When Chris Lally and his family moved to Pahrump six and a half years ago, they were looking for more space, a quieter pace and the opportunity to become homeowners while living closer to family. Today, the husband and father of three boys is seeking to represent District 5 on the Nye County Commission, with an interest in how county decisions shape the community his children call home.
Lally works in real estate, a profession he said has introduced him to people choosing to build their own lives in Pahrump. Those conversations have offered a perspective on both the opportunities that bring families here and the challenges they encounter once they arrive.
“And despite running for county commissioner, I’m a resident and neighbor first, so that’s genuinely how I’ve been approaching this campaign,” Lally said.
His family’s decision to leave Las Vegas was influenced in part by affordability and the quality of life they felt they could find in Pahrump. What began as a search for breathing room and a place to put down roots has grown into a connection to the community and an interest in its future.
That interest gradually led Lally to become more involved in county government. He said his initial concerns centered on amenities and improvements he felt the district needed. As he attended public meetings, reviewed county business and spoke with neighbors, his attention expanded to groundwater, development, infrastructure and communication with residents.
“Eventually, I felt that rather than simply wishing things were handled differently, I should be willing to step forward and take some responsibility myself by running for commissioner,” he said.
Reading county agendas, researching local issues and attending meetings now occupy a portion of Lally’s days alongside work and family responsibilities. With a real estate schedule that changes from day to day and three children at home, he said the distinction between campaigning and everyday life has become somewhat blurred.
Family remains the part of his life he is most proud of. Lally said being a husband and father has shaped his understanding of responsibility and what people owe one another. His professional experience has reinforced the importance of patience, honesty and following through, particularly when helping someone navigate a major decision such as buying or selling a home.
Those experiences also inform how he describes his approach to public service. Lally identified honesty, accountability, fairness and personal responsibility as guiding values, and said he wants to consider the effects of decisions on residents whose concerns may receive less attention.
Lally is running as a nonpartisan candidate, unaffiliated with either major political party. He said that independence is an important part of his approach to local government, allowing him to evaluate each issue on its merits rather than through party loyalties. He also emphasized being willing to acknowledge mistakes and reconsider a position when presented with better information.
“I’m not someone who believes he has all the answers,” Lally said. “I ask a lot of questions, I genuinely enjoy learning, and I’m perfectly willing to reconsider an opinion when presented with better information.”
Among his stated priorities are protecting groundwater, planning for growth, improving infrastructure and public safety, and carefully managing taxpayer dollars. He pointed to better roads, stronger emergency services and support for existing businesses as opportunities to improve everyday life for residents.
Lally said he sees value in growth when it is accompanied by thoughtful planning, particularly given his concerns about the groundwater supply in Basin 162. He also would like residents to receive information about major development proposals earlier, giving them more opportunity to understand and participate in the process.
For Lally, measuring success would involve both progress on those issues and the relationship between county government and the people it serves.
“I don’t expect every challenge to be resolved in four years, but I do expect county leadership to be transparent, accessible, and accountable for the decisions it makes,” he said.
Outside work and local government, Lally enjoys pinball and arcade machines, including learning how to maintain, troubleshoot and tune them. The hobby combines an interest in mechanical and electronic systems with something he can enjoy alongside his family.
He said a sense of humor and the ability to disagree respectfully are also qualities he hopes residents see beyond the campaign setting.
Asked what he would want people to say at the end of a term, Lally emphasized listening, preparation and fair treatment. He said he would hope residents felt comfortable bringing concerns to him and understood how he reached decisions, including those they did not support.
“I don’t need everyone to agree with every decision I make,” Lally said, “but I would want them to understand the reasoning behind it.”
Early voting is underway ahead of Election Day on Tuesday, Nov. 3. In Pahrump, early voting is available at the Bob Ruud Community Center, 150 N. Highway 160, from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Oct. 19–23 and Oct. 26–30, and from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Oct. 24. The location is closed Sundays. Early voting is also available at the Pahrump Senior Center, 1370 W. Basin Avenue, from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Oct. 21 and 28.
