Ross Miller
Encyclopedia
Ross James Miller is an American
politician of the Democratic Party
and the current Secretary of State
of Nevada
. Elected at the age of 30, he was the youngest Secretary of State in the history of Nevada and the youngest Secretary of State in the country at the time of his election.
, during which time he worked as an intern for President Bill Clinton
. He later received dual advanced degrees in Law and a Masters in Business administration from Loyola Marymount University
. Miller became a Deputy District Attorney in Clark County, Nevada
. His record as a prosecutor led John Walsh
to appear in a campaign ad for him during his race for Secretary of State.
As Secretary of State and Nevada's Chief Election Officer in 2008, Miller led a voter registration investigation into the prominent anti-poverty organization, Association of Community Organizations for Reform Now (ACORN
). The investigation led to a search warrant being executed at ACORN's Las Vegas headquarters and eventually led to the filing of thirty-nine (39) criminal counts against ACORN, its Las Vegas field director Christopher Edwards and its former Deputy Regional Field Director Amy Busefink. In August 2009, Christopher Edwards pled guilty to reduced charges and agreed to testify against ACORN and Busefink.
In 2008, Miller issued challenges to twenty-one (21) term-limited incumbents who had filed for office in Nevada. They had been in office for at least 12 years, the limit specified in a 1996 state referendum. Miller's decision was the subject of a legal challenge which was ultimately unanimously upheld by the Nevada Supreme Court.
As head of Nevada's commercial recordings division, Miller touts the implementation of a Nevada business portal which will create a "one stop shop" for business transactions with the state. Services offered will range from getting or renewing annual business licenses to registering vehicle fleets to paying state taxes by entering data just once and paying for all the services. The new Web site would also function as a clearinghouse for all payments, which would first go to the Secretary of State’s office and then be distributed to the cities and counties.
Miller chaired Nevada's census efforts in 2010. Due to his personal relationship with Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC) president Dana White
, Miller partnered with the UFC in a census awareness campaign which featured UFC personalities. Miller and White regularly train together in Mixed Martial Arts.
In 2009, Miller was selected as one of "24 Rising Stars" in American governance by the Aspen Institute
and awarded the Rodel Fellowship in Public Leadership. The program is a two-year fellowship designed to break down partisan barriers and to enable officeholders to step back from their daily responsibilities to consider broader questions of good governance.
, on March 26, 1976 and is one of three siblings, to former Nevada Governor Bob Miller
and his wife, Sandy Miller. Ross Miller and his wife Lesley had their first child, Cameron Elise, on July 17, 2006, a second daughter, Geneva, on August 9, 2008, and a son Reece on March 15, 2011. Lesley is a Nevada attorney and met Ross while the two were attending Loyola Law School.
with 48.73% of the vote. In 2010, Miller defeated Republican Rob Lauer by a margin of 53.17% to 37.27%.
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
politician of the Democratic Party
Democratic Party (United States)
The Democratic Party is one of two major contemporary political parties in the United States, along with the Republican Party. The party's socially liberal and progressive platform is largely considered center-left in the U.S. political spectrum. The party has the lengthiest record of continuous...
and the current Secretary of State
Secretary of State
Secretary of State or State Secretary is a commonly used title for a senior or mid-level post in governments around the world. The role varies between countries, and in some cases there are multiple Secretaries of State in the Government....
of Nevada
Nevada
Nevada is a state in the western, mountain west, and southwestern regions of the United States. With an area of and a population of about 2.7 million, it is the 7th-largest and 35th-most populous state. Over two-thirds of Nevada's people live in the Las Vegas metropolitan area, which contains its...
. Elected at the age of 30, he was the youngest Secretary of State in the history of Nevada and the youngest Secretary of State in the country at the time of his election.
Education and career
Miller earned his undergraduate degree at Stanford UniversityStanford University
The Leland Stanford Junior University, commonly referred to as Stanford University or Stanford, is a private research university on an campus located near Palo Alto, California. It is situated in the northwestern Santa Clara Valley on the San Francisco Peninsula, approximately northwest of San...
, during which time he worked as an intern for President Bill Clinton
Bill Clinton
William Jefferson "Bill" Clinton is an American politician who served as the 42nd President of the United States from 1993 to 2001. Inaugurated at age 46, he was the third-youngest president. He took office at the end of the Cold War, and was the first president of the baby boomer generation...
. He later received dual advanced degrees in Law and a Masters in Business administration from Loyola Marymount University
Loyola Marymount University
Loyola Marymount University is a comprehensive co-educational private Roman Catholic university in the Jesuit and Marymount traditions located in Los Angeles, California, United States...
