Chris Giunchigliani officially in Nevada governor race

The wait is over.

Standing outside of Las Vegas Academy on Wednesday afternoon, Clark County Commissioner Chris Giunchigliani officially announced her bid for Nevada governor.

Flanked by a five-piece jazz band and about 20 supporters including former county commissioner Tom Collins, the Democrat launched her gubernatorial campaign by describing herself as a grassroots candidate and touting her 15 years experience as a state assemblywoman.

“I passed more progressive legislation under a Republican governor and a Republican-controlled Senate because I know how to work across the lines with people,” Giunchigliani told an audience of more than 100.

“I know how to listen. I know how to get things done. That’s who I am and that’s who I will continue to be,” she said. “I have never changed who I am just because I am running for office.”

Giunchigliani, a former teacher and union president, said she wants to improve education funding establish “living-wage jobs,” and “fix our broken system” for mental health and addiction treatment.

“I’ve already asked a champion in my eyes, (University Medical Center chief of staff) Dr. (Dave) Carrison, to chair a committee to start working statewide so that I have policies in front of me the day I walk in the door so that we can bring it to the (state) legislature,” she said.

No endorsements needed

“This is a true grassroots campaign, and I don’t believe I need to ask anyone to endorse me,” Giunchigliani told the Review-Journal. “The folks that know me already know my position and values. I’m working on making sure I reacquaint myself with Nevadans across the state.”

But she has at least one endorsement already: State Sen. Tick Segerblom, a Las Vegas Democrat who is running for Giunchigliani’s county commission seat.

“She’s smart. She’s hardworking, Honest as the day is long,” he said. “I think it’s important that we have a progressive running for office.”

Giunchigliani, who has served on the county commission since 2006, said she began a listening tour across Nevada in late July to hear citizens’ concerns.

Her connection with the Democratic base, she said, will help propel her in the party’s primary past fellow county commissioner and governor candidate Steve Sisolak.

While Sisolak has garnered several endorsements and has millions in campaign cash, Giunchigliani said she isn’t worried.

“In the Democratic primary it’s a very different voter. It’s the grassroots voters who know I’ve been an activist and involved in party for years,” she said. “They give me energy, and I plan on giving them that same passion back.”

Contact Michael Scott Davidson at sdavidson@reviewjournal.com or 702-477- 3861. Follow @davidsonlvrj on Twitter.