'I'm the best candidate': Councilman Crear enters Las Vegas mayor's race

By Ricardo Torres-Cortez

Thu, Mar 11, 2021 (8 p.m.)

Las Vegas City Councilman Cedric Crear wants to be the next mayor.

Crear, who represents Ward 5 — home to the historic West Las Vegas neighborhood where he still lives in his childhood home — launched his mayoral campaign Thursday afternoon. 

“I want to continue to serve, not only my ward, but continue to serve the city at large,” he told the Sun after the announcement. 

If elected in 2023, after Mayor Carolyn Goodman would have termed out, he would become not only the first Las Vegas-born head of the council, but also the first Black mayor. 

“My community has a rich history of serving this community and building this community, so it wouldn’t go lost,” Crear said about making history as a Black man. “It’ll be very special to take that role, to represent not only the entire city, but also my community.” 

He touts not only his experience in public service, but also his lifelong ties to the community. 

Crear, who holds a bachelor's degree from Howard University, was first elected to public office in 2006 as a regent with the Nevada System of Higher Education, where he won a second six-year term. 

He first won his Las Vegas council seat in a 2018 special election, and was reelected for a full, four-year term in 2019. 

His campaign lauds Crear’s work with education, employment, and his efforts to highlight the legacy of the Historic Westside.

For years, Crear said, residents across Las Vegas have encouraged him to run for mayor. 

He can't pinpoint the moment he knew he wanted to be mayor.

“I don’t know if you really know when you’re going to run,” he said. “I’m a big believer that politics comes to you. I know with my experience, I know with the work that we’ve accomplished, I just knew that we could accomplish even more.” 

Cedric and Keiba Crear have been married more than 20 years and have two daughters, Hagan and Kennedy. Asked what his loved ones thought about his announcement, he said their reaction was “overwhelmingly positive.” 

The race is still a couple of years away, but with Crear’s announcement, it appeared as if Councilwoman Michele Fiore may enter the contest. 

In a tweet to Nevada journalist Jon Ralston, she wrote: “...I will be kicking Crear’s A** in the Mayoral Race. Mayor Fiore sounds pretty dam good to me (sic).”

Crear said he hadn’t seen her message. 

“I say this is a competitive game that we’re in, and at the end of the day the residents in Las Vegas will find the best candidate. I know I’m the best candidate,” he said. “I love Las Vegas, and I can’t wait to be the next mayor."