Assemblywoman Lesley Cohen stepping away from politics to focus on private life

By Casey Harrison (contact)

Friday, Sept. 8, 2023 | 10 a.m.

Assemblywoman Lesley Cohen, a Democrat, will not seek reelection in 2024, becoming the third member of her conference to step down ahead of next year’s general election.

Cohen, 52, a divorce attorney, represents Assembly District 29, which covers parts of Henderson and Las Vegas.

Cohen was first appointed to the Assembly by the Clark County Commission in 2012 but was defeated by Republican Stephen Silberkraus in 2014. She retook the seat in 2016.

“It was truly an honor and a privilege to represent my district in the Nevada Legislature,” Cohen said in a statement. “I am deeply grateful for the trust and support my constituents and supporters have placed in me since 2012, however, I have decided it is time to take a step back from politics and focus on my private life moving forward.”

Cohen has backed legislation to create a task force to review opioid overdose deaths in Clark County, reform financial assistance for families who adopt children with special needs and reform the state Board of Medical Examiners.

Cohen also backed a resolution to enshrine access to reproductive health care into the Nevada Constitution. The measure must be approved again by the Legislature in 2025 and by voters in 2026 to become law.

In a statement, Assembly Speaker Steve Yeager said Cohen has been “a staunch advocate for reproductive freedoms, climate action, family law reform and public education.”

“Although I am sad to lose such a hard worker with tremendous institutional knowledge, I am thankful for her service to the state over the last decade,” he said.

Earlier this month, Assemblywoman Michelle Gorelow, D-Las Vegas, announced she also would not seek reelection.

Democratic Assemblywoman Sabra Smith Newby, D-Las Vegas, announced last month she wouldn’t seek reelection, either, resigning to take a new role as deputy Las Vegas city manager.