{{short description|President pro tempore of the Nevada Senate}} {{Infobox officeholder |name = Mo Denis |image = Moises Denis LV.jpg |office = President of the Nevada Senate |status = Acting |term_start = September 17, 2021 |term_end = December 16, 2021 |predecessor = Kate Marshall |successor = Lisa Cano Burkhead |office1 = President pro tempore of the Nevada Senate |term_start1 = November 9, 2016 |term_end1 = November 9, 2022 |predecessor1 = Joe Hardy |successor1 = Pat Spearman |office2 = Majority Leader of the Nevada Senate |term_start2 = February 4, 2013 |term_end2 = November 5, 2014 |predecessor2 = Steven Horsford |successor2 = Michael Roberson |state_senate3 = Nevada |district3 = 2nd |term_start3 = November 3, 2010 |term_end3 = November 9, 2022 |predecessor3 = Maggie Carlton |successor3 = Edgar Flores |state_assembly4 = Nevada |district4 = 28th |term_start4 = November 3, 2004 |term_end4 = November 3, 2010 |predecessor4 = Vonne Chowning |successor4 = Lucy Flores |birth_date = {{birth date and age|1961|8|9}} |birth_place = New York City, New York, U.S. |death_date = |death_place = |party = Democratic |spouse = Susan Cook |children = 5 |education = Brigham Young University {{small|(BA)}} }} '''Moises Denis''' (born August 9, 1961) is an American politician who served as President ''pro tempore'' of the Nevada Senate between 2016 and 2022. A member of the Democratic Party, he represented the 2nd district in the Nevada Senate between 2010 and 2022, covering parts of the eastern Las Vegas Valley. He was previously a member of the Nevada Assembly from 2004 to 2010, representing Assembly District 28 in the same area.
==Biography== Denis was born in New York City to parents who had immigrated from Cuba. Denis is Mormon. He served a mission for the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in Uruguay. He studied at Brigham Young University. He has also served as a bishop in the LDS Church as well as in other positions. He is a cousin of United States Senator from Florida Marco Rubio.<ref>{{cite news|last=Haberman|first=Maggie|title=Rubio went to a Mormon church as a kid|url=https://www.politico.com/blogs/burns-haberman/2012/02/rubio-went-to-a-mormon-church-as-a-kid-115330|access-date=26 February 2012|newspaper=Politico}}</ref><ref name="marcorubioreturnsbbc">{{cite news|last1=Zurcher|first1=Anthony|title=Marco Rubio returns to his roots in Nevada|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/election-us-2016-35635008|access-date=March 1, 2016|work=BBC News|date=February 23, 2016|quote=Michelle's older brother, Moises Denis, didn't attend the Sunday night rally and, as a Democratic politician representing Las Vegas in the Nevada Senate, is on the opposite side of the political divide from his relative.}}</ref> In 2019, an interview with Denis' sister stated that she was concerned for those unable to afford housing and living out of their cars.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.deseret.com/indepth/2019/10/19/20897026/living-in-car-seattle-homeless|title=People who can't afford rent are living in their cars, and cities aren't sure what to do about them|last=Graham|first=Jennifer|date=2019-10-19|website=Deseret News|language=en|access-date=2022-01-26}}</ref> Denis is a computer technician.<ref name ="LEG">{{cite web |url= https://www.leg.state.nv.us/Division/Research/Library/Documents/LegislatorDB/Bios/Haller,K1993.pdf |title= Nevada Legislators |accessdate= January 26, 2022}}</ref>
