Parnell says politics is her new avocation

Assemblywoman Bonnie Parnell says she enjoys politics so much she'll probably retire from teaching next summer to pursue her Assembly job full time.

"I love the public service part," she said. "I love the political part. I guess it's always been in my blood."

Parnell, a Carson school teacher for the past 24 years, said she's running for her second term representing Assembly District 40 in Carson City not only because she enjoyed it but because she believes she can do a good job.

"When I was thinking about running, I had to first consider whether I'd done a good job for the people in Carson City and I think for the most part I did."

A Democrat, she said her record has won her support from normally Republican strongholds including the capital's business community.

She says she especially enjoyed the pressure-packed 120 day legislative session.

"I love to work hard and I love the intensity," she said.

But she says she has also enjoyed being able to help people out with a wide variety of problems in the interim.

"Being a legislator has really two roles," she said. "The first is how effective you are during the 120 day session. But it's the other 20 months when you're really there to assist the people you serve, and I've really enjoyed it."

Parnell, 54, said serving in the 1999 Legislature gave her a much more positive attitude about legislative service.

"I was very impressed in the session at how hard everyone worked," she said. "Legislators, lobbyists, everyone."

"I have a view of the Legislature that's probably a lot more optimistic," she said.

And she said she has a clear view of her role, which is to serve the needs of the people of Carson City.

"That's one reason I oppose the teachers' tax initiative," she said. "Constituent interests come first and it's just not in the best interest of this community and small businesses."

Parnell said she has told the school district she's considering retirement next June even though she still enjoys teaching.

"I've got almost 30 years in the classroom," she said, pointing out she taught in California before coming to Nevada. "Maybe it's time for something else."

With both her children grown and on their own, Parnell said she's free to pursue other goals.

"I've been offered fellowships I had to decline because of the teaching schedule."

Her service in the Assembly is just the most recent in accomplishments. She has also been President of the Nevada PTA and a member of the state Welfare Board. And she was named Nevada Teacher of the Year in 1998.

Parnell said, however, in order to continue her new career in politics, she has to win re-election over Jeanne Simons on Tuesday. While the polls give her a lead in that race, she said she's not taking anything for granted. After all, her district has more than 8,500 Republicans and just 6,598 Democrats.

"I'll be out this weekend knocking on doors," she said.