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Shelley Berkley

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Shelley Berkley
Berkley in 2012
23rd Mayor of Las Vegas
Incumbent
Assumed office
December 4, 2024
Preceded byCarolyn Goodman
Member of the U.S. House of Representatives
from Nevada's 1st district
In office
January 3, 1999 – January 3, 2013
Preceded byJohn Ensign
Succeeded byDina Titus
Member of the Nevada Assembly
In office
January 1983 – January 1985
Personal details
Born (1951-01-20) January 20, 1951 (age 74)
New York City, New York, U.S.
Political partyDemocratic
SpouseLawrence Lehner (1999–present)
Children2
EducationUniversity of Nevada, Las Vegas (BA)
University of San Diego (JD)

Rochelle Berkley (née Levine; born January 20, 1951) is an American businesswoman, politician and attorney who has served as mayor of Las Vegas since 2024. She also previously served as the U.S. representative for Nevada's 1st congressional district from 1999 to 2013. In 2012, she was the unsuccessful Democratic Party nominee for U.S. Senate in Nevadam.[1] She is a member of the Democratic Party.[1] Berkley was elected mayor of Las Vegas in 2024, and took office on December 4, 2024.

Prior to serving in the U.S. House of Representatives, Berkley spent one term as a member of the Nevada Assembly (1983–1985) and eight years on the Nevada University and Community College System Board of Regents (1990–1998). From 2014 until launching her mayoral campaign in 2023, Berkley held leadership roles at both the Nevada campus and the California campus of the Touro University System.

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Berkley was born Rochelle Levine in New York City, the daughter of Estelle (née Colonomos – see Kalonymus) and George Levine. Her paternal grandparents were Russian Jews and her mother's family were Sephardic Jews from Ottoman-era Thessaloniki, now in Macedonia, northern Greece.[2]

Berkley moved with her family to Las Vegas, Nevada in 1964[3] when she was a junior high school student, attending Fremont Junior High and Valley High School. After completing high school, she became the first member of her family to attend college when she enrolled as an undergraduate at the University of Nevada, Las Vegas.[1] She became a member of Delta Zeta sorority. Elected student body president of the Consolidated Students of the University of Nevada, Las Vegas her senior year, Shelley graduated with honors in 1972, earning a B.A. in political science.[1]

After obtaining her J.D. degree in 1976 from the University of San Diego School of Law, Shelley returned to Las Vegas and began her professional career.[1] Berkley practiced law for several years, mainly as a member of the legal counsel for several Las Vegas casinos. She also served as the national director for the American Hotel-Motel Association.

Early political career

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Nevada Assembly (1982–84)

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Berkley served in the Nevada Assembly from 1982 to 1984 and was involved in civic affairs locally.[4]

Nevada University and Community College System Board of Regents (1990–1998)

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Berkley served on the Nevada University and Community College System Board of Regents from 1990 to 1998. During her tenure, she was appointed to serve as the board's vice chair.[1][5]

U.S. House of Representatives (1999–2013)

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Berkley c. 2004

Berkley represented Nevada's 1st congressional district from 1999 to 2013, serving seven terms as a member of the U.S. House of Representatives.[1] The district represented most of the city of Las Vegas as well as the Las Vegas Strip and the city of North Las Vegas. She was the second woman elected to Congress from Nevada (after only Barbara Vucanovich), the first to do so as a Democratic Party nominee, as well as the first woman elected to represent the 1st district.[citation needed]

In Congress, Berkley was a member of the New Democrat Coalition.[5] She views her top priorities as affordable health care coverage for all Americans, veteran's rights and alternative energy.[6] Berkley is also strongly opposed to the building of a nuclear waste repository in Yucca Mountain, Nevada.[7]