==Political career== Denis served three terms in the Nevada Assembly from 2004 to 2010, and served three term as a state senator between 2010 and 2022. He has frequently run unopposed or won lopsided victories. Denis led his caucus' re-election efforts in the 2012 cycle and served as Senate Majority Leader from 2013 to 2014.<ref name="LEG" /><ref name="RJ">{{cite news|last1=Vogel|first1=Ed|title='Mo' Denis ready to lead legislative Democrats|url=https://www.reviewjournal.com/news/politics-and-government/nevada/mo-denis-ready-to-lead-legislative-democrats/|access-date=January 26, 2022|work=Las Vegas Review-Journal|date=November 14, 2011}}</ref> In December 2011, Denis resigned from his job with the Nevada Public Utilities Commission following an alleged conflict between his executive and legislative roles.<ref>{{cite news|last1=Schwartz|first1=David McGrath|title=Mo Denis, target of suit challenging public employees in Legislature, leaving job with state|url=https://lasvegassun.com/news/2011/dec/19/mo-denis-target-suit-challenging-public-employees-/|access-date=January 26, 2022|work=Las Vegas Sun|date=December 19, 2011}}</ref> Denis is the first Latino person to serve as Majority Leader of the Nevada Senate (or leader of any caucus).<ref name= "RJ" />
== Electoral history == *'''2018''' Denis was unopposed in the primary election.<ref>{{cite web |url= https://www.nvsos.gov/SOSelectionPages/results/2018StateWidePrimary/ElectionSummary.aspx |title= 2018 Statewide Primary Election Results |publisher= Secretary of State of Nevada |location= Carson City, Nevada |accessdate= January 26, 2022}}</ref> He defeated Republican candidate Cal Border in the general election with 13,717 votes (79.50%).<ref>{{cite web |url= https://www.nvsos.gov/SOSelectionPages/results/2014StateWideGeneral/ElectionSummary.aspx |title= 2014 Statewide Primary Election Results |publisher= Secretary of State of Nevada |location= Carson City, Nevada |accessdate= January 26, 2022}}</ref> *'''2014''' Denis was unopposed in the primary election.<ref>{{cite web |url= https://www.nvsos.gov/SOSelectionPages/results/2014StateWidePrimary/ElectionSummary.aspx |title= 2014 Statewide Primary Election Results |publisher= Secretary of State of Nevada |location= Carson City, Nevada |accessdate= January 26, 2022}}</ref> He defeated Independent American Party candidate Louis Baker in the general election with 5,683 votes (76.37%).<ref>{{cite web |url= https://www.nvsos.gov/SOSelectionPages/results/2014StateWideGeneral/ElectionSummary.aspx |title= 2014 Statewide Primary Election Results |publisher= Secretary of State of Nevada |location= Carson City, Nevada |accessdate= January 26, 2022}}</ref> *'''2010''' Incumbent Senator Maggie Carlton was term-limited out of Senate District 2, which overlapped with Denis' Assembly district.<ref>{{cite news|last1=Schwartz|first1=David McGrath|title=Lawmakers' eyes widen at term limit vacancies|url=https://lasvegassun.com/news/2009/jul/08/lawmakers-eyes-widen-term-limit-vacancies/|access-date=January 26, 2022|work=Las Vegas Sun|date=July 8, 2009}}</ref> Denis ran to replace her and was unopposed in both the primary and general elections.<ref>{{cite web |url= https://www.nvsos.gov/SOSelectionPages/results/2010StateWidePrimary/ElectionSummary.aspx |title= 2010 Statewide Primary Election Results |publisher= Secretary of State of Nevada |location= Carson City, Nevada |accessdate= January 26, 2022}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url= https://www.nvsos.gov/SOSelectionPages/results/2010StateWideGeneral/ElectionSummary.aspx |title= 2010 Statewide Primary Election Results |publisher= Secretary of State of Nevada |location= Carson City, Nevada |accessdate= January 26, 2022}}</ref> *'''2008''' Denis was unopposed in the primary.