Two Las Vegas City Council members kicked off their second terms Wednesday after winning re-election last month.
Councilwoman Francis Allen-Palenske was unopposed in June’s primaries while Councilwoman Nancy Brune won her three-way contest outright by getting more than 50 percent of the vote.
The two officials took their second oath of office at a City Council meeting during which Councilwoman Olivia Diaz was unanimously appointed mayor pro tem, the second-highest position in the council’s leadership structure.
“I can’t think of any two more talented, hardworking city council people than the two women that we’re honoring today,” Mayor Shelley Berkley said.
Allen-Palenske stepped up to the center of the dais with her family and a pair of staffers.
“I don’t view an unopposed election as a personal achievement,” she said after the ceremony. “I view it as a vote of confidence in the work we’ve accomplished together and a reminder of the responsibility that comes with serving the citizens of Las Vegas.”
She represents the city’s Ward 4, which includes parts of the northwest valley.
Allen-Palenske touted investments in parks and recreation facilities, advances in public safety and infrastructure and support for local businesses and community events.
“Every day, we’ve worked hard to make Ward 4 a place where families are proud to live,” she said.
Brune represents Ward 6 further north. She was reelected with 56.7 percent of the vote, out-polling Las Vegas Police Protective Association President Steve Grammas and David Marlon.
Getting anything less than 50 percent of the primary vote would have triggered a runoff election in November.
“Ward 6 voted for someone who shows up consistently,” Brune said. “It turns out ‘people over politics’ isn’t just a bumper sticker or a cute campaign slogan, it’s actually an electoral strategy, a long-term one, and one that actually is pretty effective.”
Highlighting the nonpartisan nature of the council, she said that trust for the political system can be rebuilt by simply filling potholes and being responsive to constituents.
The mayor pro tem position rotates among council members.
Diaz replaced Councilman Brian Knudsen, who had served as the No. 2 since December 2022.
One by one, the six other council members showered him with praise before the unanimous vote that affirmed Diaz’s appointment.
She said she would be as responsive as Knudsen.
“Thank you for the vote of confidence,” Diaz said. “I hope I don’t disappoint.”
The next swearing-in for the council is slated after the November general election, when voters decide who will be the next Ward 2 representative.
Councilwoman Kara Kelley agreed not to run for the seat after she was appointed to replace former Councilwoman Victoria Seaman, who left before her term ended after accepting a job with the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services.
The two top primary finishers in Ward 2, Luke McCarthy and Shannon Nordstrom, are in the running.
Contact Ricardo Torres-Cortez at rtorres@reviewjournal.com.
