"There was no concept of going to college,'' Snowden said. "Something is wrong with the education system if that is the highest achievement our youth are interested in.''

If Snowden, 47, can win his party's nod over incumbent Morse Arberry Jr. during the primary followed by a victory over Republican Geraldine Lewis in November, his first priority would be to take a hard look at Nevada's education system.

His next task would be to bring more economic development to his district, something he criticized Arberry for not doing.

"Nothing has occurred in this district,'' Snowden said. "We've had rampant growth, but very little respect has been paid to green space. Also, people need roads, parks and places to go within their community.''

Arberry disagreed, though he did admit the community could use a few more businesses.

"We have to increase economic development, which we've been doing,'' the 55-year-old said. "We need dollars to stay in this community, and if we can bring in more businesses, those dollars won't go outside the community.''

Arberry said, the district isn't immune to the recent mortgage crisis. If re-elected, Arberry said one of his goals is to help his constituents keep their homes but not sign their lives away to mortgage companies in the process.

"We have to guide these people so that they can make the right decisions,'' said Arberry, owner of a mortgage company.

Both Arberry and Snowden are longtime residents of the district, though Arberry has been criticized in the past for not living in the district. In 2004, two challengers for the seat filed complaints over Arberry's residency.

Snowden also has brought up the issue. Arberry says his primary residence is in his district.

"The district attorney did an investigation. The secretary of state did an investigation,'' Arberry said. "This issue is always brought up around election time. I think the press has staked out my house. We need to stick to the issues and what we can do to make this economy turn around, not (worry about) where I live.''

Contact reporter Annette Wells at awells@reviewjournal.com or 702-383-0283.