<ref>{{cite web |url= https://www.nvsos.gov/SOSelectionPages/results/2008StateWidePrimary/ElectionSummary.aspx |title= 2008 Statewide Primary Election Results |publisher= Secretary of State of Nevada |location= Carson City, Nevada |accessdate= January 26, 2022}}</ref> He defeated Republican candidate Tino Mendoza in the general election with 4,664 votes (78.86%).<ref>{{cite web |url= https://www.nvsos.gov/SOSelectionPages/results/2008StateWideGeneral/ElectionSummary.aspx |title= 2008 Statewide Primary Election Results |publisher= Secretary of State of Nevada |location= Carson City, Nevada |accessdate= January 26, 2022}}</ref> *'''2006''' Denis was unopposed in both the primary and general elections.<ref>{{cite web |url= https://www.nvsos.gov/SOSelectionPages/results/2006StateWidePrimary/ElectionSummary.aspx |title= 2006 Statewide Primary Election Results |publisher= Secretary of State of Nevada |location= Carson City, Nevada |accessdate= January 26, 2022}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url= https://www.nvsos.gov/SOSelectionPages/results/2006StateWideGeneral/ElectionSummary.aspx |title= 2006 Statewide Primary Election Results |publisher= Secretary of State of Nevada |location= Carson City, Nevada |accessdate= January 26, 2022}}</ref> *'''2004''' After incumbent Vonne Chowning did not seek re-election in Assembly District 28, Denis won the primary with 800 votes (51.38%) against Eddie Flores and Rosa Mendoza.<ref>{{cite web |url= https://www.nvsos.gov/SOSelectionPages/results/2004Primary/ElectionSummary.aspx |title= 2004 Statewide Primary Election Results |publisher= Secretary of State of Nevada |location= Carson City, Nevada |accessdate= January 26, 2022}}</ref> He then won the general election with 4,218 votes (75.51%) against Republican nominee Benjamin Bell.<ref>{{cite web |url= https://www.nvsos.gov/SOSelectionPages/results/2004General/ElectionSummary.aspx |title= 2004 Statewide General Election Results |publisher= Secretary of State of Nevada |location= Carson City, Nevada |accessdate= January 26, 2022}}</ref> *'''2002''' Denis ran in the Democratic primary for Assembly District 28, but was defeated by incumbent Assemblywoman Vonne Chowning who had 601 votes (52.72%) compared to Denis' 539 votes (47.28%).<ref>{{cite web |url= https://www.nvsos.gov/SOSelectionPages/results/2002Primary/Clark.aspx |title= 2002 Clark Primary Election Results |publisher= Secretary of State of Nevada |location= Carson City, Nevada |accessdate= January 26, 2022}}</ref>
== References == {{Reflist}}
== External links == * [https://senatormodenis.com/ Campaign website] *[http://www.votesmart.org/bio.php?can_id=43820 Project Vote Smart - Assembly Member Moises 'Mo' Denis (NV)] profile *''Follow the Money'' - Mo Denis *{{C-SPAN|104983}}
{{s-start}} {{s-par|us-nv-sen}} {{s-bef|before=Steven Horsford}} {{s-ttl|title=Majority Leader of the Nevada Senate|years=2013–2014}} {{s-aft|after=Michael Roberson}} |- {{s-bef|before=Joe Hardy}} {{s-ttl|title=President pro tempore of the Nevada Senate|years=2016–2022}} {{s-aft|after=Pat Spearman}} |- {{s-off}} {{s-bef|before=Kate Marshall}} {{s-ttl|title=President of the Nevada Senate<br>Acting|years=2021}} {{s-aft|after=Lisa Cano Burkhead}} {{s-end}}
{{DEFAULTSORT:Denis, Mo}} Category:1961 births Category:21st-century members of the Nevada Legislature Category:American politicians of Cuban descent Category:Brigham Young University alumni Category:Democratic Party members of the Nevada Assembly Category:Democratic Party Nevada state senators Category:Hispanic and Latino American state legislators in Nevada Category:Latter Day Saints from Nevada Category:Latter Day Saints from New York (state) Category:Living people Category:Politicians from Las Vegas