Pat Spearman

{{Infobox officeholder

| name = Pat Spearman

| office = President pro tempore of the Nevada Senate

| term_start = February 6, 2023

| term_end = February 3, 2025

| predecessor = Mo Denis

| successor = Marilyn Dondero Loop

| state_senate1 = Nevada

| district1 = 1st

| term_start1 = February 4, 2013

| term_end1 = February 3, 2025

| predecessor1 = John Jay Lee

| successor1 = Michelee Cruz-Crawford

| birth_date = {{birth year and age|1955}}

| birth_place = Indianapolis, Indiana, U.S.

| death_date =

| death_place =

| party = Democratic

| education = Norfolk State University (BA)
Seminary of the Southwest (MDiv)

| allegiance = {{flag|United States}}

| branch = {{army|United States}}

| serviceyears = 1977–2007

| rank = Lieutenant Colonel

| unit = Military Police Corps

}}

Patricia Ann Spearman (born 1955) is an American cleric, veteran, and Democratic politician from North Las Vegas, Nevada. She was elected in November 2012 to the Nevada Senate representing District 1, that is composed of the northern section of North Las Vegas and slivers of neighboring jurisdictions, after defeating incumbent John Jay Lee in the primary, and winning the general election. Spearman became the first openly lesbian member of the Nevada Legislature. She was re-elected in November 2016, and served as co-majority whip. Regarded as one of the most liberal members of the Nevada Senate, Spearman introduced bills which provided equal pay for women, supported LGBT rights, and supported veterans.{{Cite web |url =http://www.rgj.com/story/news/2017/01/18/nevada-lawmakers-push-tax-break-lithium-development/96748908/ |access-date =5 February 2017 |last =Spillman |first =Benjamin |title =Nevada lawmakers push tax break for lithium development |date =18 January 2017 |website =Reno Gazette-Journal }} Spearman is also a supporter of the Equal Rights Amendment.{{Cite web|last=Newsmakers|first=Ray Hagar Nevada|title=Spearman, LGBTQ+ champion, pushes ERA, sees current time as 'revelation'|url=http://www.nevadaappeal.com/news/2021/may/10/spearman-lgbtq-champion-pushes-era-sees-current-ti/|access-date=2021-08-01|website=www.nevadaappeal.com}} Moreover, she was involved in the process of establishing the Nevada Revenue Plan during the 2015 session. On October 6, 2021, Spearman entered the 2022 race for Mayor of North Las Vegas, Nevada, but was defeated by Pamela Goynes-Brown.{{cite web|url=https://news3lv.com/news/local/senate-pat-spearman-announces-run-for-north-las-vegas-mayor |title=Nevada State Senator Pat Spearman announces run for North Las Vegas Mayor |last= |first= |date=6 October 2021 |website=news3lv.com |publisher= |access-date= |quote=}}{{Cite web |date=2022-11-15 |title=Goynes-Brown defeats Culinary-backed Spearman, becoming North Las Vegas's first Black mayor |url=https://thenevadaindependent.com/article/goynes-brown-defeats-culinary-backed-spearman-becoming-north-las-vegass-first-black-mayor |access-date=2025-01-26 |website=The Nevada Independent |language=en}}

Before being elected senator, Spearman served in the United States Army for 29 years, reaching the rank of lieutenant colonel, was a pastor, and held several public service positions, including president of the school district of San Marcos, Texas.

Early life and career

Born in 1955 in Indianapolis, Indiana,{{Cite web|url =http://leg.state.nv.us/App/Legislator/A/Senate/Current/1 |title =Senator Pat Spearman |access-date =6 January 2017 |website =Nevada Legislature }} Spearman was the daughter of a traveling evangelist. Because of that, she moved a lot during her childhood.{{Cite web |url =http://www.reviewjournal.com/news/nevada-legislature/shift-gop-control-carson-city-could-boost-voter-id-law |date =11 January 2015 |last =Myers |first =Laura |website =Las Vegas Review-Journal |access-date =4 February 2017 |title =Shift to GOP control in Carson City could boost voter ID law }} Spearman earned a Bachelor of Arts in political science from Norfolk State University in Norfolk, Virginia, and attended the Episcopal Theological Seminary of the Southwest in Austin, Texas, where she graduated with a Master of Divinity (M.Div.).{{Cite news |title =Bethel United Methodist Church holding revival |url =https://texashistory.unt.edu/ark:/67531/metapth399664/m1/11/?q=Spearman |newspaper =San Antonio Register |date =13 August 1992 |page =11 |via =The Portal to Texas History |accessdate =4 February 2017 }} {{Open access}}{{Cite web |url =http://www.votepatspearman.com/meet-spearman |title =Meet Spearman |website =Spearman for Nevada Senate 1 |access-date =7 January 2017 |archive-date =6 February 2017 |archive-url =https://web.archive.org/web/20170206185601/https://www.votepatspearman.com/meet-spearman |url-status =dead }} Moreover, she attended the Defense Equal Opportunity Management Institute and the U.S. Army Command and General Staff College, while serving in the army.{{Cite web |url =http://www.womeningovernment.org/sites/default/files/documents/events/SanDiegoSpeakerBios.pdf |title =Speaker Biographies |access-date =5 February 2017 |website =Women in Government }} When Spearman was running for Senate in 2012, she was pursuing a Doctor of Business Administration at Walden University, an online college.{{Cite web |url =http://www.spearmanforsenate.com/#!about |title =About Patricia |website =Patricia Spearman for Senate |accessdate =17 August 2012 |archive-date =16 October 2012 |archive-url =https://web.archive.org/web/20121016080925/http://www.spearmanforsenate.com/#!about |url-status =dead }}

