Gov. Steve Sisolak swore in Cano Burkhead, 50, the daughter of immigrants from South America, who then answered questions from reporters in both Spanish and English. She said she intends to keep her position next year in the midterm election.
“I plan to be a voice for educators, students, and parents, those that we want to prioritize if we want to move Nevada forward,” Cano Burkhead said. “I think we can get so much work done if I have a full term.”
Cano Burkhead succeeded former Lt. Gov. Kate Marshall, who resigned in August to accept a position in the White House. She also served on the Paradise Town Board in Clark County and ran as a Democrat for the State Assembly in 2002.
Being lieutenant governor is a part-time position that includes responsibilities such as heading state Legislature sessions and the Nevada Commission on Tourism.
Cano Burkhead’s appointment ended months of speculation regarding who Sisolak, a first-term Democrat, would choose to succeed Marshall. Sisolak commended Cano Burkhead on her 25 years of experience as a teacher and school administrator in the Las Vegas area. He believes she will be an agent of change in state government.
“We can’t keep doing things the same way and expect different results,” Sisolak said. “Lisa has proven that she could turn around schools. Her practices and innovation have demonstrated that they work.”
Cano Burkhead said her late father, who was a Las Vegas Strip blackjack dealer, was from Argentina. Her mother, a seamstress, was from Paraguay.
The emphasis on her background could be significant in a state that is fifth in the U.S. in its percentage of Hispanic and Latino population.
The U.S. Census reports about 30 percent of the population identifies as Hispanic or Latino, and that a little more than 20 percent of eligible voters in Nevada — U.S. citizens 18 and older — are Hispanic or Latino.
Nevada in recent years had a Hispanic governor — Sisolak’s predecessor, Brian Sandoval, a Republican — and U.S. Sen. Catherine Cortez Masto is the first woman from Nevada and the first Latina elected to the Senate. She previously served as state attorney general.
Four Republicans have announced they’ll run for Lieutenant Gov.: Former state treasurer Dan Schwartz, perennial candidate Mack Miller, businessman John Miller, and Las Vegas City Council member Stavros Anthony.
Two Democrats, Henderson Mayor Debra March and Nevada Democratic Rural Caucus Chairwoman Kimi Cole, have announced they’re running.
The Associated Press contributed to this report.
