April Becker’s Lone “No” Vote Was a Win for the People

When the Clark County Commission voted on a major road-funding measure this week, only one commissioner stood firm and said “no.”
That commissioner was April Becker—and despite the uproar now coming from labor unions, her vote was the right call for taxpayers.

Within hours, LIUNA Local 872 publicly rescinded their endorsement of her, blasting her decision as a betrayal of workers, safety, and infrastructure needs. But the attack ignores a critical truth: Becker’s lone “no” vote wasn’t anti-worker. It was anti-blank-check taxation and pro-transparency—a stance many hard-working Nevadans desperately want to see more of.

At the heart of the issue is fuel tax indexing, a system that automatically increases gas taxes each year to fund road construction. While unions favor that steady revenue stream, everyday residents pay for it at the pump—without clear visibility into where the money goes or whether projects are prioritized responsibly. Becker’s refusal to rubber-stamp another automatic increase forced the county to confront a long-avoided question:

Do Nevadans deserve accountability before we ask them to pay more?

By standing alone, Becker didn’t vote against roads. She voted for taxpayers who are stretched thin and tired of seeing “temporary” taxes become permanent pipelines for unchecked spending.

But her courage has political consequences—and they extend far beyond Clark County.

Governor Joe Lombardo recently made waves after securing a high-profile endorsement from the Clark County Education Association (CCEA). It was a rare and significant departure from the typical union-versus-Republican dynamic—and a sign that Lombardo is attempting to build an unusually broad 2026 coalition.

But Becker’s situation exposes the fragility of that strategy.

If a major labor union is willing to punish a Republican commissioner for a single fiscally responsible vote, it raises a critical question for Lombardo:

How stable is union support when Republicans won’t vote exactly how labor wants—every time?

CCEA’s endorsement of Lombardo shocked many on the left and irritated some on the right. But Becker’s treatment sends a warning:

Union support may only extend as far as compliance. One step out of line, and the political blowback is immediate.

This moment could signal several outcomes:

• Labor may be selectively courting Republicans—but only those who align with their agenda.
• Down-ballot Republicans could suffer for taking principled stands that don’t align with union priorities.
• Lombardo’s endorsement may be less a real realignment and more a transactional exception—one labor could revoke or weaponize if he dares to cross them.

Becker was the only commissioner willing to stand up for taxpayers in a room full of unanimous “yes” votes. That takes real political courage.

Nevadans should be watching closely. Because if unions are already punishing politicians like Becker, Lombardo may soon face the same dilemma:
Lead for the people—or appease organizations whose support lasts only as long as their demands are met.

Becker chose the people.