John Jay Lee
| John Jay Lee | |
|---|---|
| Mayor of North Las Vegas | |
| Incumbent | |
| Assumed office July 1, 2013 | |
| Preceded by | Shari Buck |
| Member of the Nevada Senate from the 1st district | |
| In office 2004–2012 | |
| Preceded by | Jon Porter |
| Succeeded by | Patricia Spearman |
| Member of the Nevada Assembly from the 3rd district | |
| In office 1996–2002 | |
| Preceded by | Maureen Brower |
| Succeeded by | Peggy Pierce |
| Personal details | |
| Born | 1955 (age 58–59) South Ruislip Air Station, Middlesex, England |
| Political party | Democratic |
| Spouse(s) | Marilyn |
| Religion | The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints |
John Jay Lee (born 1955) is the mayor of North Las Vegas, a former member of the Nevada Senate, representing Clark County District 1 (2004-2012), and a former member of the Nevada Assembly, representing District 3 (1996-2000).[1]
Early life
John Lee was born on the U.S. Air Force Base in South Ruislip, Middlesex, England where his father was enlisted. At the age of six, he moved to North Las Vegas, in Clark County, Nevada. He attended Lincoln Elementary School, Quannah McCall Elementary School, St. Christopher’s, Marion E. Cahlan Elementary School, Bridger Junior High and Rancho High School. As a boy, he was active in Boy Scouts and earned his Eagle Scout.
Lee's first job was as a dishwasher at the Silver Nugget on the Las Vegas Boulevard. In 1975, he started working in the plumbing trade, using the family station wagon as his plumbing truck.
In 1991, Lee started Vegas Plumbing, Inc., a non-union plumbing company which he owns and operates today.
Political career
Lee began his political career by serving on a myriad of city and county boards, including:
- One Citizen's Advisory Commission, Las Vegas Valley Water District: Member (1994-1996)
- City of Las Vegas Parks and Recreation Board: Member (1995-1997)
- Clark County Comprehensive Planning and Steering Committee: Member (1995-1998)
- City of Las Vegas Parking and Traffic Commission: Vice Chairman (1995-2002)
- Regional Transportation Commission: Chairman, Citizen's Bus Shelter Advisory Committee (2007-2008)
- Clark County Shooting Range: Chairman (2002–present)
- Boy Scouts of America: Member of Executive Board (2003–present)
Lee was elected to the Nevada Assembly in 1996 and served in the Assembly until 2000. He was elected to the Nevada Senate in 2004, where he served as a member of the Legislative Operations and Elections, and the Energy, Infrastructure, and Transportation committees.
A conservative, Lee has voted against increasing funding sources to pay for education. Lee has worked to close the funding gap that exists between schools located in the north and south of the state. Lee introduced a bill to change the current funding formula which he argued underfunds higher education in southern Nevada compared to higher education in northern Nevada.
On August 1, 2011, Lee announced his candidacy for U.S. Congress for the 2012 election cycle. This campaign ended less than four months later when he instead announced that he would run for re-election. Facing Pat Spearman in the Democratic primary for the senate seat, he lost by 63% to 37%.
On April 2, 2013, Lee was elected Mayor of North Las Vegas defeating incumbent Mayor Shari Buck. Lee assumed office on July 1, 2013.[2]
Family & personal life
Lee met his first girlfriend, Marilyn Ruesch, in high school on a blind date. They married and had their first two children to the family a year apart. Today, they are the parents of seven children and fourteen grandchildren.
In 2007 Lee was diagnosed with stage IV cancer, which he overcame in 2009.
Lee is an active member of the Boy Scouts of America Executive Board. His commitment to the Boy Scouts began through his affiliation with the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.
External links
- Nevada State Legislature - Senator John Jay Lee official government website
- Project Vote Smart - Senator John Jay Lee (NV) profile
- Follow the Money - John Jay Lee