. Goodman has also been involved in regional initiatives, such as the Southern Nevada Water Authority and the Regional Transportation Commission of Southern Nevada, to address issues affecting the broader Las Vegas Valley region.