Interview with John P. Rutledge, Democratic candidate for Nevada governor

I had an opportunity to interview Democratic candidate for Governor of Nevada, John P. Rutledge. He has been a supporter of the Downtown 20/20 organization, and has long been devoted to seeing our great and beautiful city grow and prosper.

Mr. Rutledge is a real estate and business Lawyer at Rutledge Law Center, which is headquartered in Carson City, and is active around our state.

I first asked him what he wanted people to know about him and his campaign, and here is what he had to say.

“I’d like people to know that I’m a driven, empathetic, big-picture guy with a keen attention to detail and devotion to logic and fair dealing. I am determined to do my part to help our state realize its fullest potential, without regard to cosmetic battle stances like party affiliation and initial state of origin. If you’re for our state’s future, then I’m with you.”

“As for my campaign, the primary goal is pretty simple, really; at least in the short term. Our extremely popular governor has no other viable opponent to force the uncomfortable discussions we Nevadans deserve. I'm here to do that and more. Additionally, he's such a likable, smart guy that I hope he and I can show the nation that real statesmen are able to substantively disagree without being inherently adversarial or mean-spirited. That's me — and the campaign — in a nutshell.”

When asked what he believes Nevada most needs, he responded:

“Jobs that pay a livable wage and a school system that produces young adults ready to compete worldwide. That requires that we educate our kids, equip our young adults with practical knowledge, and build an economy that develops and maintains meaningful jobs for our fellow adult Nevadans.

“My administration would work tirelessly to encourage entrepreneurship and the establishment of up-start businesses within our state. We’d foster the growth of existing intra-state businesses, and aggressively recruit the relocation to our home turf of businesses from other states and countries. A broad reform of our school system by and through an unemotional review of every aspect, entitlement, and approach would also be on the top of the agenda; and a continuous effort to garner far more funds for the education of our kids through increased private-public partnerships (and not just "let's raise taxes" default logic).

"Additionally, I would love for our state to commit itself to being the cleanest state in the country — no litter, no debris, with targeted environs for our street artists to thrive. And we need MUCH better facilities and services for our mentally ill and/or otherwise homeless.”

When asked about his thoughts on: Business, budget, laws, marriage, politics, seniors, Health Care, Mr. Rutledge offered up a lot of information. Here is a highlight:

“My thoughts are that we have too many regulations and not enough even enforcement of our existing laws, rules, and regulations. It's brutal to navigate the protocols required to code-comply renovate a property or operate a business, with technicalities, selective enforcement, and egos too often trumping substance, prudent judgment, and basic empathy for our small business job creators. We're all in this together, and I believe our laws should be grounded in substance and significance — not a desire to control, dictate, and displace the everyman. I know that response will likely be received as more Republican than Democratic, but I’m not about labels, and I’m not about credit or attribution. I’m about results for my state and its people. And we’ve got honest to goodness battles to fight; I’ve no time for the cosmetic ones.”

I then asked him, “What is at the heart of John Rutledge?” He responded:

“At my heart, I'm little more than my father's son: a high energy guy blessed with an outstanding education and a grounded moral compass. I’m a born leader and servant; I’m Joe Six-Pack in a suit. I recently learned that I've developed a nickname in the legal community. They call me The Wolf. And I'll bring that focus, that intensity, that passion to the Governor's Office. It's time to come up, Nevada. It's time for us to shine like The Silver State.”

I then asked: “How do you think you can help our rural Nevada?” Here is Mr. Rutledge’s answer:

“Like John Mellencamp, I was born and raised in a small town; and I have a keen understanding of the benefits and limitations of small town life. One of the benefits is that the relocation to that town of a medium-sized employer makes a huge impact. Rather than automatically channeling all relocating businesses to urban hubs like Clark and Washoe counties, my administration would work hard to match targeted, relocating small- and medium- sized business with small town Nevada in a way that works best for both the business and the town. Again, we're all in this together.”

Mr. Rutledge is clearly not the typical candidate for public office. But, then again, these are not typical times. And perhaps he’s exactly what our state needs as we hope to transition from the recession to flourishing times. Will John Rutledge be Nevada’s next Governor? Time will tell.