Laura Martin, the Executive Director of the Progressive Leadership Alliance of Nevada (PLAN), leads an organization dedicated to advancing progressive causes and candidates in Nevada. The coalition, comprising more than 30 organizations, including Planned Parenthood, Chispa, Mass Liberation Project, Silver State Equality, and the Culinary Union, wants to make Nevada a more “socially and environmentally just state.”
On Saturday, July 13, Martin made controversial posts wishing for news about the death of President Donald Trump and claimed the recent assassination attempt at Trump’s rally in Pennsylvania was “staged.”
Despite PLAN’s non-partisan stance, Martin’s social media history contains numerous incendiary remarks directed at Republican candidates and officials, both within and outside of Nevada. Nevertheless, the Nevada Democratic Party and elected Democratic officials continue to work with PLAN on legislation affecting Nevadans.
Martin’s “Planistas” are activists and community organizers who influence state Democratic lawmakers, such as Assemblywoman Cecilia Gonzalez, during legislative sessions to promote progressive legislation. Gonzalez, who became involved with PLAN as a Planista in 2015 out of anger, has sponsored criminal justice reform legislation that PLAN endorses. During a live chat on Instagram, Gonzalez promised to reintroduce the legislation in the next legislative session in 2025.
Democratic candidates and elected officials frequently praise PLAN’s organizing efforts, endorsements, and voter engagement, which have been instrumental in their electoral victories. For instance, in 2018, Jacky Rosen acknowledged PLAN’s significant contributions to her campaign, calling their efforts “important work.”
However, the Nevada GOP has called on Nevada Democrats to denounce Martin’s statements, describing them as “classless” and indicative of “what is wrong with America.”
In response, a spokesperson from Rosen’s campaign stated to The Globe, saying, “Senator Rosen strongly disagrees with these comments and believes that calls for political violence and hate have no place in this country. She has called for us to come together as Americans and reject baseless conspiracy theories on both sides.”
Similarly, Senator Catherine Cortez Masto’s spokesperson, Lauren Wodarski, stated, “Senator Cortez Masto believes calls for political violence are wrong and strongly condemns the irresponsible rhetoric from Laura Martin.”
Chris D’Aloia, Communications Director for Rep. Susie Lee, said, “Congresswoman Lee strongly denounces political violence and any calls for it, including the disturbing comments from Laura Martin.”
Hell, in 2006, I lost a newspaper gig because I publicly stated through social media that a Republican candidate who complained to the editor, claiming I continuously ignored him, had nothing in his “war chest if all he could do was blame a reporter for his failing campaign.”
The Old Blog in the Desert 
Leave a comment