Southern Nevada Local Races Attract Millions in Campaign Funding

Millions of dollars have circulated in Southern Nevada local government races during the current election cycle, with approximately $1.6 million raised across the region between July and September. This financial activity spans contests from the powerful Clark County Commission to various city council seats in North Las Vegas, Las Vegas, and Henderson, revealing how candidates are acquiring and deploying funds.

In the race for the Clark County Commission District F seat, nonpartisan candidate Becky Harris leads in fundraising for the quarter, bringing in almost $192,000. Of this amount, $100,000 originated from a loan she made to herself. Harris, a former chairwoman of the Gaming Control Board and an expert in gaming law, spent $281,000 during this period, contributing to an overall total expenditure of $410,000. Her donations included contributions from gaming companies, as well as $10,000 from former UNLV basketball player Jackie Robinson through his Dribble Dunk LLC.

Assemblywoman Heidi Kasama, a Republican representing Las Vegas, raised approximately $153,000 and spent around $53,000 this cycle, resulting in total expenditures of $110,000. Her campaign received $10,000 from Ben and Felicia Horowitz, known for their high-profile technology donations to the Las Vegas Metropolitan Police Department. Other corporate donations to Kasama’s campaign included $5,000 from Switch and $2,000 from Airbnb.

Democrat Minja Yan has adopted a stance against accepting corporate donations, primarily receiving funds from individuals. She did, however, accept contributions from some local businesses, including an architectural firm. Yan raised almost $43,000 this quarter and spent slightly more, at $46,000.

For the District E seat, incumbent Commissioner Tick Segerblom, a Democrat, raised almost $81,800 and spent roughly $116,000. His Republican opponent, Manny Kess, raised around $71,000 and spent nearly $97,000 in the same quarter.

In District G, incumbent Commissioner Jim Gibson, a Democrat, raised $135,400. He spent $305,728 this quarter, with most of these funds directed to consulting firms Consili Inc., operated by political consultant Jim Ferrence, and Alchemy Associates. Republican internist Jonathan Maxham, Gibson’s opponent, has not yet submitted his latest campaign finance report.

The North Las Vegas mayoral race is described as a 'toss-up,' with Assemblywoman Daniele Monroe-Moreno, a Democrat from North Las Vegas, competing against North Las Vegas City Councilmember Scott Black. Monroe-Moreno, who chairs the Nevada Democratic Party, had a slight edge in the primary, exceeding Black's vote count by almost 2,000 votes. Between July and September, she raised $156,000 and spent approximately $89,300. Her donations included $10,000 from Switch, contributions from the real estate group GKT 4, local healthcare clinics and facilities, the International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers Local Union 35, Assembly Speaker Steve Yeager, and former Governor Steve Sisolak.

Scott Black raised around $204,800 during this period and spent $95,420. His total spending across the campaign has exceeded $1 million. Notable contributors to Black’s campaign include North Las Vegas Mayor Pamela Goynes-Brown, the Fremont Hotel & Casino, the Vegas Chamber, lobbyists at Kaempfer Crowell through PACs, and the North Las Vegas industrial complex Apex.

On the North Las Vegas City Council side, veteran and real estate agent Sherry Strothers raised approximately $29,400 and spent around $18,300. Her opponent, Esmeralda Villeda, also a real estate agent and a member of the city's planning commission, raised around $32,000 and spent roughly $55,200 this quarter.

In Las Vegas, former firefighter Luke McCarthy and attorney Shannon Nordstrom are vying to represent Ward 2. McCarthy raised almost $125,000 this quarter and spent around $157,000. He received support from several Las Vegas and Nevada politicians, including Assembly Speaker Yeager, Commissioner Segerblom, City Councilmember Brian Knudsen, and Las Vegas Mayor Shelley Berkley, who contributed $8,000.

Nordstrom raised $59,100 and spent nearly $39,300. She provided herself with a series of small loans totaling almost $1,000. Other notable donations to her campaign came from the El Cortez Hotel & Casino and a local gun range.

The mayoral election in Henderson is a 'heated' contest between Mayor Michelle Romero and former police chief Hollie Chadwick. Mayor Romero raised approximately $178,400 this quarter and spent roughly $122,000, bringing her overall campaign spending to $766,606. Her donations this cycle included contributions from several local businesses, as well as lobbyists and political consultants.

Chadwick raised $29,730 and spent around $28,100 this cycle. Her total campaign spending stands at $70,042, which is less than a tenth of Mayor Romero's expenditures. All of Chadwick's donations this quarter were from individuals.

In the Henderson City Council Ward 3 race, Councilmember Carrie Cox is seeking re-election against Jennifer Atlas, who has a background in healthcare policy and has previously run for state office. Cox raised nearly $29,000 and spent exactly $49,000 this quarter. Atlas raised around $120,200 and spent almost $96,500. Notably, the Henderson Police Supervisor Association contributed $5,000 to Atlas’s campaign, as did Boyd Gaming and the Vegas Chamber.