John Jay Lee
Encyclopedia
John Jay Lee is a Democratic
candidate for United States Congress, and is a member of the Nevada Senate
, representing Clark County District 1 (map) since 2005. Previously he was a member of the Nevada Assembly
from 1997 through 2001.
Lee’s first job was in the culinary union as a dishwasher at the Silver Nugget on the Las Vegas Boulevard. In 1975, John started working in the plumbing trade. He learned the trade-craft while working on various construction sites around the valley, using the family station wagon as his plumbing truck.
In 1991, Lee started Vegas Plumbing, Inc, which he owns and operates today.
Lee was elected to the Nevada Assembly in 1996 and served in the Assembly until 2001. He was elected to the Nevada Senate in 2005, where he served as a member of the Legislative Operations and Elections, and the Energy, Infrastructure, and Transportation committees. In 2008, southern Nevadans overwhelmingly elected Lee to represent them for a second term in the Nevada State Senate and he serves as the Majority Whip and Chairman of Government Affairs.
A fiscal conservative, Lee has worked to hold the line on higher taxes. As an advocate for education Lee has worked to close the funding gap that exists between schools located in the north and south of the state. Lee introduced a bill to change the current funding formula which he argued underfunds higher education in Clark County.
On August 1, 2011, Senator Lee announced his candidacy for U.S. Congress for the 2012 election cycle.
In 2007 Lee was diagnosed with stage IV cancer, which he overcame in 2009.
Lee is an active member of the Boy Scouts of America Executive Board. His commitment to the Boy Scouts began through his affiliation with the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.
Democratic Party (United States)
The Democratic Party is one of two major contemporary political parties in the United States, along with the Republican Party. The party's socially liberal and progressive platform is largely considered center-left in the U.S. political spectrum. The party has the lengthiest record of continuous...
candidate for United States Congress, and is a member of the Nevada Senate
Nevada Senate
The Nevada Senate is the upper house of the Nevada Legislature, the state legislature of U.S. state of Nevada. The Senate consists of 21 members from 19 districts, two of which are multimember. Each senator represented approximately 94,700 people as of the 2000 census, although 2006 Census Bureau...
, representing Clark County District 1 (map) since 2005. Previously he was a member of the Nevada Assembly
Nevada Assembly
The Nevada Assembly is the lower house of the Nevada Legislature, the state legislature of the U.S. state of Nevada. The body consists of 42 members, elected to two-year terms from single-member districts. Each Assembly district contained approximately 47,400 people as of the 2000 census, although...
from 1997 through 2001.
Early life
John Lee was born on the U.S. Air Force Base in Middlesex, England where his father was enlisted. At the age of six, John moved to North Las Vegas, in Clark County, Nevada. John attended Lincoln Elementary School, Quannah McCall Elementary School, St. Christopher’s, Marion E. Cahlan Elementary School, Bridger Junior High and Rancho High School. As a boy, he was active in Boy Scouts and earned his Eagle Scout.Lee’s first job was in the culinary union as a dishwasher at the Silver Nugget on the Las Vegas Boulevard. In 1975, John started working in the plumbing trade. He learned the trade-craft while working on various construction sites around the valley, using the family station wagon as his plumbing truck.
In 1991, Lee started Vegas Plumbing, Inc, which he owns and operates today.
Political career
Lee began his public service career by serving on a myriad of city and county boards:- One Citizen's Advisory Commission, Las Vegas Valley Water District: Member (1994-1996)
- City of Las Vegas Parks and Recreation Board: Member (1995-1997)
- Clark County Comprehensive Planning and Steering Committee: Member (1995-1998)
- City of Las Vegas Parking and Traffic Commission: Vice Chairman (1995-2002)
- Regional Transportation Commission: Chairmain, Citizen's Bus Shelter Advisory Committee (2007-2008)
- Clark County Shooting Range: Chairman (2002-Present)
- Boy Scouts of America: Member of Executive Board (2003-Present)
Lee was elected to the Nevada Assembly in 1996 and served in the Assembly until 2001. He was elected to the Nevada Senate in 2005, where he served as a member of the Legislative Operations and Elections, and the Energy, Infrastructure, and Transportation committees. In 2008, southern Nevadans overwhelmingly elected Lee to represent them for a second term in the Nevada State Senate and he serves as the Majority Whip and Chairman of Government Affairs.
A fiscal conservative, Lee has worked to hold the line on higher taxes. As an advocate for education Lee has worked to close the funding gap that exists between schools located in the north and south of the state. Lee introduced a bill to change the current funding formula which he argued underfunds higher education in Clark County.
On August 1, 2011, Senator Lee announced his candidacy for U.S. Congress for the 2012 election cycle.
Family & personal life
Lee met his first girlfriend, Marilyn Ruesch, in high school on a blind date. They married and had their first two children to the family a year apart. Today,they are the parents of seven children and fourteen grandchildren, including a Miss Nevada.In 2007 Lee was diagnosed with stage IV cancer, which he overcame in 2009.
Lee is an active member of the Boy Scouts of America Executive Board. His commitment to the Boy Scouts began through his affiliation with the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.
External links
- Nevada State Legislature - Senator John Jay Lee official government website
- Project Vote Smart - Senator John Jay Lee (NV) profile
- Follow the Money - John Jay Lee