Campaigns

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In 1996, U.S. Congressman John Ensign won re-election in Nevada's 1st congressional district with 50.1% of the vote, a 6.6% margin over Bob Coffin, the Democratic candidate.[8] The day after, Berkley filed papers to run in the district. She raised $206,000 in the first six months and $410,000 in the next six months. Berkley was Democrats' dream candidate,[9] as she easily won the primary with 81.5% of the vote.[10] Ensign decided to retire in order to run against U.S. Senator Harry Reid in the very close and competitive 1998 senate election. In the general election, she defeated Republican Don Chairez, a District Court Judge in Clark County[11] with 49.2% of the vote.[12]

In 2000, she won re-election with 51.7% against State Senator Jon Porter.[13] In 2002, she defeated Republican Las Vegas City Councilwoman Lynette Boggs with 53.7%.[14]

Berkley announced in June 2012 that she would turn over all $11,900 in campaign contributions from indicted lobbyist Harvey Whittemore to the U.S. Treasury. Whittemore was charged with violating campaign finance laws and misleading law enforcement. Before pledging to give up the contributions from Whittemore, Berkley said that she was holding his contributions in escrow while awaiting the outcome of the investigation against him.[15]

As a 6th term congresswoman, Berkley was endorsed by a number of advocacy groups. The themes of some groups endorsing Berkley included education, environmental protections, and gender equality in politics. Berkley received endorsements from groups such as The National Education Association, The Sierra Club and The National Women's Political Caucus.[16]

Committee assignments

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Tenure and votes

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In 2011, Berkley voted for the National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2012 as part of a controversial provision that allows the government and the military to indefinitely detain American citizens and others without trial.[17]

Berkley was given various scores from a variety of advocacy groups dedicated to various topics (ranging from abortion issues, agriculture, criminal issues, animal rights, budget and taxes and foreign aid). NARAL Pro-Choice America gave Berkley a 100% in 2010, while the National Right to Life Committee gave her a 0% rating.[18][19] The American Farm Bureau Federation gave Berkley a 33% rating in 2010 the topic of agriculture, while the National Farm Workers Union gave Berkley a 100% rating. Other interest groups Berkley has received High ratings from Citizens United for Rehabilitation of Errants, and Defenders of Wildlife Fund. Groups that Berkley has received poor ratings from include the National Taxpayers Union and Peace Action.[20]

Domestic matters

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Berkley speaking at the Red Rock Canyon Visitors Center Grand opening

On October 3, 2008, Berkley voted for the Emergency Economic Stabilization Act of 2008, which created the Troubled Asset Relief Program (TARP) that bailed out Wall Street banks.[21][22] On June 26, 2009, Berkley voted for the American Clean Energy and Security Act, which would have implemented a cap-and-trade system similar to the regulations proposed by the Reagan administration[23] in the 1980s, then known as "emissions trading."[24] Berkley voted for the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act of 2010.[25][26][27]

Foreign policy

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Berkley is a supporter of Israel and is a member of the pro-Israel group American Israel Public Affairs Committee.[28] On October 10, 2002, Berkley was among the 81 House Democrats who voted in favor of authorizing the invasion of Iraq.[29]

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On September 5, 2011, a New York Times exposé detailed the actions that Berkley took as a member of Congress that she and her husband financially benefited from.[30] The Times noted that, "Ms. Berkley's actions were among a series over the last five years in which she pushed legislation or twisted the arms of federal regulators to pursue an agenda that is aligned with the business interests of her husband, Dr. Larry Lehrner."

On September 19, 2011, the ethics watchdog Citizens for Responsibility and Ethics in Washington (CREW) released their annual Most Corrupt Members of Congress report.[31] The report listed Berkley in the "Dishonorable Mention" category.[32][33] Berkley was named in CREW's Most Corrupt Members of Congress report for the second year in a row in 2012.[34]

On July 9, 2012, the United States House Committee on Ethics voted unanimously to form an investigative subcommittee to see whether Berkley used her official position to advocate for policy that benefited her family's financial situation.[35] More specifically, Berkley is accused of pushing healthcare legislation that would benefit her husband's medical practice. Berkley was also blamed for her efforts to block the closure of a kidney transplant center where her husband was employed.[36]

