People First Leadership for District 8

This campaign is personal because it belongs to all of us. We’re living through rising costs, real stress, and a system that isn’t built for working families. Las Vegas can’t wait—and neither are we.

For too long, families in District 8 have been told to wait, to settle, and to accept systems that simply are not working, from traffic that steals time from our families, to housing costs that keep rising, to childcare that many parents cannot afford.

I do not accept that.

And neither should the voters of District 8.

This campaign is about building a future where working families can thrive, where transportation works, housing is within reach, childcare is accessible, and opportunity is real.

Together, we can move our community forward.

LAS VEGAS CAN'T WAIT

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MEET PAUL JOHN

Paul John is a working-class advocate, community organizer, and candidate for Nevada State Assembly District 8 in Las Vegas. Raised in a blue-collar family in Detroit, Paul John grew up watching his parents work multiple jobs to provide stability and opportunity for their children. Those early experiences shaped his understanding of hard work, sacrifice, and the challenges many families face just to get by.

Paul John’s life has been defined by resilience. As a young adult pursuing a career in acting, he navigated financial instability, at times stretching minimal resources to survive and even experiencing homelessness. Through those challenges, he developed a deep sense of empathy and a commitment to building a better future, not just for himself, but for others facing similar struggles.

Since relocating to Nevada, Paul John has been actively involved in the Clark County community. From 2020 to 2022, he worked with the Las Vegas Democratic Socialists of America, serving on the steering committee and later being elected Chair of the chapter. He helped lead housing justice efforts that included over 1,000 door knocks and supporting hundreds of tenants navigating eviction court processes.

He has also volunteered with the Las Vegas Vegan Food Bank, helping run a monthly mutual aid program in Northeast Las Vegas that provided food, clothing, essential supplies, and assistance with obtaining identification for unhoused individuals. In addition, Paul John has participated in leadership development through New American Leaders and Run for Something.

Today, Paul John is a husband, father, and homeowner who brings lived experience to his campaign. He is running to advance policies that support working families, including affordable housing, accessible childcare, expanded healthcare, and reliable public transportation. Grounded in service and driven by community, Paul John is committed to building a more equitable, stable, and livable future for District 8

He's not a career politician; he is one of you - working class.

This isn’t politics for him. This is real life.

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THE PLATFORM

Las Vegas can’t wait on affordability any longer. Paul John will lower costs, ease the burden on working families, and make everyday life more manageable.

Affordable Housing & Smart Growth

THE PROBLEM

Families across our community are working hard but still struggling to keep up with rising housing costs. Rent continues to climb faster than wages, and homeownership feels further out of reach for many working families.

But the real cost of living isn’t just housing, it’s housing plus transportation. When people are forced to live far from jobs, schools, grocery stores, and healthcare, they often must rely on owning multiple cars just to get through daily life. For many households, transportation becomes the second-largest expense after rent, with some families spending 20–30% of their income on car payments, gas, insurance, maintenance, and rideshare rides.

Outdated housing rules, slow approvals, and growth that pushes farther into protected public lands instead of building smarter have made the problem worse. And working families should not be asked to pay higher taxes just to fix a housing system that isn’t working for them.

THE PLAN

As an Assemblyman, Paul John will champion these step-by-step objectives:

Build More Housing The Right Way
We need more homes, plain and simple, but built smarter. Paul John will push to make it easier and faster to
build duplexes, townhomes, and mixed-income developments that working families can actually afford.

This means:

Cutting red tape that slows down housing projects
Prioritizing developments that serve working people, not luxury-only units
Encouraging diverse housing types so families have real options

Strengthen and Expand AB540 Without Burdening Working Families

Nevada’s housing bill AB540 is a starting point, but it must go further.

Paul John will:

Expand funding through public-private partnerships, not higher taxes on working families
Ensure essential workers qualify for housing support, including:
- Hospitality casino & hotel staff
- Educators
- Mental health professionals
- Social workers
- Service industry workers

If you keep this city running, you deserve to live in it.

Build Smarter to Protect Public Lands
We cannot keep expanding outward and destroying the land that makes Nevada home.

Paul John will fight for:

Building up, not out, and focusing growth along major corridors
Protecting public lands from overdevelopment
Smarter zoning that creates walkable, connected communities

This approach keeps housing affordable and preserves our environment.