Spearman spent 29 years (1977–2007) in the Military Police Corps of the United States Army, rising to the rank of lieutenant colonel. While serving in the military in 2004, she received the title Kentucky colonel. Furthermore, she held different public service positions in San Marcos, Texas in the 1980s and 1990s, starting as chair of the advisory council of a local district of the Department of Health and Human Services for two years. Thereafter, she was simultaneously member of the board of directors of a local charitable organization, member of the 17th Congressional District Selection Committee for Military Academies, and president of the San Marcos Consolidated Independent School District. She reached the board of the school district in 1991 after receiving 1,136 votes, and was chosen board president six months later.{{Cite news|url=http://nl.newsbank.com/nl-search/we/Archives?p_product=SAEC&p_theme=saec&p_action=search&p_maxdocs=200&p_topdoc=1&p_text_direct-0=0F22301F092B79C6&p_field_direct-0=document_id&p_perpage=10&p_sort=YMD_date:D&s_trackval=GooglePM |title =Elections: Hays County |newspaper =San Antonio Express-News |via =NewsLibrary |date =5 May 1991 |accessdate =4 February 2017 }}{{Cite web |url =http://www.nvsenatedems.com/senators/31-pat-spearman |archive-url =https://web.archive.org/web/20150126013855/http://www.nvsenatedems.com/senators/31-pat-spearman |url-status =dead |archive-date =January 26, 2015 |access-date =5 February 2017 |website =Nevada Senate Democrats |title =Pat Spearman has never taken the easy road or avoided a problem simply because it was too difficult. She has lived a life based in public service because it challenged her to do more for her country and for her community. }} She did not seek re-election to a second term in 1994.{{Cite news|last =MacCormack |first =Zeke |url=http://nl.newsbank.com/nl-search/we/Archives?p_product=AASB&p_theme=aasb&p_action=search&p_maxdocs=200&p_topdoc=1&p_text_direct-0=0EAD95CE5B0D1CE7&p_field_direct-0=document_id&p_perpage=10&p_sort=YMD_date:D&s_trackval=GooglePM |title=School board candidates in San Marcos talk issues |newspaper =Austin American-Statesman |date =5 May 1994 |accessdate =4 February 2017 |via =NewsLibrary }} In the early 1990s, she also served as pastor of the Jackson Chapel, a United Methodist church in San Marcos.

Between 2001 and 2005, Spearman served as faculty at the University of Louisville, where she was a lecturer in Pan American studies and director of the multicultural center.{{Cite web |url =http://www.lvrj.com/news/-professor-claim-challenged-in-state-senate-race-154395995.html |first =Ed |last =Vogel |title ='Professor' claim challenged in state Senate race |website =Las Vegas Review-Journal |date=26 May 2012 |accessdate =4 February 2017 }} After moving to the Las Vegas Valley in 2005, she founded the Resurrection Faith Community Ministries, a church in North Las Vegas, and became pastor of the church.{{Cite web |url =http://www.reviewjournal.com/news/elections/state-senator-lee-faces-primary-challenge |date =22 March 2012 |last =Vogel |first =Ed |website =Las Vegas Review-Journal |access-date =4 February 2017 |title =State senator Lee faces primary challenge }}{{Cite web |url =http://rfcmint.wix.com/resurrection#!pastor-pat-spearman |title =Lead Servant |website =Resurrection Faith Community Ministries |access-date =4 February 2017 |archive-date =6 February 2017 |archive-url =https://web.archive.org/web/20170206104041/http://rfcmint.wix.com/resurrection#!pastor-pat-spearman |url-status =dead }} Spearman also volunteered for Barack Obama's presidential campaign in 2008, and was member of the advisory boards for Harry Reid and Steven Horsford in 2010 and 2011 respectively.{{Cite web |url =https://votesmart.org/candidate/biography/137684/patricia-spearman# |access-date =5 February 2017 |website =Vote Smart |title =Patricia Spearman's Biography }}