In 1996 and 1997, while working as a government affairs adviser for Las Vegas Sands, during the construction of The Venetian Berkley advised her employer to make campaign contributions to two Clark County Commissioners and two Clark County judges to secure their approval for the new hotel.[37] Berkley also suggested to her employer, the option of hiring an uncle of County Commissioner Erin Kenny and to grant a daiquiri concession to commission chairwoman Yvonne Atkinson Gates.[37] Berkley also advised making campaign contributions to the two judges because they "tend to help those who helped them."[38]

2012 U.S. Senate campaign

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Main article: 2012 United States Senate election in Nevada

Berkley announced that she would run for the United States Senate in April 2011 to succeed John Ensign, who resigned amidst an ethics scandal.[39] She secured the Democratic nomination in the June primary and faced incumbent gubernatorial-appointed senator Dean Heller in the November general election.[40] She narrowly lost the election.[41]

By July 2012, Berkley had raised $4 million in contributions for her campaign to unseat the Heller, whileHeller had raised $4.4 million.[42]

Touro University roles (2014–2023)

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In 2014, Berkley was hired as CEO and senior provost for both the Nevada campus and the California campus of the Touro College and University System. She was later promoted to senior vice president of these two campuses.[43] She retired from her positions in 2023 after launching her candidacy in the 2024 Las Vegas mayoral election.[44] Touro University System

Las Vegas mayoralty (2024–present)

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Berkley ran for mayor of Las Vegas in 2024. She announced her plans to run for the office in January 2023.[45] Berkley placed first in the initial round of the nonpartsian election (held in June 2024), receiving 35.69% of the vote. Victoria Seaman received 18.93%, Cedric Crear received 18.93%, with the remaining 6.45% of the vote divided between eleven other candidates.[46] Since no candidate received a majority, a runoff was held in which Berkley faced Seaman (a Republican who was an incumbent member of the Las Vegas City Council and a former one-term Nevada Assembly member[47] Berkley won the November runoff,[48] receiving 53.2% of the vote.[49] She was sworn-in as mayor on December 4.[3]

Personal life

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In March 1999, Berkley married Dr. Lawrence Lehrner, a practicing nephrologist in Las Vegas.[50] Both Berkley and Lehrner have two children from prior marriages.[50] Lehrner seldom campaigns with Berkley. Berkley has said says about her husband, "He works about 12 hours a day, seven days a week. I call him a doctor's doctor." Lehrner's medical practice has received attention during the campaign due to the House Ethics Committee's investigation into Berkley's efforts to save a kidney transplant center in which her husband has a financial interest. Laura Meyers of the Las Vegas Review-Journal wrote, "Having Lehrner on the campaign trail with Berkley could remind voters of the ethics investigation—expose him to uncomfortable questions."[51]

