Trent Baldwin thought it was about time to get involved in government. So, the native Nevadan and Sparks resident decided to declare his candidacy for State Assembly, District 30.

"There are a lot of issues that have really affected me and my family over the years and it is time to get involved," Baldwin said. "I am very passionate about Nevada and preserving our Nevada values."

Baldwin, 30, grew up in Yerington, Nev., moving to Carson City for his senior year of high school. After graduating from Carson High School, Baldwin pursued his Bachelor's Degree in civil engineering at the University of Nevada, Reno, and later earned his Master's Degree in business administration. He now works as an engineering and construction project manager for the Reno-Tahoe Airport Authority.

Baldwin said his work with various businesses has taught him lessons about how he believes government should handle its financial resources and how he would approach fiscal legislation if he were elected to the Assembly seat.

"I think the state has the same responsibility with the budget as any small business," Baldwin said. "You have your objectives and your business goals and you have limited resources to do those things. So you have to use those resources as smart and effectively as you can."

Commenting on Gov. Gibbon's approach to budget shortfalls, Baldwin, a staunch Republican, said that he admires the governor for keeping his campaign promise to not raise taxes. Despite the budget crunch, Baldwin believes that Gibbons should continue to keep his word.

"Taxes are inevitable," Baldwin said. "But right now Nevada families are having to pay higher taxes and more for food. There are a lot of increasing expenses of Nevada families.... The economy is soft and this is not the time to raise taxes."

While at the university, Baldwin took the first step toward forming his own family when he met and married his wife, Lori, now a local school teacher. Baldwin said that her example, and the feedback he has received from friends in the Washoe County School District, has made him very passionate about education.

"My wife is an educator and I have a lot of friends who are educators," Baldwin said. "As I listen to them I hear about lots of things that can be done to improve education. They are on the front lines and they know what is going on. And as a candidate I will listen to the teachers and I will listen to the unions and find out what they need and try to give them the resources to do their job the best they can."

Baldwin, who has three foster children under the age of five, said he wants education to be the state's top budget priority. As he runs for office, his main concerns center around family issues.

In his preliminary campaign materials, Baldwin said, "Government should promote measures to strengthen and support families. Men are responsible for providing the necessities of life and protection for their families. Marriage should be between a man and a woman."

As Baldwin prepares to battle Democratic incumbent Debbie Smith for the Assembly seat, he says that his plan of attack will be focused on grassroots politics.

"I am not really here to push a specific platform," Baldwin said. "But I feel that the people of this district need someone who will listen to them. I have been going out, knocking on doors and listening to the issues that they are concerned about. Grassroots — That's Nevada politics."

Baldwin is the founder and past president of the American Society of Civil Engineers, treasurer for the northern Nevada chapter of the Boy Scouts of America, a member of the American Association of Airport Executives, Nevada State Republican Central Committee, Washoe County Republican Central Committee, Nevada Republican Assembly, Economic Development Authority of Western Nevada and Families Supporting Adoption.

Debbie Smith is a 21-year resident of Assembly District 30. Smith was elected to the Nevada Legislature in 2000 and has served as president of the Nevada Parent Teacher Association, Chair of Nevada's Council to Establish Academic Standards as well as on the Government Affairs, Education, Health and Human Services and Transportation Committees.

Assembly District 30 includes areas of Sparks east of U.S. 395, north of Interstate 80 and east of Pyramid Highway, extending north to Lemmon Valley and Sun Valley.