Nevada Lt. Gov. Envisions Space Tourism as Next Big Industry
Nevada Lieutenant Governor Stavros Anthony is charting an ambitious course for the Silver State’s economic future, proposing space tourism as its next major industry. With tech mogul Elon Musk holding significant business interests within Nevada, Anthony believes the state is uniquely positioned to attract such a venture.
From Law Enforcement to State Leadership
Anthony’s own career path has been anything but conventional. Before entering politics, he dedicated nearly three decades to law enforcement. His public service extended to the state’s higher education system as a regent and a long tenure on the Las Vegas City Council. He mounted a vigorous campaign for Las Vegas mayor before being elected Lieutenant Governor alongside Governor Joe Lombardo in 2022. Notably, their victory marked the only instance nationwide where a Republican ticket unseated an incumbent Democratic governor and lieutenant governor.
Nevada’s Evolving Economic Landscape
Speaking at FreedomFest in Las Vegas, Anthony highlighted Nevada’s transformation into a hub for entertainment and professional sports. He pointed to a decade ago when major sporting events shied away from the state, citing concerns over illegal gambling and corruption. Today, Nevada stands as a global sports capital, boasting professional teams in hockey, football, and women’s basketball, with baseball and basketball on the horizon, alongside Formula 1 and NASCAR events.
“The thing about Las Vegas is anything can happen here,” Anthony remarked. “So it’s really not up to me as a lieutenant governor to decide what’s the next big thing in tourism. It’s the tourist industry that has to decide what’s the next big thing.”
The Potential of Space Tourism
Amidst this dynamic economic growth, Anthony sees space tourism as a compelling frontier for Nevada. “One thing that is of interest is space tourism,” he stated. “I think that might be a future here in Nevada because we have a lot of open land where… somebody like Elon Musk can shoot rockets up into outer space, hang out up there for a while, have some drinks. Hang out with friends.”
He envisions the experience of viewing Earth from orbit as a unique adventure that could draw significant interest. However, Anthony emphasized that the initiative must come from the private sector. “It’s the private sector that needs to do it, and I am very much in favor of allowing our entrepreneurs to come up with the next best thing and to support them,” he added.
Problem-Solving Roots in Policing
Anthony attributes his aptitude for public service to his extensive background in law enforcement. He explained that while dramatic events like high-speed chases and shootouts are part of policing, the majority of the work involves problem-solving within communities. “Going into neighborhoods, finding out what are the issues in those neighborhoods, helping those neighbors solve issues to make their quality of life a lot better,” he described.
This approach, he believes, translates directly to his role as an elected official. “My job is to go out there and talk to people and find out what the state can do, what a county could do, what a city could do to make their lives better: helping folks live the American dream and not causing problems like higher taxes, higher regulations, getting in their way, those sorts of things,” Anthony explained. “So that’s really what I learned about police work.”
Political Endorsements and Fiscal Philosophy
The Lombardo/Anthony ticket has received an endorsement from former President Donald Trump, who also championed Nevada’s recent policy eliminating taxes on tips. Anthony noted the positive impact of this policy and expressed optimism about Trump’s continued engagement with the state.
Anthony’s political and economic philosophy is deeply influenced by his immigrant parents from Cyprus. He recalled their emphasis on hard work, self-reliance, and fiscal responsibility as foundational values. “When they came to the United States, and they didn’t have anything, all they could do was find a job and get married and raise a family… number one: you work hard,” he shared.
He further elaborated on their mindset regarding government assistance: “Number two: you don’t ask the government for anything. You want them to protect you, you want to have roads. But you don’t ask them for welfare, you don’t ask them for unemployment checks, you don’t ask them for food stamps.” This upbringing instilled in him a belief in personal responsibility and limited government intervention.
“Their responsibility was to work hard, raise a family, buy a home and live the American dream. That taught me a lot. And that’s really how I’ve continued my public service,” Anthony concluded. “I am here to support Nevadans in ways that they want support, but I’m not here to carry them. They need to carry themselves, and I think they understand that.”
