Las Vegas Sun

March 28, 2024

Damon Political Report

Assemblyman leaves committee room when his aunt testifies

Many lawmakers might feel like running out of the room when conservative activist Janine Hansen gets up to testify. Only one actually does: her nephew.

Janine Hansen, part of the Hansen clan that launched the Independent American Party in Nevada, testifies multiple times a day at the Legislature in her role as president of the conservative Nevada Families Eagle Forum.

But if she steps up to the microphone in the Assembly Judiciary or Education committees, her nephew Assemblyman Ira Hansen, R-Sparks, will leave his seat and wait outside until she is done testifying.

It’s an example of both a lasting family scar — Ira's mother divorced Janine's brother — and a political one. Ira Hansen has always believed the Hansen family has done more damage to conservative causes by running a third party than by changing things within the Republican Party.

“I do things differently than they do,” he said. “That’s why I’m sitting here.”

Though many Hansens have run as IAP members, none have been elected. Ira Hansen, who is Republican, easily won his seat.

But he’s cognizant of the reputation the Hansens have in the legislative building. Janine Hansen and her colleagues often take hard-line conservative views on everything from fluoride in drinking water, to campaign finance laws, to gun control. Their testimony is often listened to but rarely results in significant influence.

Ira Hansen said he doesn’t want his fellow Republicans to wonder whether he belongs to the GOP just to get elected.

“I don’t want anyone to think I have anything to do with the Independent Americans,” Ira Hansen said.

Hence, when his aunt arrives to testify, as she often does, he leaves.

Janine Hansen responds with a shrug of her shoulders.

“I wish him the best,” she said.

She said she doesn’t take it personally. And Ira Hansen said he’s doesn’t intend it as a “personal snub.”

“You know, we’re not related,” Janine Hansen joked. “I’m an Independent American and he’s a Republican.”

Ira Hansen has already developed a reputation as a pragmatic conservative. He said he backs Gov. Brian Sandoval’s no new taxes budget, but could be convinced to vote for a tax increase if its proven the state needs one to protect essential services.

Janine Hansen said she disagrees that Independent Americans aren’t taken seriously in the building.

“Of course we’re taken seriously,” she said. “We are very well received in committee. We respect them and they respect us.”

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