Reno activist seeks Assembly seat

Longtime Reno community activist Lonnie Feemster filed Friday for the District 32 Assembly seat representing part of Washoe, Humboldt and Lander counties.

Feemster, a Democrat, is taking on Republican incumbent John Marvel, senior member of the Assembly. He is 54.

It is his first run for political office although he has twice been chairman of the Reno-Sparks NAACP and has been involved in numerous civic and nonprofit groups over the years ranging from the Junior JayCees to anti-gang task forces.

"People are concerned that the state doesn't have enough money to do the things that are important to do," he said. "People are concerned that funding for education is way too low but aren't sure where the money should come from to fund it. That is the most important issue we have to deal with."

He said the challenge facing the coming Legislature will be to balance those needs and find answers which provide the necessary funding which are acceptable to the people of the state.

"I will be working for a solution for the whole state because the whole state must live with the result," he said.

Feemster is a real estate agent in Reno.

He began that business full time after retiring from a 27 years career with Sierra Pacific Power Co. where he worked in public information and marketing and as an energy consultant.

He said he is very familiar with the rural parts of the district, having started his career with the utility as a meter reader including working in the Interstate 80 corridor.