Across the Aisle, Vol. 1: The First Gen Z-Led Candidate Forum in Las Vegas
A New Kind of Political Conversation
Across the Aisle began with a simple idea.
Hosted by the Gen Z Coalition of Las Vegas (GZLV), the forum was created to give candidates a space to speak directly to the community without endorsements, without filters, and without the usual media framing.
The first forum was hosted virtually, bringing together candidates from across the political spectrum to engage in real-time dialogue on policy, leadership, and the issues facing Nevada.
As stated at the outset:
“This is not a gotcha type of debate…this is just meaningful discourse.”
This set the tone for what would become a defining principle of the series.
Why This Forum Was Created
The goal was not to promote any candidate or party.
It was to solve a problem:
Voters, especially Gen Z, often struggle to distinguish between messaging, media narratives, and actual policy positions.
Across the Aisle was designed as a live vetting environment, where candidates could:
speak in their own words
respond to real questions
engage with opposing viewpoints
be seen and heard without editing or spin
As an initiative of the Gen Z Coalition of Las Vegas, the goal was not to promote any candidate or party, but to create a transparent environment for civic engagement.
Who Participated
The inaugural event featured candidates from:
Republican Party
Libertarian Party
Independent candidacy
Invitations were extended across the political spectrum, with the intention of full representation in future forums.
Participants included candidates for:
U.S. Congress
Nevada State Senate
Nevada Assembly
Clark County offices
This marked the beginning of what is now an expanding, multi-event series.
Format of the Forum
The structure was intentionally simple but disciplined:
Timed candidate introductions
Moderated policy questions
Rebuttals and open discussion
Live Q&A and cross-examination
Strict time limits were enforced to maintain fairness and momentum, ensuring each candidate had equal opportunity to speak.
Key Themes from the Discussion
While perspectives varied, several major themes emerged:
1. Trust in Government
Candidates addressed how to rebuild trust, particularly among younger voters who feel disconnected from political systems.
2. Role of Government
Debate centered on how much power government should hold versus individual autonomy.
3. Nevada-Specific Issues
Key topics included:
affordability and cost of living
state budgeting challenges
energy policy and monopolies
human trafficking and public safety
data privacy and emerging technologies
4. Generational Divide
A recurring dynamic was the contrast between experience and institutional knowledge, versus younger perspectives seeking systemic change.
Moments of Real Debate
Unlike scripted forums, this event included direct exchanges between candidates.
At times, discussions became intense, particularly around:
immigration policy
government trust
party systems
These moments highlighted the core purpose of Across the Aisle:
Not agreement, but exposure to real differences in thought.
A Focus on Nevada
One of the most important shifts in the conversation came when candidates were asked:
What is the most important issue facing Nevada specifically?
Responses ranged from:
economic affordability
state budget constraints
energy infrastructure
human trafficking
public records privacy
This grounded the discussion in local impact, rather than national talking points.
Engaging the Next Generation
A central question of the night was:
Why should a 23-year-old in Las Vegas believe your candidacy will improve their life?
The answers varied widely, but the intent was clear:
To challenge candidates to speak directly to younger voters, not just campaign broadly.
Why This Matters
Across the Aisle, Vol. 1 was not perfect, and it wasn’t meant to be.
It was a test.
A starting point.
A proof of concept that:
candidates are willing to engage
real conversations can happen
and there is demand for something different
What Comes Next
Since this first forum:
participation has expanded
in-person events have been introduced
more candidates across parties have engaged
This is now an ongoing initiative.
View the full list of participants across all events.
Watch the Full Forum
Final Note
The purpose of Across the Aisle remains unchanged:
To create a space where candidates can be heard, voters can engage, and ideas can be challenged openly and directly.
No endorsements.
No scripts.
Just conversation.
