Yesterday we spent the day visiting Pahrump, and I had the chance to talk to nearly 150 people.  With only one week until Election Day, I want to make sure we get out and hear from people all across our state.  And in Pahrump, just like we have experienced all around Nevada, there was excitement and enthusiasm.

I visited the Pahrump Hospital to tour the facility and meet with employees.  We talked about issues ranging from immigration and Iraq to Medicare and the funding I helped secure for their hospital.  We are always in contact with Pahrump officials and local elected officials around the state to make sure we are doing all we can for you in the United States Senate.  The funding we secured for the Pahrump Hospital is just one example (www.johnensign.org/accomplishments).

After visiting the hospital, I spoke to Pahrump Valley High School students.  Talking to students is truly one of my favorite parts of being your Senator, and yesterday was not any different.  We discussed the role of the federal government, accountability in the classroom, and the importance of being active in elections.

At the Wal-Mart, Pahrump residents Denise and Jenny along with local veterans have organized a unique “Wall of Heroes,” which includes pictures of servicemen and women from around their community.  This dedication should be cherished by everyone. 

I visited the Wall yesterday with more than 60 people, most of whom were veterans who fought for the freedoms we enjoy today.  It serves as a reminder that when we send our men and women overseas to fight we need to put our party differences aside and be Americans.  In the Senate, I am committed to providing our vets the services they deserve and the services we have promised to them, which is why I fought for a VA hospital in southern Nevada.

Thank you to everyone who turned out to suport my campaign for the United States Senate, and especially those who volunteered their time to help put together an exceptional campaign stop in Pahrump.  Thank you for your continued support.  Together we will keep Nevada strong.

Posted by: John Ensign

We returned last night from our statewide tour, and Senator Ensign met with more than 500 people in three days, on top of walking in Carson’s Nevada Day Parade with more than 15,000 in attendance.  From Mesquite to West Wendover to Fallon, Senator Ensign talked to Nevadans about local concerns involving public land management, water resources, and educating our children.  With early voting already underway and Election Day less than two weeks away, Ensign encouraged everyone to be active, to vote, and to talk to their friends and family about voting.

The tour included Mesquite, Caliente, Pioche, Ely, West Wendover, Wells, Elko, Winnemucca, Lovelock, Yerington, and Fallon.  At rallies and meet-and-greets across the state, Senator Ensign spent time listening to voters and talking about how we can work together to solve some of the problems in their communities.

“Even though as Nevadans we face some of the same issues involving public land and water, each town has unique concerns,” said Ensign, whose Nevada roots go back to when his great-grandparents settled in the towns of Ruth and McGill nearly 100 years ago.  “I want to continue working together to find the best and most effective solutions for communities across Nevada.”

Posted by: Tory Mazzola

The last few days have been filled with school visits, discussions at senior centers, tours of local companies, and speaking engagements with community clubs such as the Kiwanis and Rotary.  I must have met and talked to more than 1,500 Nevadans from Reno to Las Vegas in the past three days.  This is truly one of the best parts of being your United States Senator — traveling the state to hear what’s important to you, talking about Nevada issues such as mining, gaming and water resources, and working together to find effective solutions.

It has been an honor representing you in the United States Senate for the past six years, and I’m proud of what we accomplished for our state.  I want to continue fighting for you and our shared Nevada values in the United States Senate because together we can keep Nevada strong.

Posted by: John Ensign

Team Ensign is continuing the campaign and hitting the road to travel around Nevada and talk with voters about the issues important to them.  The campaign team will be in Pahrump on Saturday for the Fall Festival signing up volunteers and meeting with supporters.  For more information contact me, Jen, at 702-880-1000. 

Later that evening we’ll be supporting Nevada’s college football teams when the University of Nevada, Reno plays the University of Nevada, Las Vegas for bragging rights.  Assuming the Senate adjourns before the weekend, Senator Ensign is hoping to attend both events if there is enough time for him to travel back from D.C.  Just this week in the Senate he fought to secure $406 million for the veterans’ hospital and medical center in Las Vegas — another example of Senator Ensign’s commitment to keeping Nevada strong.

They’ll be more events in the weeks ahead, including visits to Reno, Mesquite, Ely, Elko, Caliente, Pioche, Wendover, Wells, and many more.  Stay up-to-date by checking this website daily so you don’t miss a chance to help Team Ensign keep Nevada strong!

