Nicole Jeanette Cannizzaro (born January 19, 1983) is an American Democratic politician currently serving in the Nevada Senate. She represents the 6th district, which covers parts of Las Vegas.
Cannizzaro is the first woman to serve as Majority Leader of the Nevada Senate. Cannizzaro is the Democratic nominee for Nevada Attorney General in the 2026 elections.
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Biography
Cannizzaro was born in Las Vegas. She earned a bachelor's degree in business administration and management from the University of Nevada, Reno in 2006, and a Juris Doctor from the William S. Boyd School of Law at the University of Nevada, Las Vegas in 2010. Following graduation, she worked as a legal clerk and then began practicing law in Las Vegas. She joined the Clark County District Attorney's Office in 2011 where she served as a Chief Deputy District Attorney. After more than a decade at the Clark County District Attorney's Office, she returned to private practice in 2022.
Cannizzaro was elected to the Senate in 2016 by a narrow margin, defeating Republican Victoria Seaman. She was re-elected in 2020 and 2024. In July 2025, Cannizzaro announced she would run for Nevada Attorney General in the 2026 statewide election. She defeated State Treasurer Zach Conine in the primary.
Legislative initiatives
Cannizzaro has sponsored legislation on a variety of topics during her three terms in the Nevada Senate.
Public Safety:
Senate Bill 263: Banning the possession, production, or distribution of AI generated child pornography
Senate Bill 343: Increasing criminal penalties for trafficking fentanyl
Senate Bill 440: Awarding back pay to state police and other state employees
Health care:
Senate Bill 420: Creating a more affordable public health care option to be sold in Nevada's individual health care market
Senate Bill 232: Expanding coverage for postpartum services for new mothers
Education:
Senate Bill 231: Providing funding for 20% raises for public school teachers
Reproductive Rights:
Senate Bill 131: Banning government agencies in Nevada from assisting other states' prosecutions of abortion patients or providers
Senate Joint Resolution 7: Adding reproductive rights to the Nevada Constitution
Senate Bill 179: Removing outdated criminal penalties for abortion from Nevada law
Senate Bill 190: Expanding contraceptive access by allowing pharmacists to directly dispense birth control
Personal life
Cannizzaro is married to Nate Ring. She has three children, who have appeared with her during Senate sessions.