Connect Housing to Affordable & Reliable Transportation
Housing and transportation go hand in hand.

Paul John will champion:

Building housing near reliable public transit
Investing in long-term solutions like electric rail
Creating neighborhoods with:
- Sidewalks
- Bike lanes
- Safe walking paths and trails

This lowers costs for families and makes daily life safer and easier.

Hold Corporations Accountable

Housing should be for people, not just profit. Paul John will push to:

Cap how many homes hedge funds and corporations can buy
Limit how much land large investors can control
Protect neighborhoods from being taken over by out-of-state investors

Working families should not be competing with billion-dollar corporations for a place to live.

BOTTOM LINE

This plan is about putting people first, not corporations, not special interests.

We can build a future where working families in District 8 have:

A home they can afford
A community they feel safe in
And a system that works for the
Create a future where families can afford to live closer to opportunity, spend less time commuting, keep more of their income, and build long-term stability right here in Las Vegas.

Housing is a humanitarian right; it’s about dignity, stability, and livability. A responsibility to make sure working people are not priced out of their own community.

Universal Affordable Childcare for Working Families

THE PROBLEM

Nevada, including the Las Vegas metro area, consistently ranked as one of the worst states in the U.S. for childcare. Our state is even considered a “childcare desert”.

Here in our community, people are grinding every single day. Parents are working long shifts, picking up extra hours, and doing whatever it takes to care for their kids and keep a roof over their heads. But the reality is that childcare costs in Las Vegas have gotten so high that, for many families, it feels like paying a second rent.

Too many parents are being pushed into impossible decisions, cutting back their work hours, turning down opportunities to move up, or stepping out of the workforce completely because safe, reliable childcare is just out of reach. This is something my family and I are currently facing as first-time parents. This doesn’t just hurt families. It hurts our whole local economy. Businesses can’t find workers. Providers are overwhelmed and underpaid. Waitlists keep growing.

And what I hear over and over again is this: Working families feel stuck in the middle. They make too much to qualify for help, but nowhere near enough to afford childcare on their own. That gap is real. And it’s holding District 8 back from reaching its full potential.

THE PLAN

As your Assemblymember, Paul John will use the full power of the Nevada State Assembly
to write the laws, fight for funding, and build the coalitions needed to deliver real results
for working families.

1. Expand who qualifies for childcare assistance
Too many working families are currently locked out of help. He will fight to raise the income
eligibility limits so working-class and middle-income parents can finally access affordable childcare. No family should be struggling just because they make a little too much to qualify but not enough to afford care.

2. End the benefits cliff with a sliding scale system
Right now, families can lose all their childcare support the moment they get a raise. I will push for a fair sliding scale so assistance phases out gradually. This allows parents to move forward in their careers without fear of suddenly losing childcare.

Step 3. Invest in childcare workers and providers
We can’t expand childcare without investing in the people who provide it. I will fight through legislation and budget priorities to:

Increase wages for childcare workers
Expand training and workforce pipelines
Modernize licensing rules to open more centers
Increase reimbursement rates so providers can serve more families

When we support providers, we expand access for everyone.

Step 4. Launch pilot universal childcare programs in high-need communities
We don’t have to wait; we can start now.

Paul John will secure funding through the state budget and partnerships to launch pilot universal childcare programs in communities like District 8, offering:

Affordable or free early childhood education
Extended hours for working parents
Partnerships with public schools and trusted community organizations

This is how we prove what works and scale it statewide.

Step 5. Bring childcare closer to where families live and work
Childcare should fit into your life, not make it harder. Paul John will pass policies that integrate childcare into:

Public schools
Housing developments
Community centers
Transit-connected areas

Families deserve safe, reliable childcare near where they live and work.

Step 6. Build the Coalition to Get It Done
Big change doesn’t happen alone. Paul John will work alongside:

Fellow legislators
Childcare providers
Labor unions
Parents and community organizations

Together, we will build the support needed to pass these laws and make childcare a top priority in Nevada. This is about putting working families at the center of power.

The Bottom Line

This is about dignity.
This is about stability.
This is about giving working families a real shot.

Paul John is ready to fight as hard as it takes in Carson City and in our community to get the job finished.

