LAS VEGAS (KTNV) — With tens of thousands of additional midterm election ballots added to the Clark County total on Friday afternoon, Stavros Anthony is on track to become the next lieutenant governor of Nevada.
Of the 95% of ballots counted statewide, nearly 50% were for Anthony, compared with 45.39% for incumbent Democrat Lisa Cano Burkhead.
Cano Burkhead shared that she conceded victory to Anthony on Saturday morning:
"While the results were not what we hoped, I will never stop fighting for our students, parents, or educators," she stated. "I have a deep belief in democracy, a respect for the electoral process, and faith in the will of Nevada voters."
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Anthony, a Republican, will serve under Clark County Sheriff Joe Lombardo. Lombardo issued a victory statement Friday night after Steve Sisolak conceded the race for governor of Nevada.
Both Anthony and Lombardo had decades-long careers with the Las Vegas Metropolitan Police Department. Anthony is a 29-year veteran of LVMPD who is currently in his third term on the Las Vegas City Council, representing Ward 4.
Cano Burkhead was appointed by Sisolak in December of 2021. She spent the majority of her professional career as an educator. Born and raised in Las Vegas, she's a first-generation Latina American, and was the first Latina to hold the office of lieutenant governor in Nevada.
"I wish Councilman Anthony the best," Cano Burkhead stated. "My team stands ready and willing to assist in the transition and support in any way that we can."
The concession from Sisolak came soon after an estimated 25,898 ballots were added to the ongoing count in Clark County. Election officials previously estimated they had at least 50,000 ballots still to count. That's in addition to thousands of provisional ballots and ballots that need to be cured.
Ballot counting in Clark County will continue on Saturday, as required by state law, registrar of voters Joe Gloria said.
Lisa Cano Burkhead's concession statement can be read in full here:
"Earlier today, I called Councilman Stavros Anthony to congratulate him on his election as Lieutenant Governor of our great state.
While the results were not what we hoped, I will never stop fighting for our students, parents, or educators. I have a deep belief in democracy, a respect for the electoral process, and faith in the will of Nevada voters.
It has been the honor of a lifetime to serve my home state, the state where my family immigrated when Las Vegas was just a small desert town. The state that welcomed them, and the state where a first-generation Latina could serve as Lieutenant Governor.
First, thank you to my family, who have stood by me since day one. My husband has been my rock. To my daughters: you deserve to live in a world that is more just and fair than it was yesterday. You are my inspiration.
A year ago, when Governor Sisolak had an appointment to fill, he could have chosen anyone. He put his faith in a first generation Latina educator. Thank you, Governor, for your faith and belief in me, as well as your dedication to our students and educators. Governor Sisolak knows what I know: educators belong at the table; the sons and daughters of immigrants belong at the table.
Thank you to all those who volunteered, knocked doors, supported, and donated to my campaign. I do not take your faith or belief in me lightly.
Lastly, thank you to my parents, mi mamí y papí, for your courage in pursuing the American Dream so that you could provide a better life for your children. Thank you for instilling in me the importance of giving back, and the belief that public education is the great equalizer for every child. Ustedes fueron, y siguen siendo, la razón por la que siempre lucharé por un mejor Nevada. Seguiré haciendo lo correcto por nuestra comunidad así como ustedes me enseñaron.
I am buoyed by the fact that Senator Catherine Cortez Masto is on a path to victory. I know that she will continue to be a tireless advocate in Washington for Nevadans.
I wish Councilman Anthony the best. My team stands ready and willing to assist in the transition and support in any way that we can."