Nevada Senate

= 2012 election =

In 2012, Spearman challenged two-term incumbent Nevada Senator John Jay Lee, who was endorsed by the Senate Democratic Caucus, to represent the 1st district in the Nevada Senate. Spearman argued Lee was too moderate, since he opposed abortion and gay marriage.{{Cite web |url =http://www.reviewjournal.com/news/elections/spearman-trounces-state-sen-lee |date =13 June 2012 |last =Vogel |first =Ed |website =Las Vegas Review-Journal |access-date =4 February 2017 |title =Spearman trounces state Sen. Lee }} For that reason, she was supported by a coalition of liberal-leaning social and environmental groups.{{Cite web |url =https://www.nytimes.com/2012/08/07/us/politics/in-weak-economy-an-opening-to-court-votes-of-single-women.html |title =In Weak Economy, an Opening to Court Votes of Single Women |date =7 August 2012 |access-date =4 February 2017 |website =The New York Times |last =Dewan |first =Shaila }} Spearman, who is lesbian herself, supported gay marriage and abortion. Furthermore, Spearman said Lee was not doing enough for his constituents. On her campaign website and in press releases, she stated she had worked as a professor at the University of Louisville, but the Las Vegas Review-Journal found out she technically had not been a professor. Lee criticized Spearman during his campaign for the falsehood, saying she was lying about her background in order to win the primary. Besides, Lee said that "[his] opponent [had] been encouraged to run by supporters of single issues like gay rights," and that the voters needed "the seniority and maturity of a senator."{{Cite web |url =http://www.reviewjournal.com/news/elections/2012-primary-election-state-senate-district-1 |date =27 May 2012 |last =Vogel |first =Ed |website =Las Vegas Review-Journal |access-date =4 February 2017 |title =2012 PRIMARY ELECTION: STATE SENATE DISTRICT 1 }}

Spearman won the primary, that was held on June 12, with 63% of the votes. She called it "a victory for the people." Spearman had spent about $12,000 on her primary campaign, which was only a fifteenth of the amount Lee had spent. However, an additional $80,000 was spent on her campaign by other political groups that were campaigning against Lee.{{Cite web |url =http://www.reviewjournal.com/news/elections/lee-st-martin-top-local-fundraising-primaries |date =10 June 2012 |last =Vogel |first =Ed |website =Las Vegas Review-Journal |access-date =4 February 2017 |title =Lee, St. Martin top local fundraising for primaries }} An analysis by Lee's opponents, found out 54% of the voters were female, and a third of them had never voted in a primary before. During the general election, she was only challenged by Independent American Gregory Hughes, as no Republican had filed for the office. During the campaign for the general election, Spearman said it was important for Nevada to raise funding for education, since the current education system makes the state unattractive to new businesses and industries. She argued the wages of teachers had to be raised, and classes had to become smaller. In order to accomplish that, Spearman wanted to review the state's tax system.{{Cite web |url =http://www.reviewjournal.com/news/elections/2012-voter-guide-nevada-senate-district-1 |date =21 October 2012 |last =Haynes |first =Brian |website =Las Vegas Review-Journal |access-date =4 February 2017 |title =2012 Voter Guide: Nevada Senate District 1 }} Spearman defeated her opponent on November 6 with 69% of the votes, having raised $108,000 for her general election campaign.{{Cite web |url =http://nvsos.gov/SOSCandidateServices/AnonymousAccess/ViewCCEReport.aspx?syn=ro7wkCUnIJ8DvsdNEQxDzQ%253d%253d |date =15 January 2013 |title =2012 Contributions & Expenses Report #5 |website =Secretary of State of Nevada |access-date =10 February 2017 }} Her term as a senator started the following day.{{Cite web |url =https://www.leg.state.nv.us/const/nvconst.html |website =Nevada Legislature |title =The Constitution of the State of Nevada |accessdate =4 February 2016 |date =28 July 1864 }}

= First term (2012-2016) =

During the 2013 regular session, Spearman sponsored multiple bills that passed the Legislature, including one that lists gender identity as a motivating factor for hate crimes.{{Cite web |url =http://www.nevadaappeal.com/news/government/nevada-senate-passes-transgender-protection-bill-20-1/ |title =Nevada Senate passes transgender protection bill, 20-1 |website =Nevada Appeal |access-date =6 January 2017 |last =Dornan |first =Geoff |date =28 March 2013 |archive-date =6 February 2017 |archive-url =https://web.archive.org/web/20170206103740/http://www.nevadaappeal.com/news/government/nevada-senate-passes-transgender-protection-bill-20-1/ |url-status =dead }}{{Cite web |url =http://www.leg.state.nv.us/Session/77th2013/Reports/history.cfm?ID=370 |website =Nevada Legislature |access-date =6 January 2017 |title =SB139 }} Besides, she supported a constitutional amendment to legalize gay marriage, and introduced an amendment to it that would allow religious organizations and clergy to refuse to marry people in order to take away concerns, and to guarantee religious protections.{{Cite web |url =http://www.leg.state.nv.us/Session/77th2013/Reports/history.cfm?ID=908 |title =SJR13 |website =Nevada Legislature |access-date =6 January 2017 }}{{Cite web |url =http://www.nevadaappeal.com/news/government/nevada-gay-marriage-bill-amended-to-protect-churches/ |last =Chereb |first =Sandra |website =Nevada Appeal |access-date =6 January 2017 |title =Nevada gay marriage bill amended to protect churches |date =20 April 2013 |archive-date =6 February 2017 |archive-url =https://web.archive.org/web/20170206103637/http://www.nevadaappeal.com/news/government/nevada-gay-marriage-bill-amended-to-protect-churches/ |url-status =dead }} In May, Spearman supported an assembly bill extending the deadline for voter registration, arguing she knew as a veteran that it would help military personnel.{{Cite web |url =http://www.nevadaappeal.com/news/government/ross-miller-pushes-later-voter-registration-deadlines/ |website =Nevada Appeal |access-date =7 January 2017 |date =10 May 2013 |last =Chereb |first =Sandra |title =Ross Miller pushes later voter registration deadlines |archive-date =6 February 2017 |archive-url =https://web.archive.org/web/20170206103738/http://www.nevadaappeal.com/news/government/ross-miller-pushes-later-voter-registration-deadlines/ |url-status =dead }} The bill, however, was vetoed by Governor Brian Sandoval after being approved by both houses.{{Cite web |url =https://www.leg.state.nv.us/Session/77th2013/Reports/history.cfm?ID=1001 |access-date =7 January 2017 |website =Nevada Legislature |title =AB440 }}