Affordable, Reliable Public Transit &
Electric Rail

THE PROBLEM

Let’s be honest, transportation in Las Vegas is not working for working families.

We are the only major metropolitan region in the entire Mountain West without a light rail or metro transit system. Every day, residents lose hours waiting for buses, sitting in traffic, or walking along unsafe roads with no sidewalks just to reach the nearest stop. In many neighborhoods, safe bike lanes don’t exist. Reliable transit options are limited. And the reality is, people are exhausted.

For too long, living in Southern Nevada has meant you must own a car just to survive. But owning a car is expensive. Many families are spending 25–30% of their income on transportation, car payments, gas, insurance, and repairs. That is almost like carrying a second rent or mortgage.

Transportation costs are directly tied to housing affordability and the overall cost of living. If we want to lower everyday expenses, we must improve transit and build more housing near jobs and transit corridors. For years, our community has been told to “deal with the traffic,” “deal with long commutes,” and “deal with a system that hasn’t kept up with our growth.” Meanwhile, we see massive investments being made to move tourists and wealthy visitors around the Strip.

I don’t accept that, and neither should you.

As your next Assemblyman, I am ready to fight through bureaucracy, delays, and political excuses to move Southern Nevada toward building a modern regional transit system that connects people to jobs, schools, opportunity, and home.

THE PLAN

This is not just about building a train. This is about building a transportation and economic future that works for working families. As an Assemblyman, Paul John cannot build a light rail system alone. However, he. will help make it financially and politically possible. His role is to give Southern Nevada the tools, funding authority, and leadership needed to finally move from conversation to real action.

Fix Every Bus Stop. No Exceptions
Let’s be real, too many bus stops in our community are unacceptable. People are standing in extreme heat, in the dark, without seating, sidewalks, or safety.

That ends.

Paul John will push to ensure every bus stop in District 8 is:

Shaded and protected from the weather
Equipped with seating
ADA accessible
Well-lit for safety
Clean and regularly maintained
Fully paved, no more dirt islands
Connected to safe sidewalks and crossings

Public transit should never feel like punishment.

Make Transit Reliable & Fund It
If the bus doesn’t come on time, nothing else works.

He will fight for:

Increased funding for bus frequency and reliability
More consistent service across all neighborhoods
Stronger state support for transit operations
Safer, cleaner transit experiences for riders

Because working families shouldn’t have to plan their lives around delays.

Unlock Smart Funding (No More Burden on You)

We can build better transit without putting it all on working families. Paul John will introduce legislation to unlock proven funding tools:

Transit-Oriented Development funding
Tax Increment Financing (TIF) districts
Station-area investment zones
Growth-based infrastructure funding

When transit creates economic growth, that growth should help pay for it.

Let Growth Help Pay for Transit

When transit infrastructure is built, surrounding areas often see new housing and businesses, as well as rising property values. Instead of letting that growth happen without reinvestment, we can dedicate a portion of new tax revenue generated by development to help fund:

Rail construction
Station improvements
Safer pedestrian access
Workforce housing near transit

This approach has worked in cities like Denver, Portland, Dallas, Seattle, and Minneapolis.

It sends a clear message: Southern Nevada is serious about building a competitive future.

Connect Transit to Housing & Jobs

Transportation policy must work hand in hand with housing and economic development.

Paul John will push strategies that prioritize:

Build workforce housing near transit
Connect routes to major job centers
Support walkable, bike-friendly communities
Reduce long, expensive commutes

This means lower costs, more access, and better quality of life while strengthening the competitiveness of federal funding, increasing ridership potential, and building regional support.

Build Toward Electric Rail

Las Vegas is the largest metro city in the Mountain West without rail.

That’s unacceptable.

As your Assemblyman, he will:

Fight to make electric rail financially possible
Secure state authority and funding tools
Build regional and political support
Push Southern Nevada from talk → to action

Paul John won’t overpromise, but he will fight like hell to get it moving.

Bring Everyone to the Table

Big change takes real leadership.I will bring together:

Local governments
The Regional Transportation Commission (RTC)
Labor unions
Developers
Business leaders
Community voices

To align on:

Priority transit corridors
Funding strategies
Long-term mobility goals

Because nothing moves without leadership.

The Bottom Line

Right now, too many people in District 8:

Wait too long for the bus
Walk in unsafe conditions
Spend too much to get around
Deal with a system that doesn’t respect their time or dignity

That’s not acceptable.

