RENO — With the primary election quickly approaching June 8, Nevada Democratic candidates and supporters gathered on Saturday at Depaoli Middle School to hold their party’s Washoe County caucus. New candidates and incumbents described their platforms and voters spoke directly to their current and potential representatives. 

“I think the question that’s on everyone’s mind is the state budget,” Sparks resident Jordan Tourini said.  “Everyone’s looking for more accountability when it comes to wasteful spending in the state and I think that what we should be looking at even more than spending is different ways to bring in more money to the state.”

Tourini, who wore stickers in support of Sparks representatives Assembly-woman Debbie Smith and City Councilwoman Julia Ratti, said revenue sources like mining should be taxed at higher rates.

“We’re trying to get something on this ballot to revise the state constitution so that mining is taxed on its net rather than gross profits,” Tourini said. “The law hasn’t changed since 1865, and it’s not logical to keep it as it is any more considering the changes this state has undergone.”

Many candidates said that keeping Democrats in office was important for them to maintain a balance of power between the two parties in the Assembly.

“The Republican party has been the party of ‘no,’” U.S. Sen. Harry Reid said during a brief appearance Saturday to rally support for his own re-election campaign. “It’s important that we keep the most qualified people in these constitutional offices.”

In spite of Republican opposition, Reid described the recent passing of the health care reform bill “one of our (Democrats’) best accomplishments.”

Also concerned with the state of lost revenue in Nevada, Washoe County clerk candidate Margaret Flint said that looking to tourism brought in by the wedding industry is one way to generate more revenue.

“(Marriage) licenses bring in earmarked funds to the state and weddings bring in people who eat at our restaurants, gamble in our casinos and shop at our stores,” she said.

Attorney General Catherine Cortez Masto said public safety is her primary concern.

“Even though overall crime is down, there’s still so much to do,” Masto said.  “Day in and day out, I look for ways to better protect our senior citizens, children and fight against domestic violence.”

Reno resident Elysia Varnum said Masto’s stance on crime spoke to her as a mother.

“I have two daughters, 6 and 8, and I’ve noticed how dangerous our neighborhood has gotten recently,” Varnum said.  “The consequences of an economic downturn go beyond job loss.  When people are out on the streets and are desperate, they might be more willing to resort to things like stealing to stay afloat.”

Sen. Reid addressed increases in fraud that have taken place in light of the recession.

“I’ve written legislation to crack down on fraud, especially identity theft and fraud in regard to mortgage companies,” Reid said.