In 2014, multiple Democrats asked Spearman to run for governor as no popular Democrats filed for the office, but she decided not to do so.{{Cite web |url =http://www.reviewjournal.com/politics/nevada-governor-s-race-democrats-learned-resistance-futile |title =In Nevada governor's race Democrats learned resistance is futile |date =28 June 2014 |website =Las Vegas Review-Journal |access-date =4 February 2017 |last =Myers |first =Laura }} Later that year, the members of the Legislature convened for a special session in order to approve proposed tax abatements for Tesla Motors, that would then build a battery factory in Nevada. Although Spearman criticized the proposal, because it would eliminate a program that helped small businesses, she voted for it.{{Cite web |url =http://www.nevadaappeal.com/news/government/tesla-package-passes-nevada-legislature-without-dissent/ |last =Dornan |first =Geoff |date =12 September 2014 |website =Nevada Appeal |access-date =7 January 2017 |title =Tesla package passes Nevada Legislature without dissent |archive-date =6 February 2017 |archive-url =https://web.archive.org/web/20170206103838/http://www.nevadaappeal.com/news/government/tesla-package-passes-nevada-legislature-without-dissent/ |url-status =dead }}

During the 2015 regular session, Spearman among other things introduced on behalf of absent Senator Debbie Smith a bill that would have prohibited people convicted of domestic violence and stalking to own guns.{{Cite web |url =http://www.nevadaappeal.com/news/government/nevada-legislature-bill-to-restrict-gun-ownership-introduced-in-senate/ |title =Nevada Legislature: Bill to restrict gun ownership introduced in Senate |date =7 February 2015 |access-date =7 January 2017 |website =Nevada Appeal |last =Dornan |first =Geoff |archive-date =23 February 2017 |archive-url =https://web.archive.org/web/20170223211945/http://www.nevadaappeal.com/news/government/nevada-legislature-bill-to-restrict-gun-ownership-introduced-in-senate/ |url-status =dead }} However, the bill did not pass the Legislature.{{Cite web |url =https://www.leg.state.nv.us/Session/78th2015/Reports/history.cfm?ID=429 |title =SB187 |website =Nevada Legislature |access-date =7 January 2017 }} Besides, she advocated for legislation that provided equal pay for women and minorities. Spearman did so rallying together with other Democrats in front of the Nevada Legislative Building surrounded by supporters.{{Cite web |url =http://www.nevadaappeal.com/news/nevada-legislature-lawmakers-introduce-competing-equal-pay-bills/ |last =Snyder |first =Riley |website =Nevada Appeal |access-date =7 January 2017 |date =24 February 2015 |title =Nevada Legislature: Lawmakers introduce competing equal pay bills |archive-date =6 February 2017 |archive-url =https://web.archive.org/web/20170206103642/http://www.nevadaappeal.com/news/nevada-legislature-lawmakers-introduce-competing-equal-pay-bills/ |url-status =dead }} She argued another bill sponsored by Republican Michael Roberson did not go far enough, but later decided to support it in a bipartisan effort.{{Cite web |url =http://www.nevadaappeal.com/news/nevada-legislature-republicans-pushing-equal-pay-proposal/ |title =Nevada Legislature: Republicans pushing equal pay proposal |date =3 March 2015 |access-date =7 January 2017 |website =Nevada Appeal |last =Snyder |first =Riley |archive-date =6 February 2017 |archive-url =https://web.archive.org/web/20170206103641/http://www.nevadaappeal.com/news/nevada-legislature-republicans-pushing-equal-pay-proposal/ |url-status =dead }} It came no further than passing the Senate.{{Cite web |url =https://www.leg.state.nv.us/Session/78th2015/Reports/history.cfm?ID=381 |title =SB167 |website =Nevada Legislature |access-date =7 January 2017 }} She also tried to provide equal rights for women by introducing a senate joint resolution that would ratify the Equal Rights Amendment, an amendment to the U.S. Constitution, of which the ratification deadline had expired in 1982.{{Cite web |url =http://www.reviewjournal.com/news/nevada-legislature/more-120-bills-introduced-legislature-today-so-far |title =More than 120 bills introduced in Legislature today – so far |website =Las Vegas Review-Journal |access-date =4 February 2017 |last1 =Chereb |first1 =Sandra |last2 =Whaley |first2 =Sean |date =16 March 2015 }} The resolution never came to a vote.{{Cite web |url =https://www.leg.state.nv.us/Session/78th2015/Reports/history.cfm?ID=726 |title =SJR16 |website =Nevada Legislature |access-date =4 February 2017 }}