. Miller became a Deputy District Attorney in Clark County, Nevada
Clark County, Nevada
-Demographics:As of the census of 2000, there were 1,375,765 people, 512,253 households, and 339,693 families residing within the MSA. The racial makeup of the MSA was 71.6% White , 9.1% Black, 5.7% Asian, 0.8% American Indian and 12.8% of other or mixed race. 22.0% were Hispanic of any race...
. His record as a prosecutor led John Walsh
John Walsh
John Edward Walsh is an American television personality, criminal investigator, human and victim rights advocate and formerly the host, as well as creator, of America's Most Wanted...
to appear in a campaign ad for him during his race for Secretary of State.
As Secretary of State and Nevada's Chief Election Officer in 2008, Miller led a voter registration investigation into the prominent anti-poverty organization, Association of Community Organizations for Reform Now (ACORN
Acorn
The acorn, or oak nut, is the nut of the oaks and their close relatives . It usually contains a single seed , enclosed in a tough, leathery shell, and borne in a cup-shaped cupule. Acorns vary from 1–6 cm long and 0.8–4 cm broad...
). The investigation led to a search warrant being executed at ACORN's Las Vegas headquarters and eventually led to the filing of thirty-nine (39) criminal counts against ACORN, its Las Vegas field director Christopher Edwards and its former Deputy Regional Field Director Amy Busefink. In August 2009, Christopher Edwards pled guilty to reduced charges and agreed to testify against ACORN and Busefink.
In 2008, Miller issued challenges to twenty-one (21) term-limited incumbents who had filed for office in Nevada. They had been in office for at least 12 years, the limit specified in a 1996 state referendum. Miller's decision was the subject of a legal challenge which was ultimately unanimously upheld by the Nevada Supreme Court.
As head of Nevada's commercial recordings division, Miller touts the implementation of a Nevada business portal which will create a "one stop shop" for business transactions with the state. Services offered will range from getting or renewing annual business licenses to registering vehicle fleets to paying state taxes by entering data just once and paying for all the services. The new Web site would also function as a clearinghouse for all payments, which would first go to the Secretary of State’s office and then be distributed to the cities and counties.
Miller chaired Nevada's census efforts in 2010. Due to his personal relationship with Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC) president Dana White
Dana White
Dana White is the current President of the Ultimate Fighting Championship , a mixed martial arts organization based in the United States.- Biography :...
, Miller partnered with the UFC in a census awareness campaign which featured UFC personalities. Miller and White regularly train together in Mixed Martial Arts.
In 2009, Miller was selected as one of "24 Rising Stars" in American governance by the Aspen Institute
Aspen Institute
The Aspen Institute is an international nonprofit organization founded in 1950 as the Aspen Institute of Humanistic Studies. The organization is dedicated to "fostering enlightened leadership, the appreciation of timeless ideas and values, and open-minded dialogue on contemporary issues." The...
and awarded the Rodel Fellowship in Public Leadership. The program is a two-year fellowship designed to break down partisan barriers and to enable officeholders to step back from their daily responsibilities to consider broader questions of good governance.
Family
Miller was born in Las Vegas, NevadaLas Vegas, Nevada
Las Vegas is the most populous city in the U.S. state of Nevada and is also the county seat of Clark County, Nevada. Las Vegas is an internationally renowned major resort city for gambling, shopping, and fine dining. The city bills itself as The Entertainment Capital of the World, and is famous...
, on March 26, 1976 and is one of three siblings, to former Nevada Governor Bob Miller
Bob Miller (Nevada governor)
Robert Joseph "Bob" Miller is an American politician. He was the 26th Governor of the U.S. state of Nevada from 1989 to 1999. He is a member of the Democratic Party....
and his wife, Sandy Miller. Ross Miller and his wife Lesley had their first child, Cameron Elise, on July 17, 2006, a second daughter, Geneva, on August 9, 2008, and a son Reece on March 15, 2011. Lesley is a Nevada attorney and met Ross while the two were attending Loyola Law School.
Election
Miller was first elected in 2006, defeating Republican Danny TarkanianDanny Tarkanian
Daniel John "Danny" Tarkanian is an American real estate and small business owner. In 2004, Tarkanian ran for the Nevada Senate and lost the general election. In 2006, he won the Republican nomination for Nevada Secretary of State, but lost in the general election. In 2010 he was a Republican...
with 48.73% of the vote. In 2010, Miller defeated Republican Rob Lauer by a margin of 53.17% to 37.27%.