Posted by: Jen Harrington

At our Reno office we’ve been humbled by the outpouring of support received from everyone throughout Washoe County and the Carson Valley.  Each day new volunteers join our efforts and are gracious enough to donate their time.  From the farmer who drives in every week after making calls in Fallon, to the teacher who walks her neighborhood in Elko, to the retiree who put up signs across Ely, we want you to know that your efforts are greatly appreciated.

On Saturday, September 30th at 9:30 a.m., we are having our Super Saturday Neighborhood Walk.  We will provide coffee, juice, and donuts.  For more information on the walk or to volunteer, please call (775) 770-2006.  Or drop by our office to sign up and help keep Nevada strong!  There’s plenty of volunteer work to do so come by our office at 3652 South Virginia Street in Reno.

Posted by: Joe Catania

The latest numbers on state-wide employment were released today and Nevada’s economy remains strong.  When you consider growth — the percentage of jobs gained — Nevada leads the country at 5.3 percent.

“Nevada’s great workforce and business-friendly environment has encouraged local industries to grow and attracted new companies to our state,” said Ensign, who owned and operated a small business in Las Vegas.  “I am proud to see Nevada leading the nation in job growth, and if we can continue enacting pro-growth policies in Washington, such as lowering your taxes and demonstrating fiscal restraint, I know we can keep Nevada strong.”

Nevada’s unemployment rate for August is 4.2 percent, which is lower than the national rate of 4.7 percent.

Senator Ensign, a veterinarian by profession who opened the first 24-hour clinic in Nevada, understands that by keeping taxes low and reducing burdensome and duplicative regulations, we can encourage small businesses to grow.

Posted by: Tory Mazzola

Last night we held two volunteer meetings — one for southern Nevada and one for northern Nevada.  Even with short notice (only two days!), in Las Vegas alone more than 50 Team Ensign supporters came out to talk about the ways they can help our campaign from now until November.  And in northern Nevada about 35 volunteers joined the discussion.

After both meetings sign-up sheets started piling up with people offering time to make phone calls, walk their neighborhood and help in the office.  From Reno to Las Vegas to Elko people are getting excited to join Team Ensign so we can keep Nevada strong!

If you would like to volunteer or would like a yard sign for your home or business please contact us through the information listed below:

Joe Catania at our Reno Campaign Headquarters at 3652 S. Virginia Street, Suite C8 or by phone at 775-770-2006.

Mike Clement at our Las Vegas Campaign Headquarters at 313 Pilot Road, Suite B or by phone at 702-269-5479.

Email: info@johnensign.org

Posted by: Tory Mazzola

Eight Towns, Four Days, More Than 2,500 Supporters Turn Out

We just returned yesterday from our Labor Day Tour and the excitement was incredible.  Thank you to all of our volunteers who opened our Campaign Headquarters in Reno and who helped put together all of the events in Minden, Carson City, Ely, Elko, Battle Mountain, Winnemucca and Fallon.  Your support will keep Nevada strong!

The opening of our Campaign Headquarters in Reno attracted nearly 200 supporters.  During the event I spent time talking with voters about the issues important to them in Reno and Northern Nevada.  Many of the supporters left with ”Ensign for Senate” yardsigns after volunteering to make phone calls and knock on doors.

The grand opening wasn’t the only success during the tour.  In fact, it was just the beginning.  In Minden our campaign hosted a breakfast, and in Carson City we held a box-lunch rally.  Both of these events attracted more than 50 people.

Our team had a chance to tour two local businesses — GE Energy and Harley Davidson.  One of the issues I have taken a lead on in the United States Senate is high-tech policy, and while at GE I had a chance to dive into a policy discussion with General Manager Brian Palmer.  After the tour Palmer said, “We were excited to have the opportunity to share with Senator Ensign what we do here in Minden…I think the kind of work we do and the services we provide resonated with the Senator, especially given his platform and involvement in high-tech, innovation and competitiveness at the federal level.”

After these tours, we traveled to Ely where more than 250 supporters turned out to welcome us.  The volunteers — especially Jerilyn Clayton – in Ely exceeded all expectations by putting together a spectacular BBQ at the Train Depot with live music, a short (Western style) skit, and did I mention the crowd of 250?  I delivered informal remarks to the group thanking them for coming out and for their continued support.  I told them, ”This is what is great about campaigning in Nevada — meeting with people, talking to people and learning how we can make a difference together.”