Furthermore, Spearman helped establish the tax plan for the biennial budget. After Governor Sandoval had revealed his tax plan, Spearman introduced an alternative on March 17.{{Cite web |url =http://www.nevadaappeal.com/news/local/medical-marijuana-to-sick-pets-tick-segerbloms-bill-would-make-it-possible/ |title =Medical marijuana to sick pets? Tick Segerblom's bill would make it possible |date =18 March 2015 |website =Nevada Appeal |access-date =7 January 2017 |archive-date =6 February 2017 |archive-url =https://web.archive.org/web/20170206103837/http://www.nevadaappeal.com/news/local/medical-marijuana-to-sick-pets-tick-segerbloms-bill-would-make-it-possible/ |url-status =dead }} Her tax plan would repeal the payroll tax (also called modified business tax), keep the business license fee at $200 for most companies, and impose a 0.47% gross receipts tax for businesses with a quarterly gross revenue of over $25,000. Spearman wanted to repeal the payroll tax in order to not punish the hiring of people.{{Cite web |url =http://www.reviewjournal.com/taxes/democratic-state-senators-propose-nevada-gross-receipts-tax |title =Democratic state senators propose Nevada gross receipts tax |website =Las Vegas Review-Journal |access-date =4 February 2017 |last =Chereb |first =Sandra |date =17 March 2015 }} She said the plan was not meant to undermine the governor's plan, but to trigger debate, and to provide a choice.{{Cite web |url =http://www.nevadaappeal.com/news/nevada-legislature-3-tax-plans-on-the-table/ |title =Nevada Legislature: 3 tax plans on the table |website =Nevada Appeal |access-date =7 January 2017 |last1 =Rindels |first1 =Michelle |date =23 March 2015 |last2 =Snyder |first2 =Riley |archive-date =6 February 2017 |archive-url =https://web.archive.org/web/20170206103542/http://www.nevadaappeal.com/news/nevada-legislature-3-tax-plans-on-the-table/ |url-status =dead }} The Republican leadership proposed its own tax plan subsequently. Spearman voted in favor of the final plan, that combined all three plans, and was signed into law on June 9.{{Cite web |url =https://www.leg.state.nv.us/Session/78th2015/Reports/history.cfm?ID=1034 |title =SB483 |website =Nevada Legislature |access-date =7 January 2017 }}{{Cite web |url =http://www.nevadaappeal.com/news/nevada-legislature-week-17-big-decisions-as-time-runs-out/ |title =Nevada Legislature Week 17: Big decisions as time runs out |last =Rindels |first =Michelle |website =Nevada Appeal |access-date =7 January 2017 |date =26 May 2015 |archive-date =6 February 2017 |archive-url =https://web.archive.org/web/20170206103736/http://www.nevadaappeal.com/news/nevada-legislature-week-17-big-decisions-as-time-runs-out/ |url-status =dead }} The so-called Nevada Revenue Plan included Spearman's gross receipts tax (under the name Commerce Tax), but the conditions and rates differed: the tax has to be paid by businesses with a gross revenue of over $4 million, and the tax rates differ between 0.051% and 0.331% depending on the business sector. The Tax Foundation criticized such taxes, because they carry a pyramid effect – meaning that products are being taxed on multiple levels – and also tax loss-making businesses. That organization disapproved of the rates as well, since they are based on a one-year study of the economy of Texas.{{Cite web |url =http://taxfoundation.org/article/nevada-approves-commerce-tax-new-tax-business-gross-receipts |website =Tax Foundation |title =Nevada Approves Commerce Tax, A New Tax on Business Gross Receipts |date =8 June 2015 |access-date =7 January 2017 |last =Walczak |first =Jared }}

