William McCurdy II

William O'Neil McCurdy II (born 1988) is a former Democratic member of the Nevada Assembly and chair of the Nevada Democratic Party. He represented the 6th district, which covers parts of the central Las Vegas Valley.

William McCurdy II
Chair of the Nevada Democratic Party
Assumed office
March 4, 2017
Preceded byRoberta Lange
Member of the Nevada Assembly
from the 6th district
In office
November 9, 2016 – November 4, 2020
Preceded byHarvey Munford
Succeeded byShondra Summers-Armstrong
Personal details
Born1988 (age 32–33)
Las Vegas, Nevada, U.S.
Political partyDemocratic
EducationCollege of Southern Nevada University of Nevada Las Vegas

Biography

Assemblyman William McCurdy II is an American politician who has served as a political director for Service Employees International Union (SEIU). McCurdy is a Las Vegas native, born and raised. He grew up in Vegas Heights, a neighborhood in the city's westside, near the Historic Westside neighborhood. After having a child in high school, McCurdy dropped out and became a construction worker to be able to provide for his family. After finding success in leadership in the field of construction, rising to the role of foreman on a large construction job on the Las Vegas Strip, McCurdy decided he would go back to school at age 24 to earn his associate's degree from the College of Southern Nevada, where he later served as student body president and got his start in public service McCurdy has fought against tuition increases, and he is also one of the reasons both CSN campuses have student centers today, as he advocated for the implementation, and recently having the Cheyenne campus student center named after his good friend and mentor, Tyrone Thompson. Currently McCurdy is attending the University of Nevada Las Vegas to obtain his Bachelor's of Science in Urban Studies. [1][2]

William McCurdy II announced in August 2019 his bid for Clark County Commissioner District D. stated, “During my two terms, we made great progress for our community: from reforming our imperfect criminal justice system, to enhancing economic development and even passing legislation to increase access to fresh food grocers in our neighborhood,” McCurdy said. “I am now looking to take this progress to the Clark County Commission so we can continue our work to create jobs, strengthen public safety, increase access to healthcare and improve our schools for the residents of District D.” [3]

McCurdy was elected to the Assembly in 2016, prevailing in a four-way Democratic primary and defeating Republican general election opponent Carlo Maffatt in a landslide.[4]

McCurdy was elected chair of the Nevada Democratic Party in March 2017. He is the party's first black chair and its youngest, at 28 when elected.[5][6][7]

He currently serves on the Board of Advisors of Let America Vote, an organization founded by former Missouri Secretary of State Jason Kander that aims to end voter suppression.[8]

Personal life

McCurdy has 2 children; William III and Charles.[1]

Political positions

McCurdy supports raising the minimum wage to $15 an hour.[4]

Electoral history
Nevada Assembly District 6 Democratic primary, 2016[9]
Party Candidate Votes %
Democratic William McCurdy II 1,728 62.11
Democratic Macon Jackson 487 17.51
Democratic Valencia Burch 411 14.77
Democratic Arrick "Kerm" Foster 156 5.61
Total votes 2,782 100.00
Nevada Assembly District 5 election, 2016[10]
Party Candidate Votes %
Democratic William McCurdy II 12,227 87.23
Republican Carlo Maffatt 1,790 12.77
Total votes 14,017 100.00

References
  1. "William McCurdy II's Biography". Project VoteSmart. Retrieved November 18, 2017.
  2. Kudialis, Chris (April 14, 2016). "After overcoming poverty and gangs, Las Vegas politician sets sights on state office". Las Vegas Sun. Retrieved November 18, 2017.
  3. "William McCurdy II, head of Democratic Party and Assembly member, announces bid for Clark County Commission". thenevadaindependent.com.
  4. Messerly, Megan (January 20, 2017). "Freshman Orientation: Meet Democratic Assemblyman William McCurdy II". The Nevada Independent. Retrieved November 18, 2017.
  5. "William McCurdy II Elected Chair of the State Democratic Party". Nevada Democratic Party. March 4, 2017. Retrieved November 18, 2017.
  6. Lacanlale, Rio (March 4, 2017). "Nevada Democrats elect William McCurdy II as party chair". Las Vegas Review-Journal. Retrieved November 18, 2017.
  7. "Nevada Democratic Party Picks McCurdy as New Chairperson". U.S. News & World Report. March 5, 2017. Retrieved November 18, 2017.
  8. "Advisors". Let America Vote. Retrieved May 1, 2018.
  9. "NV State Assembly 06 - D Primary 2016". Our Campaigns. Retrieved November 18, 2017.
  10. "NV State Assembly 06 2016". Our Campaigns. Retrieved November 18, 2017.
Party political offices
Preceded by
Roberta Lange		 Chair of the Nevada Democratic Party
2017–present		 Incumbent
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