Letter: Kimsey clarifies editorial

I’m writing in response to a recent editorial (“Feeling sorry for Auditor Greg Kimsey,” In Our View, Jan. 2).

I appreciate the observations and kind words of the editorial, but nobody should feel sorry for me. I am deeply honored to serve in the nonpartisan office of Clark County Auditor where I am a small, but important, part of supporting and defending our democracy.

The editorial incorrectly describes me as a Republican. For many years I did consider myself a Republican, however that is no longer true. When I declared myself to be a Republican in 1998 I did so because I valued the party’s commitment to democratic processes, limited government, balanced budgets, conserving the environment and capitalism.

In addition, I admired and respected many prominent members of “the Party of Lincoln,” people like Ralph Munro, Sam Reed, Dan Evans, Mark Hatfield and Mitt Romney.

However, members of the Republican Party attempted to interfere with the peaceful transfer of power in 2020 and have pushed for more restrictive voting laws to support the false accusation that the election was stolen. The Republican National Committee described the Jan. 6, 2021, insurrectionists as “ordinary citizens engaged in legitimate political discourse.”

I continue to admire and respect many Republicans, but the Republican Party’s direction has moved away from my values and beliefs. I am not a member of the Democratic Party, I am an independent.