In December 2015, a special session was called to give tax breaks to Faraday Future, that would in turn build a factory near North Las Vegas. Spearman voted in favor of the tax breaks, and called it a "watershed moment" for her constituents, as the area was hard hit by the recession.{{Cite web |url =http://www.rgj.com/story/news/2015/12/19/nevada-lawmakers-approve-faraday-deal/77644134/ |title =Nevada governor approves $335M Faraday deal |date =19 December 2015 |access-date =5 February 2017 |website =Reno Gazette-Journal |last =Rindels |first =Michelle }} During the last year of her term, 2016, she organized a ceremony as a reaction to the Orlando nightclub shooting at the Gay and Lesbian Community Center of Southern Nevada.{{Cite web |date =12 June 2016 |url =https://lasvegassun.com/news/2016/jun/12/hundreds-gather-in-las-vegas-to-mourn-tragedy-in-o/ |website =Las Vegas Sun |last =Kudialis |first =Chris |title =Hundreds gather in Las Vegas to mourn tragedy in Orlando |access-date =5 February 2017 }} Later that year, Spearman was named member of the newly created New Energy Industry Task Force. The task force was created by Governor Sandoval in order to advise his administration on ways to promote renewable energy.{{Cite web |url =http://www.reviewjournal.com/business/energy/sandoval-reactivates-renewable-energy-task-force |title =Sandoval reactivates renewable energy task force |date =23 February 2016 |website =Las Vegas Review-Journal |last =Chereb |first =Sandra |access-date =4 February 2017 }}

= 2016 election and second term =

Spearman sought re-election in 2016, when her first term ended. She was challenged by Republican Arsen Ter-Petrosyan, who had never run for office before.{{Cite web |url =http://www.reviewjournal.com/politics/election-2016/state-senate-district-1 |title =State Senate District 1 |date =25 October 2016 |website =Las Vegas Review-Journal |last =Munks |first =Jamie |access-date =4 February 2017 }} During the campaign season, Spearman supported presidential candidate Hillary Clinton, and held a speech at the Democratic National Convention on July 25, talking about LGBT rights, and saying how the Republican presidential ticket would threaten those rights.{{Cite web |url =http://www.reviewjournal.com/politics/slash-politics/whos-whom-nevada |title =Who's for whom in Nevada? |date =27 July 2015 |website =Las Vegas Review-Journal |last =Sebelius |first =Steve |access-date =4 February 2017 }}{{Cite news |url =https://www.washingtonpost.com/graphics/politics/2016-election/democratic-national-convention-speaker-schedule/ |newspaper =The Washington Post |title =Schedule: Who will speak in Philadelphia during the 2016 Democratic National Convention |date =15 July 2015 |access-date =7 January 2017 }}{{Cite web |url =https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=orQQqhCEFMg |author =Democratic National Convention |title =State Senator Pat Spearman at DNC 2016 |website =YouTube |date =26 July 2016 |access-date =7 January 2017 }} During her own campaign, Spearman said schools had to adapt to the available career opportunities. Moreover, she supported Ballot Question 2, a voter initiative to legalize cannabis. During a council meeting of the League of Women Voters of Las Vegas, she said she would introduce bills concerning equal pay, the ratification of the Equal Rights Amendment, and voter registration.{{Cite web |url =http://www.reviewjournal.com/view/league-women-voters-strives-create-nonpartisan-progress-las-vegas |title =League of Women Voters strives to create nonpartisan progress in Las Vegas |date =4 August 2016 |website =Las Vegas Review-Journal |last =Digiovanna |first =Gina Rose |access-date =4 February 2017 }} She won the election, that was held on November 8, with 65% of the votes. She had raised over $235,000.{{Cite web |url =http://nvsos.gov/SOSCandidateServices/AnonymousAccess/ViewCCEReport.aspx?syn=z4lXTbuwMvL4MRLqWUnNug%253d%253d |date =17 January 2017 |title =2016 Contributions & Expenses Report #5 |website =Secretary of State of Nevada |access-date =10 February 2017}}

After her re-election, she became part of the leadership as co-majority whip together with Joyce Woodhouse.{{Cite web |url =http://www.nevadaappeal.com/news/government/jason-frierson-named-assembly-speaker-for-2017-nevada-legislature/ |title =Jason Frierson named Assembly speaker for 2017 Nevada Legislature; Aaron Ford named Majority Leader |date =10 November 2016 |website =Nevada Appeal |access-date =7 January 2017 |archive-date =6 February 2017 |archive-url =https://web.archive.org/web/20170206103538/http://www.nevadaappeal.com/news/government/jason-frierson-named-assembly-speaker-for-2017-nevada-legislature/ |url-status =dead }}

= 2020 election and final term =

Spearman was elected in 2020 to a third and final term in the Senate and was termed out in the 2024 Nevada Senate election. Michelee “Shelly” Cruz-Crawford, a Democrat and first-term Nevada System of Higher Education Regent, was elected to succeed Spearman in SD 1.{{Cite web |title=State Senate General Election Results 2024 |url=https://silverstateelection.nv.gov/NVSenate/ |access-date=2024-11-25 |website=silverstateelection.nv.gov}}

