Draft:Pamela Goynes-Brown

Pamela Goynes-Brown is an American politician serving as the mayor of North Las Vegas, Nevada. She was elected in 2022 and is the first black mayor in this city's history. Prior to becoming mayor of North Las Vegas, she served on the North Las Vegas City Council representing Ward 2 and as mayor pro tempore.

Pamela Goynes-Brown was born in 1962 on a Navajo reservation in Utah and is the daughter of Theron and Naomi Goynes. The family moved to Las Vegas in pursuit of careers in education when she was only two years old in the year 1964. ^[1]After graduating from high school, Goynes went on to study at Prairie View A & M University, obtaining a bachelor's degree in music education. She later obtained a master's degree in elementary education from Nova Southeastern University, with an endorsement in educational leadership.^[2]

Before entering politics, Goynes-Brown worked in public education for 35 years in the Clark County School District. She served in various roles, including as an assistant principal, before retiring from education. ^[3]

Goynes-Brown has served on a number of boards and committees, including the North Las Vegas Redevelopment Agency, the Las Vegas Convention and Visitors Authority, and the Deferred Compensation Plan Committee. She has also participated in regional and community initiatives, including the Mayors Alliance to End Childhood Hunger, the Teachers and Leaders Council, the College of Southern Nevada advisory committee, and the Civilian Military Council. ^[4]

Pamela Goynes-Brown’s political career is defined by her service in municipal government and her subsequent election as mayor of North Las Vegas. Prior to assuming the mayoralty, Goynes-Brown served as a member of the North Las Vegas City Council, where she was involved in local governance and policymaking at the city level. In 2022, she ran for mayor of North Las Vegas in a nonpartisan election, a format in which candidates’ party affiliations are not listed on the ballot. Goynes-Brown advanced through the electoral process and won the general election with a majority of the vote, defeating her opponent by a substantial margin. Following her victory, she was sworn into office on December 1, 2022. ^[5]As mayor, she became the chief executive officer of one of Nevada’s largest municipalities, responsible for overseeing city operations, implementing policy initiatives, and working alongside the city council to address local issues. Her term is scheduled to run through November 30, 2026. Her election marked the continuation of her trajectory within North Las Vegas municipal leadership, transitioning from a legislative role on the city council to an executive leadership position as mayor. ^[6]

Her election was historically significant, as she became the first Black mayor in Nevada. Goynes-Brown has cited a family legacy of public service as an influence on her career, following in the footsteps of her father, Theron Goynes, who served in local government as mayor pro tempore. Prior to entering politics, she worked as an educator for 35 years. As mayor, she has identified affordability as a key issue in North Las Vegas and has highlighted the city’s economic growth, while also expressing a desire to inspire future generations to pursue leadership roles. ^[7]

As mayor of North Las Vegas, Pamela Goynes-Brown has focused on economic development, long-term planning, and community growth. She was elected in 2022 and assumed office on December 1 of that year, becoming the first Black mayor in Nevada history.^[8][9] During her tenure, she has emphasized transforming North Las Vegas into a “complete city,” with efforts centered on expanding infrastructure, increasing business investment, and supporting job creation.^[10]

Her administration has supported major development initiatives, including the expansion of a new campus for Nevada State University and additional industrial and mixed-use projects aimed at strengthening the city’s economic base.^[11] She has also prioritized redevelopment efforts in downtown North Las Vegas and broader strategies to guide the city’s future growth.^[12] In public remarks, Goynes-Brown has highlighted the city’s progress in economic development and identified affordability as a key issue facing residents.^[13]

In 2026, she delivered her final State of the City address as she entered the last year of her term, reflecting on accomplishments, outlining future projects, and emphasizing continued growth and development within North Las Vegas.^[14] Her tenure has been characterized by a focus on economic expansion, community investment, and long-term planning for one of Nevada’s fastest-growing municipalities.^[15]

Pamela Goynes-Brown has received recognition for her contributions to education and community service.^[16]

Pamela Goynes-Brown was born in 1962 and has been a long-time resident of North Las Vegas, moving to the city with her family in 1964.^[17][18] She comes from a family with a background in education and public service; her father, Theron Hulan Goynes, served in local government and was among the first African Americans to hold leadership roles in the city.^[19]

Prior to entering politics, Goynes-Brown worked in education for approximately 35 years within the Clark County School District, retiring as an assistant principal.^[20][21] She earned a bachelor’s degree in music education from Prairie View A&M University and a master’s degree in elementary education with an emphasis in educational leadership from Nova Southeastern University.^[22]

Goynes-Brown is married and has two children.^[23] Outside of her professional and political life, she has participated in various civic and community organizations and has received multiple awards recognizing her contributions to education and the local community.^[24]

Pamela Goynes-Brown has participated in multiple municipal elections in North Las Vegas, Nevada. She was first elected to the North Las Vegas City Council representing Ward 2 in 2011 and served in that position until 2022.^[25][26]

In 2022, Goynes-Brown ran for mayor of North Las Vegas in a nonpartisan election and defeated Patricia Spearman in the general election, receiving 65.7% of the vote.^[27] She assumed office on December 1, 2022, beginning a four-year term set to expire on November 30, 2026.^[28]

Her election to the mayoralty was historically significant, as she became the first Black mayor in Nevada.^[29]