Across the Aisle Vol. 3 Brings Candidates and Students Together at UNLV for Open Civic Dialogue
Las Vegas, NV — The Gen Z Coalition of Las Vegas (GZLV), in collaboration with the College Republicans at UNLV, hosted Across the Aisle Vol. 3, a live, multi-panel debate forum bringing together candidates from across the political spectrum for a structured and student-centered discussion on the issues shaping Nevada’s future.
Held on campus at the University of Nevada, Las Vegas, the event marked the coalition’s most ambitious forum to date, expanding both in scale and scope while maintaining its core mission: fostering respectful, open dialogue across political lines.
A Platform Built for Dialogue, Not Division
Opening the event, GZLV leadership emphasized the purpose behind the series: creating a space where discourse can exist beyond partisan echo chambers.
“There are so many events that are just noise…I wanted to create something where people can have a healthy, peaceful discourse,” moderator Marlon A. Medina shared during opening remarks.
The event brought together candidates running for offices including:
U.S. Congress (CD1, CD2, CD3)
Governor
Nevada State Senate and Assembly
Clark County Recorder
Judicial positions
Each participant was given the opportunity to present their platform, respond to policy questions, and engage in moderated discussion.
Key Issues: Housing, Cost of Living, and Growth
Housing affordability emerged as one of the most debated topics of the night, particularly in Southern Nevada.
Candidates across parties acknowledged:
Corporate ownership of housing
Limited supply and land constraints
While solutions varied, proposals included:
Limiting corporate ownership of residential properties
Expanding housing supply through land reform
Addressing regulatory barriers and infrastructure challenges
The discussion highlighted a shared concern: homeownership is becoming increasingly out of reach for younger generations.
Technology, Jobs, and the Future Economy
Artificial intelligence sparked one of the most dynamic exchanges of the evening.
Candidates debated whether AI represents:
A tool for productivity and innovation
Or a threat to job stability and economic opportunity
The conversation underscored a broader concern among attendees:
how emerging technologies will shape the future workforce, especially for Gen Z.
Education and Student Impact
With the event hosted at UNLV, education policy took center stage.
Key themes included:
Rising tuition costs
The need for workforce-aligned education (including trade programs)
Candidates proposed a range of solutions, from increasing teacher incentives to restructuring funding systems and expanding alternative education pathways.
Crime, Public Safety, and Community Accountability
Public safety discussions reflected differing philosophies on enforcement and prevention.
Topics included:
The balance between policing and social programs
Resource allocation for mental health and homelessness
Accountability for both petty and serious crimes
Despite ideological differences, many candidates emphasized the need for both safety and fairness in enforcement.
Governance, Trust, and Accountability
A recurring theme throughout the night was public trust in government.
Candidates across panels addressed:
Concerns over corporate influence in politics
The need for transparency in public offices
Calls for greater accountability at all levels of government
These conversations resonated strongly with attendees, particularly younger voters navigating increasing economic and social pressures.
The Gen Z Question: Why Vote?
One of the most impactful moments of the evening came during the audience Q&A, when a student asked:
Why should Gen Z vote at all?
Candidates responded with a unified message:
Voting directly impacts issues like tuition, housing, and cost of living
Younger voters are often underrepresented at the ballot box
Increased participation could dramatically shift election outcomes
As one candidate noted, smaller races can be decided by tens of thousands (or even fewer) votes, making Gen Z participation especially powerful.
A Growing Movement
Across the Aisle Vol. 3 reflects the continued growth of GZLV as a grassroots civic initiative.
What began as a small virtual discussion has evolved into:
Multi-panel live events
Cross-organizational collaborations
A platform attracting candidates from across Nevada
The event maintained a strict commitment to:
Nonpartisanship
Structured moderation
Respectful engagement
Looking Ahead
With strong turnout and high engagement, GZLV plans to continue expanding the Across the Aisle series, bringing more voices, perspectives, and students into the conversation.
The full debate replay is now available above, providing continued access to the discussion beyond the live event and allowing candidates, students, and the broader community to engage with the issues at their own pace.
As the series grows, GZLV remains committed to creating a space for open, structured, and respectful dialogue across political lines.
About Gen Z Coalition of Las Vegas
The Gen Z Coalition of Las Vegas is a grassroots organization dedicated to fostering civic engagement, open dialogue, and leadership development among young people. Through events like Across the Aisle, GZLV aims to create meaningful opportunities for students and community members to engage directly with the political process.
For updates on future events and opportunities to get involved, visit gzlv.org