= Committee membership =

2013 session:
Senate Committee on Legislative Operations and Elections - chair{{Cite web |url =https://www.leg.state.nv.us/Session/77th2013/Committees/S_Committees/LOE.cfm |website =Nevada Legislature |access-date =6 January 2017 |title =77th (2013) Session: Senate Legislative Operations and Elections }}
Senate Committee on Government Affairs - vice chair{{Cite web |url =https://www.leg.state.nv.us/Session/77th2013/Committees/S_Committees/GA.cfm |website =Nevada Legislature |access-date =6 January 2017 |title =77th (2013) Session: Senate Government Affairs }}
Senate Committee on Transportation{{Cite web |url =https://www.leg.state.nv.us/Session/77th2013/Committees/S_Committees/TRN.cfm |website =Nevada Legislature |access-date =6 January 2017 |title =77th (2013) Session: Senate Transportation }}
2015 session:
Senate Committee on Commerce, Labor and Energy{{Cite web |url =https://www.leg.state.nv.us/App/NELIS/REL/78th2015/Committee/68/Overview |website =Nevada Legislature |access-date =6 January 2017 |title =Senate Commerce, Labor and Energy (CL) }}
Senate Committee on Revenue and Economic Development{{Cite web |url =https://www.leg.state.nv.us/App/NELIS/REL/78th2015/Committee/53/Overview |website =Nevada Legislature |access-date =6 January 2017 |title =Senate Revenue and Economic Development (REV) }}
Senate Committee on Health and Human Services (substituting for Debbie Smith when she was treated for a brain tumor){{Cite web |url =http://www.reviewjournal.com/news/nevada-legislature/3-state-senators-fill-while-sen-smith-undergoes-brain-surgery |title =3 state senators to fill in while Sen. Smith undergoes brain surgery |date =5 February 2015 |website =Las Vegas Review-Journal |last =Chereb |first =Sandra |access-date =4 February 2017 }}
2017 session:
Senate Committee on Health and Human Services - chair{{Cite web |url =https://www.leg.state.nv.us/App/NELIS/REL/79th2017/Committee/180/Overview |website =Nevada Legislature |access-date =6 January 2017 |title =Senate Health and Human Services (HHS) }}
Senate Committee on Commerce, Labor and Energy - vice chair{{Cite web |url =https://www.leg.state.nv.us/App/NELIS/REL/79th2017/Committee/187/Overview |website =Nevada Legislature |access-date =6 January 2017 |title =Senate Commerce, Labor and Energy (CLE) }}
Senate Committee on Education{{Cite web |url =https://www.leg.state.nv.us/App/NELIS/REL/79th2017/Committee/185/Overview |website =Nevada Legislature |access-date =6 January 2017 |title =Senate Education (EDU) }}
2019 session:
Senate Committee on Commerce and Labor - chair{{Cite web |url =https://www.leg.state.nv.us/App/NELIS/REL/80th2019/Committee/215/Overview |website =Nevada Legislature |access-date =21 February 2020 |title =Senate Commerce and Labor (CL) }}
Senate Committee on Health and Human Services - vice chair{{Cite web |url =https://www.leg.state.nv.us/App/NELIS/REL/80th2019/Committee/221/Overview |website =Nevada Legislature |access-date =21 February 2020 |title =Senate Health and Human Services (HHS) }}
Senate Committee on Growth and Infrastructure{{Cite web |url =https://www.leg.state.nv.us/App/NELIS/REL/80th2019/Committee/231/Overview |website =Nevada Legislature |access-date =21 February 2020 |title =Senate Growth and Infrastructure (GRI) }}

Personal life

Spearman is African-American, and she was the first openly lesbian member of the Nevada Legislature.{{Cite web |url =http://www.reviewjournal.com/news/nevada-legislature/nevada-legislature-opens-tears-and-harmony |date =4 February 2013 |website =Las Vegas Review-Journal |access-date =4 February 2017 |last1 =Vogel |first1 =Ed |last2 =Whaley |first2 =Sean |title =Nevada Legislature opens with tears and harmony }} State senator David Parks was previously the only openly LGBT senator in Nevada.{{Cite web |url =http://www.reviewjournal.com/news/nevada-legislature/gay-marriage-views-shifting-nevada-legislature |date =28 April 2013 |website =Las Vegas Review-Journal |access-date =4 February 2017 |last1 =Vogel |first1 =Ed |last2 =Whaley |first2 =Sean |title =Gay marriage views shifting in Nevada Legislature }} Two decades earlier – in 1992 – Spearman married Donald Brewington, who was a pastor as well, in San Antonio.{{Cite magazine |page =31 |date =30 March 1992 |volume =81 |number =23 |title =Ministers Wed |url =https://books.google.com/books?id=4MADAAAAMBAJ |magazine =Jet |location =Chicago |publisher =Johnson Publishing Company |access-date =4 February 2017 }} She adopted a teenage son, Na’Onche Osborne, who had previously experienced a troubled childhood resulting in Post-traumatic stress disorder. Osborne was shot to death at a North Las Vegas casino on April 1, 2025.{{Cite web |date=2025-03-29 |title=Man shot dead at North Las Vegas casino is former state senator’s son |url=https://www.reviewjournal.com/crime/homicides/victim-in-nlv-fatal-shooting-that-led-to-carjackings-idd-3344024/ |access-date=2025-04-02 |website=Las Vegas Review-Journal |language=en-US}}

