Lorraine T. Hunt, Lieutenant Governor of the State of Nevada
In 1943, Maria and Al Perry journeyed West with their little baby girl from Niagara Falls, New York. They left for personal health reasons and to pursue their dream for a better life. Over the years, that same little girl blossomed into a business, entertainment and political dynamo, and is now known and respected as Nevada’s Lieutenant Governor Lorraine T. Hunt.
"The move was paradise for us all," recalls Hunt. "It restored their health, and it gave us a chance to pursue our own American dream. I graduated from Las Vegas High School and attended Westlake College of Music in Los Angeles. My love was music. My mother and father opened their first restaurant here in 1949. In 1955, they opened the Venetian Pizzeria, which became a local hangout for musicians.
"One of the musicians at the Pizzeria asked me to audition as an opening singer for him at the exciting Riviera. I auditioned and got the job. I started working in the music business at age 19 and made a very good living at it. I also made my first real estate investment at 19. I bought a piece of land out in the middle of nowhere, at Tropicana and Eastern, and paid $3,000 for it, $800 down with $50 per month payments."
Over the next dozen years, Hunt continued to do well with her music career and her real estate investments. In the 1970s, she decided she would improve the very same parcel of land she’d bought at 19, and opened the Bootlegger Ristorante along with her parents. She developed a small shopping center on the property and rented out retail space to other small business owners in the center.
"With my small business experience, it led me to fight business battles on the local level. I attended city, county and state meetings, and ultimately in 1986 I was an elected delegate to the White House Conference on Small Business in Washington, D. C. It led me to the awareness, the love, the passion and commitment to help others."
In 1995, Hunt was elected to office as a Clark County commissioner where she served a four-year term. In 1998, she was elected lieutenant governor and then re-elected in 2002. As the lieutenant governor, Hunt is president of the Nevada State Senate, chair of the Nevada Commission of Tourism, chair of the Nevada Commission on Economic Development and vice-chair of the Nevada Department of Transportation board of directors.
"Regarding politics, Ronald Reagan really inspired me because his core values were what my core values were. I chose the Republican Party because it stands more for entrepreneurship and free enterprise. The free market economy is our future.
"I’ve had three wonderful careers, in business, entertainment and politics." Hunt’s secret to success: You must have a vision. You must have good intuitions, and you must build a great team, just like in a great restaurant.
Today, the loving presence behind the famous Bootlegger Ristorante spans four generations of close-knit family members. It now sits on the southern tip of the Strip and serves up delicious Italian cuisine with top vintage Vegas entertainment seven nights a week.
"We are an example of a hardworking Italian family achieving the American dream," Hunt affirms. "My son Ron Mancuso is our COO and marketing and entertainment director of our family business. My dad is 91, my mom is 88." So, next time you crave Italian, you might want to try Mama’s mouthwatering lasagna. It is one tasteful family recipe for happiness and success.
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"May all of your Las Vegas Dreams come true." - Jim Bickford
In 1943, Maria and Al Perry journeyed West with their little baby girl from Niagara Falls, New York. They left for personal health reasons and to pursue their dream for a better life. Over the years, that same little girl blossomed into a business, entertainment and political dynamo, and is now known and respected as Nevada’s Lieutenant Governor Lorraine T. Hunt.
Over the next dozen years, Hunt continued to do well with her music career and her real estate investments. In the 1970s, she decided she would improve the very same parcel of land she’d bought at 19, and opened the Bootlegger Ristorante along with her parents. She developed a small shopping center on the property and rented out retail space to other small business owners in the center.
