Across the Aisle Vol. 2 at UNLV: How Las Vegas Students Are Reshaping Civic Dialogue

Event Overview

At the University of Nevada, Las Vegas, students, candidates, and community members came together for Across the Aisle Vol. 2, a civic forum designed around one core principle: real, unfiltered dialogue.

Hosted in collaboration with College Republicans at UNLV and additional campus partners, the event brought together candidates from federal, state, and local races, representing a range of political affiliations including Republican, Libertarian, Independent, and non-partisan perspectives.

Unlike traditional forums, Across the Aisle prioritizes direct engagement, giving students the opportunity to hear from candidates and ask questions on the issues impacting Las Vegas in real time.

Full Debate Video

Watch the full-length recording of the event below. The video includes light production edits, while preserving the integrity of the discussion as it happened.

What Actually Happened

The forum followed a structured but open format designed to ensure fairness, accessibility, and meaningful participation.

Candidates delivered opening statements, responded to moderated questions across key policy areas, and then engaged directly with students during a live audience Q&A.

There were no pre-screened responses or scripted talking points.

Instead, candidates addressed complex and often challenging questions in real time, creating a more authentic and transparent exchange than what is typically seen in traditional political settings.

Key Issues Discussed

Throughout the evening, several major issues shaping Las Vegas and Nevada were addressed:

Housing & Cost of Living
Candidates discussed rising housing costs, pointing to federal land limitations, supply constraints, and regulatory barriers. Proposed solutions included increasing land availability and reducing development delays.

Water & Sustainability
With Lake Mead remaining a central concern, candidates debated long-term water strategies, including infrastructure investment and regional cooperation.

Crime & Public Safety
The discussion explored both enforcement strategies and broader systemic challenges, including economic pressure, homelessness, and recidivism.

Immigration Policy
Candidates shared differing perspectives on border policy, workforce implications, and pathways forward, reflecting broader national debates with local impact.

Education & Rising Tuition
UNLV students raised concerns about affordability and access, prompting discussion on funding, budgeting, and the long-term sustainability of higher education in Nevada.

Student & Community Engagement

One of the defining elements of Across the Aisle Vol. 2 was the level of participation from students and attendees.

Rather than observing passively, students:

• Asked direct questions

• Challenged candidates

• Engaged in real-time discussion

Attendees represented a wide range of perspectives, contributing to an environment that, while at times intense, remained focused on dialogue rather than division.

This reflects a growing demand among younger generations for:

• Transparency

• Accessibility

• Accountability

The Role of Moderation

The forum was moderated by Marlon A. Medina (GZLV) alongside Jasmine DeLaTorre (College Republicans).

The role of moderation was not to shape outcomes, but to ensure:

• Equal speaking opportunities

• Structured flow

• A balanced and respectful environment

In a time where political discourse is often fragmented, maintaining neutrality and structure remains essential to productive conversation.

About Across the Aisle

Across the Aisle is a GZLV-led civic forum series focused on creating space for open, balanced, and direct dialogue between candidates and the community.

The format is designed to:

• Encourage real-time engagement

• Provide equal opportunity for candidates

• Give students a direct voice in the conversation

About GZLV

The Gen Z Coalition of Las Vegas (GZLV) is a grassroots initiative focused on increasing civic engagement among young people in Southern Nevada.

Through forums like Across the Aisle, GZLV works to:

• Connect voters with candidates

• Create accessible platforms for dialogue

• Encourage participation in the civic process

The organization operates independently and is committed to building a culture of engagement rooted in authenticity and accessibility.

What This Means for Las Vegas

As Las Vegas continues to grow, so does the need for meaningful civic participation, especially among younger generations.

Access to direct dialogue with candidates remains limited in many traditional settings. Events like Across the Aisle demonstrate an alternative approach. One built on transparency, accessibility, and real-time engagement.

For students and first-time voters, these experiences play a key role in shaping how they understand and participate in the political process.

What’s Next

Across the Aisle is continuing to grow.

Planning is already underway for the next forum, with a focus on:

• Expanding participation

• Increasing representation across perspectives

• Strengthening opportunities for direct engagement

Students, candidates, and community members interested in participating are encouraged to stay connected for upcoming announcements.

Acknowledgements

Special thanks to Kean Allen Dino for his role in planning and execution, supporting both event coordination and video production.

Additional thanks to Christina Nguyen and the College Republicans team for their work in organizing and managing the event.

Closing Thoughts

The most important takeaway from Across the Aisle Vol. 2 wasn’t tied to a single candidate or position.

It was the fact that people showed up.

They engaged, asked questions, and participated in a conversation that directly impacts their community.

At a time when much of political discourse happens at a distance, creating spaces for real, in-person dialogue remains both relevant and necessary.