Politics inspired Valerie Wiener early in her life. Even in middle and senior high schools, political engagement motivated Valerie to run for-and win-class and student body offices every year. During her post-secondary years at the University of Missouri-Columbia, Valerie also held student body offices.

Professional commitments to her own radio stations kept Valerie busy from 1972 to 1986. However, also during the 1980’s, Valerie spent five years in Washington, D.C. as press secretary and speech writer for Nevada Congressman and United States Senator Harry Reid. She entered politics with her own successful campaign for the Nevada State Senate in 1996 and was re-elected in 2000 and 2004. Recognized as party leader, Valerie has served as the Minority Whip since 2001.

In 1997-1998, Valerie performed the vice chair duties for the Legislative Interim Study Committee on Juvenile Justice; she served as it’s chair from 1999 to 2000. Valerie also chaired Nevada’s Legislative Commission on School Safety and Juvenile Violence (1999-2000). In 1998, Valerie received one of her highest honors when she was selected as the only state legislator in the US to participate in the “White House Conference on School Safety.”

Since 1997, Valerie has served as a member of the Governor’s Commission on Aging and,  since 1999, she has been a member of Nevada’s Legislative Commission and the Attorney General’s Technological Crimes Advisory Committee.

In 2002, the National Conference of State Legislatures sponsored Valerie’s attendance at the “Healthy Schools Summit” in Washington, D.C., where she was honored as one of 27 “Healthy Schools Heroes” in the U.S. (the only state legislator so recognized). In 2003, Valerie was named a “Healthcare Policy Hero” by southern Nevada healthcare professionals and educators. During the 2003-2004 legislative interim, she chaired the Legislative Study Committee on Obesity. In 2004, The Society of Public Health Educators named Valerie the “Legislator of the Year.” Her bill, SB-197 of the 2005 session established the Statewide Program for Fitness and Wellness, which she believes will help reverse the obesity trend in our state.

Valerie is also committed to interacting with her constituents, especially children. This is why she visits every school in her senate district every year. In fact, as part of the National Conference of State Legislatures “Legislators Back to School” program, Valerie has visited more children that any other legislator in the country. Wanting to ignite young people’s interest in civic engagement, Valerie sponsored SB-247 in the 2007 Legislature. This law established the Nevada Youth Legislative Issues Forum, which Valerie believes “will motivate our state’s young people to participate in the political process in innumerable ways.”

Committed to Our Community

- Valerie was born in Senate District 3 and has volunteered thousands of hours to community betterment and programs.

- Valerie has been the primary sponsor of 82 bills and resolutions, and nearly 85% of these measures have been passed by the State Legislature.

- Valerie responds to constituent needs quickly and effectively.

- Valerie visits at least 3,000 students in her Senate District each year to provide information about friendship choices, fitness, good citizenships, and school safety.

- Valerie worked directly with the 12 elementary schools in her district to establish a healthy schools curriculum to address fitness and nutrition.

- Valerie has developed nearly 30,000 resource handbooks that detail services for senior citizens. Since 1999, she has been distributing these handbooks throughout her district.

- Valerie has served on key boards and commissions, such as: the Public Education Foundation, the Better Business Bureau of Southern Nevada, the Chamber of Commerce Leadership Las Vegas Alumni Association, the Nevada Commission on Aging, the Nevada Senior Olympics, and Action for Healthy Kids.