In Elko we hosted a breakfast in front of the Convention Center with about 100 people and walked in the Labor Day parade.  During the parade supporters lined the streets with blue and yellow “Ensign for Senate” stickers showing their support to keep Nevada strong.

We rounded out the tour with stops in Battle Mountain, Winnemucca and Fallon.  An Ensign for Senate campaign reception in Winnemucca attracted more than 125 area residents.  (A special thanks to Bob and Martha Dolan for hosting this in their beautiful home overlooking the mountains.)  We spent Saturday afternoon at the Hearts O’ Gold Cantaloupe Festival in Fallon enjoying live music and entertainment.

In total, our Labor Day tour turned out more than 2,500 supporters in only four days.  Again, a special thanks to all of the volunteers who made this tour possible and an overwhelming success.

Posted by: John Ensign

We’re excited to open our new office this afternoon in Reno. We have had hundreds of calls from friends and supporters who have been eagerly awaiting this grand opening. Joe Cantania, Sasha Farahi, and Bill Ferguson have done a great job getting ready for this event. Below is the news release by the campaign announcing this event and many more campaign events for the Labor Day weekend. Please come out and join Senator Ensign and show your support for a man that has worked hard to keep Nevada strong!

Las Vegas, NV - Senator John Ensign will kick-off a Labor Day tour of Northern and Rural Nevada this Wednesday, August 30, in Reno.  The Senator’s schedule includes meetings with local officials, radio appearances and campaign rallies with supporters in Reno, Minden, Carson City, Ely, Elko, Battle Mountain, Winnemucca and Fallon.

“Traveling through the state to meet with people, to hear about their lives, and to discuss how we can keep Nevada strong locally and competitive nationally is one of the best parts of this job,” said Ensign, who has represented Nevadans in the United States Senate since 2000.

The Labor Day tour begins in Reno to meet with the Asian American Coalition and the Sportsman’s Coalition — a group committed to preserving Second Amendment rights — before the grand opening of Senator Ensign’s campaign office in Reno.  After the Wednesday rally at the Reno office, Senator Ensign will head to Minden where he will tour the Bentley Nevada GE Energy Plant — which employs more than 800 area residents and supplies a vast array of technical instruments designed to measure and collect data on machinery.  During the tour, the Senator will continue discussions about how to keep American manufacturers here and competitive in a global market.

Throughout this tour Senator Ensign has radio interviews scheduled with local stations to discuss a broad range of issues important to Nevada and America’s future.  In Carson City, the Senator will tour the Harley Davidson facility.  Following this tour, Senator Ensign will be stopping at GOP Headquarters in Carson City for a campagin rally and to meet with local county commissioners.

The remainder of the afternoon will be spent in Ely appearing on local radio stations and attending a campaign rally at the Train Depot.  The campaign rally will include a BBQ where supporters will have a chance to talk one-on-one with Senator Ensign while enjoying dinner.

Later Thursday evening Senator Ensign will travel to Elko for an Ensign for Senate breakfast Friday morning and to attend Elko’s Labor Day Parade.

Before rounding out the Labor Day tour, Senator Ensign will stop-off in Battle Mountain, Winnemucca and Fallon from Friday evening through Saturday.  Ensign is scheduled to appear at the Tri-County Fair and Stampede in Winnemucca and attend the Hearts O’ Gold Cantaloupe Festival in Fallon.

Please keep in mind that this schedule is subject to change.  For more information please contact Tory Mazzola at 702-880-1000.

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In little over two months Nevadans will be going to the polls for the General Election. We’ve received thousands of calls from people who want to get involved - everything from volunteering and wanting yards signs. Well now’s the time to get into high gear! Ensign Field Staff is in the process of filling phone bank and walk shifts throughout the entire state. Yard signs will be arriving in less than two weeks.

Next week, Senator Ensign and Team Ensign will be traveling on a rural tour that will include parades, fairs, and campaign rallies. We will be kicking off the tour in Reno with a Grand Opening of our Northern Nevada Campaign Office. The Labor Day Tour schedule will be released very soon so that all of you can come out and join us.