When Nathan Gent moved to Pahrump after law school in 2010, he was drawn to the things that make a smaller community feel like home — familiar faces, neighbors who stop to say hello and a night sky filled with stars. Sixteen years later, he and his wife are raising their six children here, and Gent is seeking to serve the community in a new capacity as Nye County District Court Judge, Department 1.
“I’m a small-town guy,” Gent said. “I love living in a place where people know their neighbors and still say hello to each other as you pass by on the street.”
Although his own move followed graduation from the University of Nevada, Las Vegas law school, Gent’s family ties to the area date back to the 1990s. Since making Pahrump his full-time home, he has built both his legal career and his family life here.
Outside of work, that family life often includes youth sports. Gent and his wife have six children, with triplets arriving first, and enjoy getting them involved in local programs. He appreciates the values sports can teach children while giving them time outside enjoying Nevada’s sunshine.
Gent’s own appreciation for the outdoors developed during his years in Boy Scouts, where he earned the rank of Eagle Scout. He also enjoys motorcycle riding, including one trip that took him from Canada to Mexico and back. For those who know him primarily through his legal work or campaign, he said there is also a lighter side — he enjoys a good, clean joke and is always happy to talk sports.
The eighth of nine children, Gent took a different career path before entering the legal profession. After high school, he spent two years as an apprentice in the carpenters’ union, helping build the Seattle Seahawks’ football stadium, the Harborview Hospital parking garage and the Seattle courthouse.
His legal career would eventually bring him into courtrooms in another capacity. Over the past 16 years, Gent has worked as both a prosecutor and a defense attorney. As a deputy district attorney, he prosecuted cases involving robbery, burglary, sexual assault, arson, child abuse and murder. In his defense work, he said he has focused on protecting the constitutional rights of Nevadans.
While those roles have shaped his professional experience, Gent said one of his guiding principles came much earlier, from his mother: treat others the way you want to be treated.
“People are not a burden to bear. People are a blessing to serve,” he said.
That outlook helped guide his consideration of a run for judicial office. Gent said several people approached him about entering the race, but he wanted to give the decision careful thought, particularly because of the demands campaigning would place on his family.
During that time, a family trip to the Statue of Liberty and Ellis Island gave him more to consider. Listening to the stories of people who worked and sacrificed to become American citizens prompted him to reflect on his own opportunity to serve.
“One cannot expect things to be better if one does not put in the work to make it better,” Gent said.
He ultimately decided to run, describing the position as an opportunity to contribute to the community where he has spent his career and is raising his children. His view of the courtroom centers on public service, with an emphasis on listening carefully to the people who appear before the judge.
Alongside that approach, Gent identified electronic filing as a practical improvement he would like to pursue. He said his goal would be to have a District Court electronic filing system operating within 30 days of taking office. Pointing to services available in Las Vegas, he said he wants Nye County residents to have comparable access.
“We should be providing the same level of service to the good people of Nye County,” Gent said.
When asked how he would hope residents might describe his work at the end of a term, Gent focused on fairness and consistency. He said following the law would remain his responsibility even when a decision might be unpopular.
“I want people to say that I listened carefully and applied the law fairly, impartially, and consistently,” he said.
As the campaign continues, Gent is introducing voters to both his professional background and the family and community experiences that led him to seek the seat. The choice now rests with Nye County voters, with early voting 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.
If you would like to learn more about Nathan you can visit votenathangent.com
