Election 2024 guide: Here are the candidates for University of Nevada Regent District 9

Bret Delaire and Gary Johnson are challenging incumbent Carol Del Carlo to represent District 9 on the Nevada System of Higher Education's Board of Regents.

The board is the governing body over the state's public colleges, including the University of Nevada, Reno and Truckee Meadows Community College. It is a nonpartisan seat.

Del Carlo won a special election in 2016 to replace a trustee for the remaining two years of the term, then won a six-year term in 2018. In 2023, the state Legislature reduced the Regents' term length to four years.

If elected, it would be the first time in public office for Delaire or Johnson.

Where is WCSD District 9? The district includes Washoe, Carson City, Churchill, Douglas, Lander, Lyon, Mineral and Storey counties.

Who moves ahead in the general election? The top two vote-getters move forward to the general election unless a candidate receives more than 50 percent of primary votes, which would make that candidate an automatic winner.

Bret Delaire

• Age: 49
• Education: Georgetown University, bachelor’s degree in finance, 1997
• Occupation: Business owner
• Political experience: none
• Political affiliation: Republican
• Family: confidential
• Money raised: $0 according to Nevada Secretary of State as of April 15
• Biggest donors: Delaire said all donations since April 15 were under $100.

Carol L. Del Carlo

• Age: 72
• Education: Associate of arts in fashion trades from UNR, 1972; bachelor's in business administration, University of Maryland, Overseas Division (Germany), 1981; master's in human resources management, Chapman College,1987
• Occupation: Retired
• Political experience: Elected to the Board of Regents in 2016 and 2018.
• Political affiliation: Republican
• Family: Married to George Del Carlo for almost 53 years
• Money raised: $27,500
• Biggest donors: Carl Giudici, Del Carlo’s brother, and Mike Brooks, Del Carlo’s cousin

Gary Johnson

• Age: 73
• Education: Associate of arts in political science; bachelor's in criminal justice; master's in quality systems management
• Occupation: Realtor. Retired from Air Force and Coast Guard Reserve. Former law enforcement in Placer County Sheriff's Department and State of California
• Political experience: None
• Political affiliation: Republican
• Family: Married, two children and five grandchildren
• Money raised: $0
• Biggest donors: Self-funding his campaign

Why are you running to be a Nevada System of Higher Education trustee?

Delaire: My business background in finance and accounting makes me a unique member of the board to help balance their budget. For example, financial statement analysis can be performed to highlight any inefficiencies. Common sense business experience can help the board do more with less. Program reviews can also be performed to make the interests of the students the top priority.

Del Carlo: I am running for my final term to continue developing and supporting our workforce by increasing access to higher education for all Nevadans, improve student success by increasing graduation rates, closing the achievement gap for underserved populations, and promoting research to develop solutions to the critical issues facing the 21st century.

Johnson: I have served on school boards for 20 years in public education. I enjoy working with students and would be excited to work with college-level students. When I worked in the K-12 District, I was very proactive in speaking with students and seeing what their concerns/complaints were about the school district. If elected to the Board of Regents, I will continue that interaction with the college students. I want to ensure that students are in a safe and healthy environment and are receiving a top-level education and succeed in their future employment opportunities. I believe with my prior education and work experience I am well suited for this position.

What do you want to accomplish?

Delaire: I would like to use achievement tests to help guide students into careers that match their abilities and the needs of the community. Trade programs should reflect the demands of local employers and encourage small business ownership.

Del Carlo: I want to help secure a new and equitable funding formula at the 2025 legislative session, and I currently serve on the Chancellor’s ad hoc committee on higher education funding.

Along with my colleagues, I want to hire a permanent chancellor and hire new presidents at two of our community colleges whose presidents are retiring in 2024 and 2025.

At the 2025 legislative session, I want to advocate for funding graduate medical education so Nevada can establish more residencies and keep more doctors from our two medical schools in Nevada. I also want to advocate to fund (cost of living wage increases) at 80% which is the same as every other state agency and correct the funding error that was made in 2019 and forward.

Johnson: I will gain a thorough understanding of the school budget to see where the money is spent. When a student graduates from college I want to hear from them (to hear if) they received a happy experience at the college and received an outstanding education experience from the college and that they were proud to attend the college.

What do you think could be done better or differently by the state’s public colleges and universities?

Delaire: During COVID-19, the current Board of Regents, including the District 9 incumbent running for re-election, voted in favor of vaccine mandates for all our Nevada colleges students. College-age students were very low risk for complications of COVID-19, and unfortunately had a very high rate of myocarditis.

College age students are adults and should have been allowed to make their own decisions regarding the MRNA COVID-19 vaccine.

Other things I would do differently: expand the type and number of trade programs and strive to hire a chancellor that encourages students to reach their God-given potential.

Del Carlo: With adequate and appropriate state support, fund summer school so students can graduate and enter the workforce earlier and fund all unfunded mandates for tuition waivers.

Johnson: There is always room for improvement at any educational program. I plan on doing a detailed analysis of the program to see what can be done better and recommend to my board members my recommendations and suggestions for improvement.

This article originally appeared on Reno Gazette Journal: Election 2024 guide: Here are the candidates for University of Nevada Regent District 9