News Summary

The Las Vegas City Council is in the process of appointing an interim replacement for former Councilwoman Victoria Seaman. The council received applications from 40 candidates, with three front-runners: Kara Kelley, Serena Kasama, and Tom Warden. Each candidate will present their qualifications before the council, which is expected to make the appointment soon. The new member will serve the Ward 2 seat until the next election in 2026, representing about 127,000 residents in southwest Las Vegas.

Las Vegas Council to Appoint Interim Replacement for Former Councilwoman

The city of Las Vegas is actively seeking candidates to fill the vacancy left by former Councilwoman Victoria Seaman, who recently resigned to accept a position with the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. The Las Vegas City Council is expected to select a new member as early as Wednesday.

Three candidates have emerged as front-runners for the position: Kara Kelley, Serena Kasama, and Tom Warden. Each candidate is slated to give a three-minute public presentation outlining their qualifications before the council. The selected candidate will serve as the “caretaker” for the Ward 2 seat until the next election in 2026.

Kara Kelley currently holds the position of vice chair of the Colorado River Commission of Nevada, having previously served as the CEO of the Las Vegas Chamber of Commerce. She also founded a consulting firm, The Kelley Co. LLC. Serena Kasama is currently a member of the city’s planning commission and works as the government affairs director at a lobbying firm. Tom Warden, who retired in 2022, is a former government and community relations professional and currently consults for the Howard Hughes Corp.

The council opted for an appointment process rather than holding a special election, which was projected to cost nearly $500,000. The city had an open application window that attracted 40 viable candidates for the role, which closed last Friday. The chosen appointee must agree not to run for the seat in the 2026 elections, a promise that, while expected, is not enforceable.

The new council member will represent approximately 127,000 residents in southwest Las Vegas and will be tasked with addressing the needs and concerns of Ward 2. Applicants for the position were required to reside within Ward 2, which largely encompasses the Summerlin area.

The City Council will now review the applications and will forward their top three selections to the Human Resources Department for further consideration. The finalist candidates will be discussed during the September 17 City Council meeting, at which a vote to finalize the appointment will also take place.

This decision comes after Victoria Seaman’s term concluded last month and reflects the council’s commitment to maintaining consistent representation in Ward 2 ahead of the next election cycle in 2026. Through this interim appointment, the council aims to ensure that the needs of the residents are met during this transition period.

With the selection process underway, the Las Vegas City Council is poised to bring in a capable leader to bridge the gap until the next election, ensuring that the interests of the community continue to be addressed.

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HERE Resources

Las Vegas City Council to Appoint New Member for Ward 2

Additional Resources

• Las Vegas Review-Journal
• Wikipedia: Las Vegas City Council
• Nevada Current
• Google Search: Las Vegas City Council
• Las Vegas Sun
• Encyclopedia Britannica: Las Vegas
• Hoodline
• Google News: Las Vegas City Council appointment

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