Where we live. How we think.
VOTE TAHOE BLUE
North Tahoe Democrats September Monthly Gathering will be Thursday, 10 at 5:30 - 8:00 PM.
Meet our candidates for Federal, State and Judicial offices, and learn more about Ballot Question 6 on reproductive rights.
Our guest seakers will be Teresa Benitez-Thompson for US Congress, Tya Mathis-Coleman for NV Treasurer, Alex Morey 2nd Judicial District Court, and Sara Zeitoun with Reproductive Freedom for All. Bring your questions and take this opportunity to learn more about their views on serving our state.
In-person attendance is at the Incline Village Library located at 845 Alder Ave. and Zoom online. Please register for the Zoom link below.
Teresa Benitez-Thompson, candidate for Congressional District 2
Teresa Benitez-Thompson, our candidate for Congressional District 2, began her professional career as a social worker, arranging adoptive families for special needs children, including a decade of work supporting terminally ill patients. Advocating for others drove her to run for state assembly in 2010; where she spent 12 years working on issues that matter to families, seniors, workers, and the Northern Nevada region as a whole. She served multiple terms as Majority Leader of the assembly.
After being termed out of the legislature, Teresa served as Chief of Staff to Attorney General Aaron Ford. In this position, she used her skills in public policy and government to help fight for Nevadans’ legal protections, including the work combating the Trump Administration’s policies this last year. Teresa is running for Congress now that we have a chance to make a change to get real representation for Northern Nevada, and to fight for families and affordability.
Teresa earned her BA from the University of Nevada, Reno and her MA in Social Work from the University of Michigan. She lives in old Southwest Reno with her husband and four children, dogs and birds. More information here.
Tya Mathis-Coleman, candidate for State Treasurer
Tya Mathis-Coleman, candidate for State Treasurer, is a lifelong Nevadan, educator, and public servant with a career dedicated to expanding opportunity for Nevada families. She currently serves as Nevada’s Deputy Treasurer for College Savings, where she oversees the state’s 529 college savings plans, prepaid tuition, financial literacy initiatives, and the Governor Guinn Millennium Scholarship. In this role, she has led efforts to expand access to college savings, strengthen financial education, and modernize how families plan, save, and pay for higher education.
Before joining the Treasurer’s Office, Tya built her career in education, student success, and nonprofit leadership. Her professional background includes leadership roles in higher education focused on student access, academic success, and community engagement, where she worked to connect students and families with the tools they needed to succeed. That work shaped her commitment to making public systems more accessible, practical, and responsive to the people they serve.
A proud graduate of the Clark County School District, Tya earned her Bachelor’s degree from the University of Nevada, Reno and both her Master’s and Ph.D. from the University of Nevada, Las Vegas. Her career has been defined by a simple belief: when Nevada families have access to the right tools and opportunities, they can build stronger futures. More information here.
Judge Alex Morey, incumbent candidate for the Second Judicial District, Dept 13
Judge Alex Morey, incumbent candidate for the Second Judicial District, Dept 13, has served Northern Nevada families as a lawyer and now judge for nearly 20 years. A graduate of Gonzaga University and Lewis and Clark Law School, Judge Morey began his journey in Northern Nevada as an intern for Judge Valerie Cooke and later clerked for Judge Deborah Schumacher. He has made Reno his home, where he and his wife, Dawn, are raising their family.
During his time in practice, Judge Morey has worked to strengthen Nevada’s legal system. He served on the committee that modernized the Washoe District Court Rules and was elected three times to the Family Law Executive Council of the State Bar of Nevada, leaving his position when appointed as a judge. He served as Secretary for the Council and Chair of the Family Law Specialization Board, which recognizes outstanding practitioners in family law.
Before his appointment to the bench, he was an instructor for the University of Nevada, Reno paralegal certificate program and remains active in continuing legal education. Now, as a judge on the Second Judicial District Court, Department 13, Family Division, Judge Morey continues to bring his extensive experience, sound judgment, and unwavering commitment to ensuring dignity and respect for all. More information here.
Sara Zeitoun, Reno Organizer for Reproductive Freedom for All
Sara Zeitoun will brief us on State Ballot Question 6, the Right to Abortion Initiative. She is Reno Organizer for Reproductive Freedom for All. Reproductive Freedom For All state chapters build grassroots and political power to engage and mobilize communities, lobby state lawmakers, and advocate for reproductive freedom. In Nevada, they are expanding reproductive freedom and defending access to abortion and other forms of reproductive health care in the southwest.
Email northtahoedems.org for more information!
North Tahoe Democrats Board Elections were held at our May 8th meeting.
Elected North Tahoe Dems board:
Chair: Mark Sasway
Vice-Chair Outreach: Kathie Julian
Interim Vice-Chair At Large: Keven Hunt
Treasurer: Chris King
Interim Secretary: Debbie Nicholas