As your Assemblyman, he will fight for:

Better bus stops
More reliable service
Safer streets
Smarter growth
A real path to modern transit

Because working families deserve a transportation system that helps them get ahead, not fall behind.

Let’s build it. Let’s move forward. Let's Get It!

Jobs and Economy

THE PROBLEM

Working-class families in Las Vegas are doing everything right and still falling behind. Wages are too low, housing is too expensive, childcare is out of reach, and too many people can’t find stable work. Nevada ranks near the bottom in education, near the top in unemployment, and near the worst for raising a family. That’s not acceptable, and it’s exactly why I’m running.

THE PLAN

District 8 deserves an economy that works for working families, not just corporations at the top. As your Assemblymember, I will use the power of legislation, the state budget, and strong partnerships within my party to bring real investment and job opportunities into our community. That starts with building more housing the right way, creating immediate jobs in the skilled trades while making it more affordable for families to live here.

It also means investing in workforce training so the people of District 8 are first in line for good-paying careers in healthcare, construction, logistics, and clean energy. We will support small businesses, which are the backbone of our economy, by expanding access to grants, cutting unnecessary red tape, and helping local entrepreneurs grow right here in our neighborhoods.

At the same time, we must remove the barriers that are holding working families back. That means delivering universal, affordable childcare so parents can return to work and strengthen our economy, while also creating good jobs in early education. It means investing in reliable infrastructure and public transportation so businesses want to locate in District 8, and workers can easily access jobs.

As a member of the Assembly, I will work with my colleagues to pass legislation, direct funding, and prioritize policies that put working people first, not corporate giveaways. That’s why I do not support failed approaches like Assembly Bill 5 (AB5), a $1.8 billion incentive package for Sony and Warner Bros., which does not guarantee long-term benefits for working-class families. Instead, I believe in investing directly in our communities, building an economy that delivers dignity, stability, and livability for everyone.

Upcoming Campaign Events

OCT

Join Paul John to discuss our community’s future and common-sense solutions at the Summerlin Library.

Community Town Hall: District 8 Vision(Updates Coming Soon)

APR

OCT

A special gathering at Floyd Lamb Park to honor our local veterans and discuss policies supporting military families.

RSVP Now

APR

OCT

Door Knocking(Updates Coming Soon)

APR

A special gathering at Floyd Lamb Park to honor our local veterans and discuss policies supporting military families.

RSVP Now

APR

NOV

Phone Banking(Updates Coming Soon)

Direct neighborhood forum on safety and public initiatives. Mobilizing District 8 for a better Nevada.

RSVP Now

View All Upcoming Events

Join Paul John in Securing District 8's Future

Las Vegas deserves leadership that listens. Be part of our growing grassroots movement by signing up for campaign updates, upcoming town halls, volunteer opportunities, and making a donation.

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People First Leadership for District 8

MEET PAUL JOHN

Affordable Housing & Smart Growth

THE PROBLEM

Families across our community are working hard but still struggling to keep up with rising housing costs. Rent continues to climb faster than wages, and homeownership feels further out of reach for many working families.

Outdated housing rules, slow approvals, and growth that pushes farther into protected public lands instead of building smarter have made the problem worse. And working families should not be asked to pay higher taxes just to fix a housing system that isn’t working for them.

THE PLAN

As an Assemblyman, Paul John will champion these step-by-step objectives:

Build More Housing The Right Way We need more homes, plain and simple, but built smarter. Paul John will push to make it easier and faster to build duplexes, townhomes, and mixed-income developments that working families can actually afford. This means:

Cutting red tape that slows down housing projects

Prioritizing developments that serve working people, not luxury-only units

Encouraging diverse housing types so families have real options

Strengthen and Expand AB540 Without Burdening Working Families

Nevada’s housing bill AB540 is a starting point, but it must go further.

Paul John will:

Expand funding through public-private partnerships, not higher taxes on working families

Ensure essential workers qualify for housing support, including:

Hospitality casino & hotel staff

Educators

Mental health professionals

Social workers

Service industry workers

If you keep this city running, you deserve to live in it.

Build Smarter to Protect Public Lands We cannot keep expanding outward and destroying the land that makes Nevada home.

