As midterm election campaigning heats up, Nevada remains a vital jurisdiction for both parties. Kamala Harris, who has a busy pre-election schedule that will take her to several key states, has scheduled a stop in Las Vegas on 21 October. There, she will meet representatives of the Culinary Union to endorse Nevada Attorney General Aaron Ford in his bid to become the state’s next Governor.

Trump’s Economic Policies Face Criticism

Culinary Union support could prove pivotal to Ford’s campaign. With roughly 60,000 members from Nevada’s casino and hospitality industry potentially voting Democrat, Harris’ efforts could potentially swing a historically red state. While prediction markets favor a win by current Governor Joe Lombardo, margins are small enough that an upset is possible.

Many of the Culinary Union’s grievances with Lombardo stem from what they call the “Trump Slump”. Members cite the President’s unpopular international policies as a key factor alienating tourists from countries like Canada and Mexico. Meanwhile, rising gas and grocery prices are placing additional pressure on workers in a historically underpaid sector.

Other unpopular Trump measures include his No Taxes on Tips measure. The Culinary Union argues that this initiative could do more harm than good, as it penalizes certain types of workers, discriminates against immigrants, and even includes a marriage penalty. As the measure is set to expire when Trump leaves office, it may suddenly leave hospitality workers in a precarious position.