Primary | CD2 Democratic Candidates for US House

Samuel KoepnickSamuel Koepnick

Web Site

Samuel Koepnick is a Reno-based information technology specialist for the state who is running for Congress pledging to accept no more than $5 donations.

He says: “Money is not speech and corporations are not people.”

With his education and occupation in technology, Koepnick said he believes smarter use of technology can help everything from the unemployment rate to education and gas prices.

He does not support the President’s signature health care law, saying he favors a more rigorous approach that sets a base level of subsidized care for all.

Xio RodriguezXio Rodriguez

Web Site

Xiomara Rodriguez is a retired Coast Guard recruiter and special agent who is making her second bid for office.

Rodriguez, who was born in Puerto Rico, was a national delegate for Barack Obama four years ago.

She’s tired of what she sees from the current Congressman in District 2.

“Our cry for this election needs to be “Enough is Enough.” enough of the stagnant actions of our Congress. It is time to start moving this country forward.”

Specifically, she supports taxing the 1 percent and exploring green jobs and alternative energy in Nevada.

Rodriguez is also concerned about the “war on women” and pledges to stand up for access to health care. Supporters and endorsements include: Planned Parenthood.

Endorsements and Supporters include: Emerge Nevada, Pro-Rating Planned Parenthood

Sam DehneSam Dehne

Web Site

Sam Dehne is a retired Air Force officer who has an avid love of flying planes equal only to his avid criticism of Reno-area politics and media.

Dehne is making yet another bid for office this year again for the congressional seat.

He claims he lost the primary election last cycle because “the cowards rigged Sam’s vote count.”

He offers no information on issues.

Xiomara Rodriguez files to unseat Amodei in CD2

by Xiomara Rodriguez Vazquez on Wednesday, March 14, 2012 at 11:19am

This is a question I have been asked frequently.  I have asked myself the same question many, many times.  The answer is not a simple one; it could be answered in an ideological way.  But the reality is there right in front of us, in our every day lives.

Today, Wednesday, March 14, 2012, I made it official that I will be a candidate for Nevada’s Congressional District Two.  This is the beginning of a new stage of my life and the people of CD2.

I am running because it is time to stop playing politics with the people of Nevada and this country.  It is time to start working TOGETHER to move this state and this country forward.  WE CANNOT continue to be content with party line actions that affect us all.

Our current elected officials got to Congress with the cry of “JOBS, JOBS, JOBS.”  But they have not done anything to create those jobs, especially not in Nevada.  Nevada still has one of the highest unemployment rates in the country, and still nothing is done.

Here in Nevada we have the ability to tap into our wind, solar, and geothermal resources.  By becoming the leader in alternative energy, we can create much needed jobs and help reduce the nation’s dependence on foreign oil.  In the process, we can become the nation’s leader in the development of alternative energy.

Our politicians talk about the need to balance our budget.  I have to agree that this country needs a balanced budget, but how do we do that.  I feel the best way to balance the budget is by creating income.  We have cut our agencies to the bare bones.  We cannot cut ourselves out of this one.  We need to add income.

Also, we CANNOT continue to tax 99% of our population for the benefit of 1%.  We need to tax that 1%.  In the last week, our current representative in Congress said that even if the people of Nevadaasked him to raise our taxes he would not.  Why make that statement; because he is acting in favor of that 1% and not for the benefit of the citizens of this state.  Just remember that he signed the Norquist pledge not to raises taxes (in reality, the pledge is not to raise taxes on the 1%).

Let’s also look at what has happened in the last few weeks regarding women’s health issues.  Our Representatives in Congress have mounted a series of actions to restrict women’s access to much needed health care.  They have also proposed very restrictive regulations and reporting procedures for doctors.  In the case of the State of Virginia, the Republican Party attempted to pass a bill that would require doctors to perform an invasive procedure which is absolutely unnecessary on women. The Republican Party is pushing similar measures all over the country in an effort to restrict women’s access to health care.  Is this what we want for our state and our country?

The people of CD2 and the State of Nevada deserve a representative who is willing to work for them, not broken promises, inaction and the “party line”.

These are some of the reasons I am running for Congress.  More to come.


Three other Democrats, Erik Holland, Samuel Koepnick and Rex Ricks, have also filed to run in an attempt to unseat Republican Mark Amodei who was just elected to the post in a special election.