LAS VEGAS (FOX5) — Nevadans are preparing to vote this fall as campaign activity increases among candidates.
Democratic gubernatorial candidate Aaron Ford met with a small business in East Las Vegas earlier this week to discuss challenges the business is facing. Former Secretary of Transportation Pete Buttigieg joined him.
The business, La Flor Michoacan ice cream, is owned by Julio Cesar Chavez’s father.
FOX5’s Victoria Saha spoke with Buttigieg about the visit.
Small business costs
Asked why it was important to visit a small business and learn about the struggles owners face, Buttigieg said he heard directly from the owners about rising costs.
“Well we heard directly from the owners of this business they talked about how their costs are higher from trumps tariffs they talked about customers are feeling pressure that makes it harder for them to come in and enjoy the ice cream and food here,” Buttigieg said.
Buttigieg said the owners told him they were uncertain whether they could have started their business in the current economy.
“The thing that really stuck with me is the owners saying they aren’t sure if they started in the economy today they aren’t sure if they would have been able to start this business in this economy that tells you things changed for the worse,” Buttigieg said.
Chavez and his father, the shop’s owner, said rising costs have put pressure on the business.
“Whatever goes up in price we try to keep it economical for our customers so they don’t feel too pressure,” Chavez said.
Chavez’s father said he has tried to limit price increases while keeping customers.
“Either you go not too high on prices temporary and you keep maintaining your customers,” he said.
Transportation priorities
Saha asked Buttigieg, who led the U.S. Department of Transportation, which infrastructure or transportation issues he views as most important to Nevadans.
“What I learned is we were working together to deliver transportation is how important it is for peoples lives. Whether it is getting that Maryland parkway BRT up and running or smaller things that are going to make streets safer people want and expect the transportation to make life a little easier,” Buttigieg said.
Buttigieg said transportation affordability is connected to broader affordability issues.
“And when you get it right it makes things more affordable too because people have more options. Right now transportation has become more unaffordable. Trumps Iran war has sent diesel to the highest level, gas the highest that’s what we have to think about that’s going to make life a little easier,” Buttigieg said.
Final pitch to voters
Asked for his final pitch to Nevada voters on state leadership, Buttigieg said affordability is a central issue.
“If you think everything is going a long just fine and it is great then maybe you are ok with the current leadership. Most Nevadans I have talked to say life has become unaffordable that is a direct result of trumps tariffs the war in Iran that has us all paying more for gas the war corporations get their way buying up housing that makes it unaffordable. It doesn’t have to be this way,” Buttigieg said.
Lombardo campaign responds
Gov. Joe Lombardo’s team sent a statement in response to a request for comment.
“Under Governor Lombardo’s leadership, Nevada created more than 100,000 jobs, generated over $6 billion in historic economic investment, leveraged more than $1 billion in investment for new attainable housing, retired the rainy day fund to a record high, and led the nation in job growth for 11 consecutive months – and we are just getting started. Aaron Ford is campaigning on an $18 billion tax-and-spend agenda and has spent more than 420 days outside of Nevada collecting a taxpayer-funded salary,” the statement said. “The contrast is simple: Governor Lombardo is fighting to lower costs and expand opportunities for Nevada families and Aaron Ford is trying to make life more unaffordable.”
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