Getting Out of the Classroom: This Politics Professor Ran for Political Office, and Won

It was Lisa Krasner’s students who encouraged her to do it. Half a decade ago, she was teaching politics and government courses at the University of Phoenix and Truckee Meadows Community College in Reno, Nev. Time after time, the students in her classes would ask: Why don’t you run for office yourself?

In 2015, she did, and won a seat in the Nevada Assembly, where early on she sponsored legislation to extend the statute of limitations for child victims of sexual abuse. The bill passed the legislature unanimously and was signed into law by Gov. Brian Sandoval. Krasner -- a Republican -- worked closely with iconic feminist attorney Gloria Allred to advance the cause. “I’m very proud I was able to pass such an important bill in my first session,” she says. “I have strangers call me -- people I’ve never met -- and thank me.” Looking ahead, she hopes to address domestic violence issues. 

Nevada in December became the nation’s first female-majority legislature. Krasner says she welcomes the opportunity to have more women voices in lawmaking. “Being a woman -- being a wife and a mother -- I bring a unique perspective,” she says. “As far as having a female majority, I think it’s great!”

 

Read about the Women in Government program and the rest of the honorees.