EDITOR’S NOTE: “Debunking Las Vegas Myths” releases new posts every Monday, with a special Flashback Friday edition. Today’s post in our ongoing series was originally published on Nov. 4, 2024, a day before the previous U.S. presidential election.
Another significant election on November 5 is for the city of Las Vegas. Residents will choose their first non-Goodman mayor in 25 years. Regardless of whether Shelley Berkley or Victoria Seaman wins, one thing is certain…
Neither will have any authority over what happens on the Las Vegas Strip. The misconception that Las Vegas mayors do is a result of another myth we have already debunked — that the city of Las Vegas encompasses the Strip.
It does not. If your entire Vegas trip involves landing at Harry Reid International Airport and staying on the Strip, you will not step foot in the city of Las Vegas, commonly referred to as downtown.
In fact, Las Vegas Boulevard (formerly Highway 91) was renamed in 1959 because most of it led to Las Vegas, not because most of it passed through Las Vegas.
This distinction is often overlooked by those outside the city, perpetuated by the myth’s own subjects.
No Las Vegas mayor has ever objected to being mistakenly associated with governing the most famous part of Clark County. Former Mayor Carolyn Goodman recently criticized the Oakland A’s for their Strip relocation plans, which gained national media attention.
Former Mayor Oscar, known as O.G., often embraced this confusion. Despite not being mayor of the Strip, he participated in openings, press conferences, and key presentations in that area.
“They don’t know I’m not the mayor here,” he would say to those who pointed out the mistake.
When NBC’s Chris Matthews asked about his jurisdiction during an interview at Caesars Palace in 2007, O.G. replied: “I’m the mayor of everywhere!”
We have a soft spot for O.G.
Why Casinos on the Strip Collaborate
Las Vegas Strip casinos perpetuate this myth. Having the actual Las Vegas Mayor attend their events adds legitimacy to their address in Las Vegas.
All these casinos are located in unincorporated Nevada townships, saving them from paying additional city taxes. The inaccurate Las Vegas addresses have been accepted by the US Postal Service since the townships’ establishment in the 1950s by mob owners.
The only entities advocating for the accurate jurisdictional boundaries of the Las Vegas mayor are the Clark County commissioners, who oversee the Strip.
Since 2013, former Commissioner (now Nevada Governor) Steve Sisolak initiated Clark County’s “Key to the Las Vegas Strip” awards, excluding any city official speeches or appearances.
Mayor Carolyn was displeased after being excluded from a Key to the Las Vegas Strip event honoring Britney Spears in 2014, calling it “ridiculous” and “infantile.”
Commissioner Tick Segerblom proposed renaming Clark County to Las Vegas County to reduce confusion and enhance international recognition.
In response, Mayor Carolyn diplomatically welcomed the idea while subtly dismissing Segerblom.
“Las Vegas is world-renowned, and I would like Tick and the county to be part of our city,” she told KVVU-TV in a statement.
Stay tuned for “Debunking Las Vegas Myths” every Monday on Casino.org. For previously debunked myths, visit VegasMythsBusted.com. Have a suggestion for a myth to bust? Email [email protected].