Panel Discussion on Nevada’s Emerging “Outdoor Voting Bloc”

Are pro-outdoors positions on public lands issues the key to winning voter support in the swing state?

Las Vegas, NV—A panel of political observers, public lands advocates and recreation business leaders held a discussion on Nevada’s emerging “outdoor voting bloc,” and the role public lands issues could play in the swing-state this November.

The panel included political analyst Jon Ralston with RalstonReports.com, pollster Brian Gottlieb from Purple Strategies, Jared Fisher with Escape Adventures, Mauricia Baca with the Outside Las Vegas Foundation and Jennifer Rokala from the Center for Western Priorities. Andy Maggi from the Nevada Conservation League Education Fund moderated the discussion.

Earlier this year, the Center for Western Priorities released its 2016 Winning the West poll, showing the depth of voter support for Nevada’s public lands. Strong majorities—91 percent—view the desert landscapes, mountains, recreation areas and other public lands as an important part of the local economy and what makes Nevada a good place to live.

“The passion Nevada voters express for the outdoors might counter the conventional wisdom on how our state is viewed from the outside, but it’s no surprise to Nevadans in local communities,” said Mauricia Baca the Executive Director of the Outside Las Vegas Foundation. “We are deeply connected to our breathtaking desert landscapes and majestic mountain peaks. Nevadans value, use and are committed to protecting our outdoor spaces.”

The sentiment was echoed by Andy Maggi the Executive Director at the Nevada Conservation League Education Fund. “We fight to protect our air, water, communities and promote a clean energy economy. In Nevada, we vote for the outdoors.”

Looking to the November elections, the poll showed candidates’ positions on public lands issues can move voters their way. Voters voiced strong support for candidates who advocate for protecting outdoor spaces for recreation activities, expanding the tourism economy to create jobs and encouraging the development of renewable energy. In contrast, candidates who call for selling off public lands for private development or support the extreme positions of Cliven Bundy lost voter support, according to the poll.

“Support for an outdoors way of life defines a growing bloc of voters across the Mountain West and Nevada takes no back seat to its neighboring states in that regard,” said Brian Gottlieb, Managing Director at Purple Strategies, which conducted the Winning the West poll. “Candidates who demonstrate a respect for the outdoors and a commonsense, balanced approach to public lands issues are in a better position to win in Nevada.”

When it comes to economic drivers and job creators, Nevada’s outdoor tourism and recreation economy had an even higher approval rating with voters than the state’s gaming industry, according to the poll. “Standing up for Nevada’s outdoors is not just an environmental cause—it’s about jobs,” said Jared Fisher the Director of Escape Adventures, a mountain bike touring and rental company that operates in Las Vegas and across the West. “Preserving our treasured outdoor spaces leads to good jobs and all of the benefits that come from a growing recreation economy.”

In addition to the poll in Nevada, the Center for Western Priorities’ Winning the West campaign surveyed voters in Colorado and Montana. As part of the effort to highlight the importance of public lands issues, two ads, “Jacquie” and “Michael,” feature real Western voters, sharing their authentic passion for the outdoors. The ads are currently running online in Mountain West states and on cable in Washington, DC.

For more information, visit westernpriorities.org. To speak with an expert on public lands, contact Jesse Prentice-Dunn at 919-360-8462 or jesse@westernpriorities.org.