Democratic Assemblywoman Sabra Smith Newby will resign from the Legislature to serve as a Las Vegas deputy city manager.
The City Council today voted unanimously to ratify her selection by City Manager Mike Janssen.
Newby said she committed her career to public service and considered it “a privilege to serve the employees and the citizens of this fine city.”
“I was born and raised in Las Vegas. It is where I make my home and raise my own children now, and it’s given so much to me that I believe I have so much to give back,” she said.
Newby, 47, who represents Assembly District 10, which covers parts of Las Vegas, was appointed to an open seat in January after then-Assemblywoman Rochelle Nguyen, a fellow Democrat, was appointed to the state Senate.
Newby is also vice president of government and community affairs at UNLV, according to her LinkedIn page. Before that, she was Reno’s city manager from May 2017 to May 2020.
She previously spent a decade working in various roles for Clark County.
Newby graduated from Bishop Gorman High School in 1995.
She earned an undergraduate degree in political science and economics from Wellesley College in Massachusetts. She holds a master’s degree in public policy from the Harvard University.
Assembly Speaker Steve Yeager said he was sad Newby was leaving the Legislature but excited for her new role.
“Her dedication to public service and her proven leadership skills will make her a valuable asset to the city of Las Vegas,” he said.
Newby’s Assembly seat will remain vacant until the 2024 election, unless a special legislative session is called. In that case, the Clark County Commission would appoint a member of the same party to fill the seat.
Newby will earn $230,000 a year plus benefits to oversee neighborhood services, government affairs and youth development and social initiatives.
The council today also ratified Steve Ford, the city’s Parks, Recreation and Cultural Affairs director, as a deputy city manager. Ford has been with the city since 1997.
Before joining the parks department, Ford spent 23 years in the departments of Public Works and Operations and Maintenance.
“I am truly honored at this and I’ve said this many, many times … I only hope my contribution is acceptable,” Ford said.
Ford is a graduate of Brigham Young University and the Air Force Institute of Technology. He served as a member of the U.S. Air Force and Air Force Reserves for 23 years, retiring as a lieutenant colonel.
Ford will manage three departments: Parks, Recreation and Cultural Affairs; Public Works; and Community Development.
Ford will earn $227,000 a year plus benefits in his new position.