Assemblyman Don Gustavson of Nevada

Don was born in Culver City, CA. Don Gustavson graduated from Culver City High School in California in 1961. Don moved to Nevada in July 1967. Don now has two daughters, Kerry Saulnier & Donna Stoller and a son, Don. His two daughters have given him six beautiful grandchildren, five girls and one boy. His son and his wife has given him two beautiful granddaughters.

Don was general manager of a real estate investment company for 5 years. He also has over 25 years experience as a professional driver, first driving for Wonder Bread/Hostess Cake in 1971. He then went on into driving semi-trucks locally for many years delivering food products to restaurants. Don is now retired.

Don got interested in politics in the early 80's. He wanted to try to make a difference in the direction our country is going so he decided to run for the State Assembly in 1990. On his third campaign in 1996, Don was elected to the Nevada State Assembly. He served on the Judiciary, Education and Transportation Committees in the 1997 Session. He served on the same committees in the 1999 and 2001 Sessions in addition to the Constitutional Amendments Committee. Don served on the same committees in the 2003 Session except the Education Committee. During the 2009 Session, Don continued to serve on the Judiciary Committee, the Taxation Committee and the Natural Resources, Agriculture, and Mining Committee.

During the interim between sessions, Don is serving on the Committee on High Level Radioactive Waste and on the Legislative Committee to Oversee the Western Regional Water Commission.

Don Gustavson is one of the "Fearless 14" who stood to protect our Nevada Constitution and to vote against the largest tax increase in Nevada's history. He also stopped the creation of a Nevada I.R.S.

In the last Session, 2009, Don also fought hard against the next largest tax increase in Nevada’s history which was also vetoed by the Governor but overridden by the liberal tax and spenders in both the Assembly and the Senate. Don believes that while there are too many people out of work today and numerous businesses closing, now is not the time to be raising taxes!

Don worked on and voted for bills to increase the penalties for those who abuse, injure or defraud senior citizens. He consistently voted no to increase taxes and/or fees as well as introducing and gaining tremendous support in trying to pass a Constitutional Amendment change to put a cap on property taxes similar to Prop. 13 in Calif. Don and former Assemblywoman Sharron Angle continued to pursue this effort by successfully circulating a petition and having it certified by the Secretary of State for the November 2008 ballot only to have it disqualified by the Nevada State Education Association and a favorable judge.”

In 1999, Don received an award for leadership in advocacy from the American Heart Association and in 2000 received a Hometown Hero Award from the American Red Cross for introducing and passing AB409 that extended limited immunity from liability regarding "Good Samaritan" emergency care.

In 2009, Don Gustavson received the “Silver Spoke Award’ from National Coalition of Motorcyclists for his many years of support for their issues.

Don Gustavson has been a strong supporter of the Second Amendment for as long as he can remember. The main reason Don first ran for the Assembly was to do every thing he could to protect ALL of our constitutional rights and freedoms and he continues to do so.

In the 1999 Session, Don Gustavson was able to introduce and pass a law (AB543) that would prevent the cities and counties from filing lawsuits against the manufacturers or dealers of firearms or ammunition relating to the lawful design or manufacture of firearms or ammunition.

Don was also solely responsible for resurrecting a bill to protect law enforcement personnel from frivolous lawsuits. Don also voted no over 100 times in the 1999 session, mostly on bills to increase taxes, fees and increased cost of insurance premiums.

Don was instrumental in the formation of the Northern Nevada Teen Challenge home for teenage boys and was the founding chairman. He also served two terms as president of the Highland Ranch Homeowners Association.

While the Nevada Legislature only meets every other year for 120 days, Don also held down a full time position (when not in session) and in his spare time helps out with other community activities.