See also

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References

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  1. ^ a b c d e f g "BERKLEY, Shelley, (1951 – )". Biographical Directory of the United States Congress. United States Congress. Retrieved September 22, 2011.
  2. ^ Stone, K.F. (2010). The Jews of Capitol Hill: A Compendium of Jewish Congressional Members. Scarecrow Press. p. 553. ISBN 9780810877382. Retrieved September 13, 2015.
  3. ^ a b Bleakley, Caroline (December 4, 2024). "Las Vegas Mayor Shelley Berkley sworn into office; envisions future of prosperity for the city". KLAS. Retrieved December 4, 2024.
  4. ^ "Nevada Legislators 1861–2011" (PDF). Research Division Legislative Counsel Bureau of the Nevada Legislature. April 2011. Retrieved September 22, 2011.
  5. ^ a b "Representative Shelley Berkley (NV)". Project Vote Smart. Archived from the original on November 2, 2011. Retrieved September 22, 2011.
  6. ^ "New Dems Bolster Influence by Securing Key Committee Slots". New Democratic Coalition. Archived from the original on March 2, 2013. Retrieved November 16, 2013.
  7. ^ "Berkley Alarmed By Renewed Republican Effort To Revive Yucca Mountain". Berkley.house.gov. November 30, 2010. Archived from the original on April 15, 2012. Retrieved February 24, 2012.
  8. ^ "NV District 1 Race – Nov 05, 1996". Our Campaigns. Retrieved February 24, 2012.
  9. ^ Martinez, Gebe (January 20, 1998). "Parties Try to Field "Dream Candidates" in '98 Political Sleepwalks". The Washington Post. Retrieved February 24, 2012.
  10. ^ "NV District 1 – D Primary Race – Sep 01, 1998". Our Campaigns. Retrieved February 24, 2012.
  11. ^ "Candidate – Don Chairez". Our Campaigns. Retrieved February 24, 2012.
  12. ^ "NV District 1 Race – Nov 03, 1998". Our Campaigns. Retrieved February 24, 2012.
  13. ^ "NV District 1 Race – Nov 07, 2000". Our Campaigns. Retrieved February 24, 2012.
  14. ^ "NV District 1 Race – Nov 05, 2002". Our Campaigns. Retrieved February 24, 2012.
  15. ^ Ray Hagar (June 7, 2012). "Berkley says she will get rid of all Whittemore campaign contributions". Reno Gazette-Journal.
  16. ^ "Shelley Berkley". Project Vote Smart. Archived from the original on November 16, 2018. Retrieved February 24, 2012.
  17. ^ "NDAA Bill: How Did Your Congress Member Vote?". International Business Times. Archived from the original on November 10, 2012. Retrieved September 13, 2015.
  18. ^ "NARAL Pro-Choice America Rating". Project Vote Smart. Retrieved February 24, 2012.
  19. ^ "National Right to Life Committee Rating". Project Vote Smart. Archived from the original on December 28, 2011. Retrieved February 24, 2012.
  20. ^ "Shelley Berkley – Ratings and Endorsements". Project Vote Smart. Archived from the original on November 16, 2018. Retrieved February 24, 2012.
  21. ^ "Final Vote Results For Roll Call 681". Clerk of the United States House of Representatives. October 3, 2008. Retrieved September 22, 2011.
  22. ^ "The True Cost of the Bank Bailout". PBS. September 3, 2010. Archived from the original on January 11, 2020. Retrieved September 22, 2011. {{cite web}}: line feed character in |title= at position 27 (help)
  23. ^ "The Political History of Cap and Trade". Smithsonian Magazine. Retrieved October 12, 2011.
  24. ^ "Final Vote Results for Roll Call 477". Clerk of the United States House of Representatives. June 26, 2009. Retrieved September 22, 2011.
  25. ^ "Final Vote Results for Roll Call 887". Clerk of the United States House of Representatives. November 7, 2009. Retrieved September 22, 2011.
  26. ^ "Final Vote Results for Roll Call 165". Clerk of the United States House of Representatives. March 21, 2010. Retrieved September 22, 2011.
  27. ^ "FINAL VOTE RESULTS FOR ROLL CALL 167". Clerk of the United States House of Representatives. March 21, 2010. Retrieved September 22, 2011.
  28. ^ Davis, Julie Hirschfeld (July 17, 2015). "Pro-Israel Aipac Creates Group to Lobby Against the Iran Deal". First Draft. Retrieved September 10, 2018.
  29. ^ "Final Vote Results for Roll Call 455". Clerk of the United States House of Representatives. October 10, 2002. Retrieved September 22, 2011.