Electoral history

= 2022 =

{{Election box begin no party no change|title=2022 North Las Vegas mayoral election Results{{cite web|url=https://www.nvsos.gov/sos/home/showpublisheddocument/10306/637834812920758956|title=2022 Statewide and Multi-County Candidate Filing - By Office|access-date=14 July 2022}}{{cite web |title=Clark County - 2022 Primary Election Results |work=Nevada Secretary of State |url=https://silverstateelection.nv.gov/county-results/clark.shtml}}}}

{{Election box winning candidate no party no change|candidate=Pamela Goynes-Brown|votes=9,762|percentage=36.91}}

{{Election box winning candidate no party no change|candidate=Pat Spearman|votes=4,526|percentage=17.11}}

{{Election box candidate no party no change|candidate=Robert Taylor|votes=3,707|percentage=14.02}}

{{Election box candidate no party no change|candidate=Nathan Atkins|votes=3,374|percentage=12.76}}

{{Election box candidate no party no change|candidate=Jesse Addison III|votes=1,851|percentage=7.00}}

{{Election box candidate no party no change|candidate=Gary Bouchard|votes=1,743|percentage=6.59}}

{{Election box candidate no party no change|candidate=Laura Perkins|votes=1,485|percentage=5.61}}

{{Election box total no party no change|votes=26,448|percentage=100.00}}

{{Election box end}}{{Election box begin no change | title=North Las Vegas, Nevada mayoral election, November 8, 2022 runoff}}

{{Election box winning candidate with party link no change

|party = Nonpartisan candidate

|candidate = Pamela Goynes-Brown

|votes = 40,105

|percentage = 65.7

}}

{{Election box candidate with party link no change

|party = Nonpartisan candidate

|candidate = Pat Spearman

|votes = 20,928

|percentage = 34.3

}}

= 2020 =

{{Election box begin no change |title=Nevada State Senate, District 1 General Election, 2020{{Cite web |url=https://www.nvsos.gov/silverstate2020gen/NVSenate/ |title=State Senate |website =Nevada Secretary of State |date=8 November 2020}}}}

{{Election box winning candidate with party link no change

|party = Democratic Party (US)

|candidate = Pat Spearman

|votes = 51,648

|percentage = 100.0

}}

{{Election box candidate with party link no change

|party =

|candidate =

|votes =

|percentage =

}}

= 2016 =

{{Election box begin no change | title=Nevada State Senate, District 1 General Election, 2016{{Cite web |url =http://silverstateelection.com/NVSenate/ |title =State Senate |website =Silver State Election |date =22 November 2016 |access-date =6 January 2017 |archive-date =19 November 2016 |archive-url =https://web.archive.org/web/20161119154901/http://silverstateelection.com/NVSenate/ |url-status =dead }}}}

{{Election box winning candidate with party link no change

|party = Democratic Party (US)

|candidate = Pat Spearman

|votes = 33,688

|percentage = 65.4

}}

{{Election box candidate with party link no change

|party = Republican Party (US)

|candidate = Arsen Ter-Petrosyan

|votes = 17,800

|percentage = 34.6

}}

= 2012 =

{{Election box begin no change | title=Nevada State Senate, District 1 Primary Election, 2012{{Cite web |url =http://www.nvsos.gov/SilverState2012Pri/stateSenate.aspx |title =State Senate |website =Nevada Secretary of State |access-date =6 January 2017 }}}}

{{Election box winning candidate with party link no change

|party = Democratic Party (US)

|candidate = Pat Spearman

|votes = 2,244

|percentage = 63.0

}}

{{Election box candidate with party link no change

|party = Democratic Party (US)

|candidate = John Jay Lee

|votes = 1,318

|percentage = 37.0

}}

{{Election box begin no change | title=Nevada State Senate, District 1 General Election, 2012{{Cite web |url =http://www.nvsos.gov/silverstate2012gen/NVSenate/ |title =State Senate |website =Nevada Secretary of State |date =27 November 2012 |access-date =6 January 2017 }}}}

{{Election box winning candidate with party link no change

|party = Democratic Party (US)

|candidate = Pat Spearman

|votes = 29,026

|percentage = 68.7

}}

{{Election box candidate with party link no change

|party = Independent American Party of Nevada

|candidate = Gregory Hughes

|votes = 13,221

|percentage = 31.3

}}

References

External links

[https://www.leg.state.nv.us/App/Legislator/A/Senate/Current/1 Profile] at the Nevada Senate
[https://www.patspearman.com/ Campaign website]
{{C-SPAN|103380}}

{{s-ttl|title=President pro tempore of the Nevada Senate|years=2023–2025}}

Category:1955 births

Category:21st-century American women politicians

Category:21st-century members of the Nevada Legislature

Category:African-American female military personnel

Category:African-American LGBTQ people

Category:African-American state legislators in Nevada

Category:African-American United States Army personnel

Category:American lesbian politicians

Category:American LGBTQ military personnel

Category:American Protestant ministers and clergy

Category:Equal Rights Amendment activists