Paul John will fight for:

Building up, not out, and focusing growth along major corridors

Protecting public lands from overdevelopment

Smarter zoning that creates walkable, connected communities

This approach keeps housing affordable and preserves our environment.

​

Connect Housing to Affordable & Reliable Transportation Housing and transportation go hand in hand.

Paul John will champion:

Building housing near reliable public transit

Investing in long-term solutions like electric rail

Creating neighborhoods with:

Sidewalks

Bike lanes

Safe walking paths and trails

This lowers costs for families and makes daily life safer and easier.

Hold Corporations Accountable

Housing should be for people, not just profit. Paul John will push to:

Cap how many homes hedge funds and corporations can buy

Limit how much land large investors can control

Protect neighborhoods from being taken over by out-of-state investors

Working families should not be competing with billion-dollar corporations for a place to live.

BOTTOM LINE

This plan is about putting people first, not corporations, not special interests.

We can build a future where working families in District 8 have:

A home they can afford

A community they feel safe in

And a system that works for the

​

Universal Affordable Childcare for Working Families

THE PROBLEM

Nevada, including the Las Vegas metro area, consistently ranked as one of the worst states in the U.S. for childcare. Our state is even considered a “childcare desert”.

And what I hear over and over again is this: Working families feel stuck in the middle. They make too much to qualify for help, but nowhere near enough to afford childcare on their own. That gap is real. And it’s holding District 8 back from reaching its full potential.

THE PLAN

Step 3. Invest in childcare workers and providers We can’t expand childcare without investing in the people who provide it. I will fight through legislation and budget priorities to:

Increase wages for childcare workers

Expand training and workforce pipelines

Modernize licensing rules to open more centers

Increase reimbursement rates so providers can serve more families

When we support providers, we expand access for everyone.

Step 4. Launch pilot universal childcare programs in high-need communities We don’t have to wait; we can start now.

Paul John will secure funding through the state budget and partnerships to launch pilot universal childcare programs in communities like District 8, offering:

Affordable or free early childhood education

Extended hours for working parents

Partnerships with public schools and trusted community organizations

This is how we prove what works and scale it statewide.

Step 5. Bring childcare closer to where families live and work Childcare should fit into your life, not make it harder. Paul John will pass policies that integrate childcare into:

Public schools

Housing developments

Community centers

Transit-connected areas

Families deserve safe, reliable childcare near where they live and work.

Step 6. Build the Coalition to Get It Done Big change doesn’t happen alone. Paul John will work alongside:

Fellow legislators

Childcare providers

Labor unions

Parents and community organizations

Build More Housing The Right Way
We need more homes, plain and simple, but built smarter. Paul John will push to make it easier and faster to
build duplexes, townhomes, and mixed-income developments that working families can actually afford.

This means:

Build Smarter to Protect Public Lands
We cannot keep expanding outward and destroying the land that makes Nevada home.

Connect Housing to Affordable & Reliable Transportation
Housing and transportation go hand in hand.

Step 3. Invest in childcare workers and providers
We can’t expand childcare without investing in the people who provide it. I will fight through legislation and budget priorities to:

Step 4. Launch pilot universal childcare programs in high-need communities
We don’t have to wait; we can start now.

Step 5. Bring childcare closer to where families live and work
Childcare should fit into your life, not make it harder. Paul John will pass policies that integrate childcare into:

Step 6. Build the Coalition to Get It Done
Big change doesn’t happen alone. Paul John will work alongside:

Together, we will build the support needed to pass these laws and make childcare a top priority in Nevada. This is about putting working families at the center of power.

The Bottom Line

This is about dignity.
This is about stability.
This is about giving working families a real shot.

Affordable, Reliable Public Transit &
Electric Rail

Public transit should never feel like punishment.

Make Transit Reliable & Fund It
If the bus doesn’t come on time, nothing else works.

Because working families shouldn’t have to plan their lives around delays.

Unlock Smart Funding (No More Burden on You)

When transit creates economic growth, that growth should help pay for it.

Let Growth Help Pay for Transit

This means lower costs, more access, and better quality of life while strengthening the competitiveness of federal funding, increasing ridership potential, and building regional support.

Build Toward Electric Rail

Paul John won’t overpromise, but he will fight like hell to get it moving.

Bring Everyone to the Table