  30. ^ Lipton, Eric (September 5, 2011). "A Congresswoman's Cause Is Often Her Husband's Gain". The New York Times. Retrieved September 20, 2012.
  31. ^ "CREW Names the 14 Most Corrupt Members of Congress; Five More Earn Dishonrable Mentions". Citizens for Responsibility and Ethics in Washington. September 19, 2011. Archived from the original on September 26, 2011. Retrieved September 22, 2011.
  32. ^ "Shelley Berkley (D-NV)". Most Corrupt Members of Congress. Citizens for Responsibility and Ethics in Washington. Archived from the original on September 24, 2011. Retrieved September 22, 2011.
  33. ^ "Dishonrable Mention: Representative Shelley Berkley". Most Corrupt Members of Congress. Citizens for Responsibility and Ethics in Washington. Archived from the original (PDF) on December 18, 2011. Retrieved September 22, 2011.
  34. ^ "CREW Names the 12 Most Corrupt Members of Congress; Eight More Earn Dishonorable Mentions". Citizens for Responsibility and Ethics in Washington. September 12, 2012. Archived from the original on September 16, 2012. Retrieved September 20, 2012.
  35. ^ Damon, Anjeanette (July 9, 2012). "House ethics committee to launch full investigation into allegations against Berkley". The Las Vegas Sun. Retrieved July 9, 2012.
  36. ^ Jane Anne Morrison (March 24, 2012). "Whether true or false, ethics review may be Berkley's demise". Las Vegas Review-Journal.
  37. ^ a b Morrison, Jane Ann (June 5, 1998). "Berkley ripped for advocating favors". Las Vegas Review-Journal. Retrieved September 22, 2011.
  38. ^ Cary, Sean (September 15, 2011). "A rocky start for Berkley". Reno News Review. Retrieved September 22, 2011.
  39. ^ Trygstad, Kyle (April 14, 2011). "Shelley Berkley Will Run for Senate in Nevada". Roll Call. Retrieved September 22, 2011.
  40. ^ Ralston, Jon (June 13, 2012). "Heller-Berkley worthy successor to Reid-Angle". Las Vegas Sun.
  41. ^ 2012 Election Results Map: Senate, Politico, 2012, retrieved April 28, 2013
  42. ^ Jonathan D. Salant (July 31, 2012). "Republicans Outraising Democratic Rivals in House Races". Bloomberg Businessweek. Archived from the original on January 19, 2013. Retrieved August 1, 2012.
  43. ^ Laura Meyers (December 18, 2013). "Former U.S. Rep. Shelley Berkley to lead Touro University in Nevada, California". Las Vegas Review-Journal. Retrieved December 18, 2013.
  44. ^ Nevada, Touro University. "2023 News & Stories, Sr. Vice President Shelley Berkley Announces Retirement - Touro Nevada". tun.touro.edu. Retrieved July 4, 2023.
  45. ^ Kean, Tricia (January 5, 2023). "Exclusive: Former U.S. Congresswoman Shelley Berkley Announces Plans to Run for Las Vegas Mayor". KTNV 13 Action News Las Vegas. Retrieved July 4, 2023.
  46. ^ "2024 Primary Election Unofficial Results". Clark County. Retrieved June 13, 2024.
  47. ^ "Seaman Seeks Promotion to Las Vegas Mayor After Five Years on the Council". The Nevada Independent. October 13, 2024. Retrieved February 4, 2025.
  48. ^ Torres-Cortez, Ricardo (November 7, 2024). "Victoria Seaman Concedes Las Vegas Mayoral Race to Shelley Berkley". Las Vegas Review Journal. Retrieved November 10, 2024.
  49. ^ "Mayoral Election in Las Vegas, Nevada (2024)". Ballotpedia. 2024. Retrieved February 4, 2025.
  50. ^ a b Hakimian, Leah (January 3, 2011). "How Larry Met Shelley: A Congressional Romance". The Jewish Week. Retrieved September 22, 2011.
  51. ^ Laura Meyers (July 30, 2012). "Berkley says husband will 'be there for me' on campaign trail when needed". Las Vegas Review-Journal. Retrieved August 1, 2012.
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U.S. House of Representatives
Preceded by Member of the U.S. House of Representatives
from Nevada's 1st congressional district
1999–2013 		Succeeded by
Party political offices
Preceded by Democratic nominee for U.S. Senator from Nevada
(Class 1)
2012 		Succeeded by
Political offices
Preceded by Mayor of Las Vegas
2024–present 		Incumbent
U.S. order of precedence (ceremonial)
Preceded byas Former US Representative Order of precedence of the United States
as Former US Representative 		Succeeded byas Former US Representative
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