Nevada
Washoe DA GOP primary is winner-take-all because of 2015 law signed by Gov. Sandoval
RENO, Nev. (News 4 & Fox 11) — A wrinkle in Nevada’s election laws means the Republican primary for Washoe County District Attorney in 2026 is a winner-take-all contest — whoever wins the GOP primary will appear on the November general election ballot unopposed and win the seat outright.
Only two Republicans tossed their hats in the ring — incumbent Chris Hicks and Sparks city attorney Wes Duncan. And because no Democrats, nonpartisans or third-party candidates filed to run, the GOP primary will determine the next district attorney.
Washoe DA GOP primary is winner-take-all because of 2015 law signed by Gov. Sandoval
FULL RACE PREVIEW: Washoe County DA race: GOP primary between Hicks, Duncan will decide next top prosecutor
The unusual dynamic leaves over two-thirds of the Washoe County electorate with no say whatsoever in selecting the county’s top prosecutor for the next four years. So why is it this way?
It’s not because of a decades-old provision in Nevada Revised Statutes, rather an intentional law change passed in 2015 and signed by then-Gov. Brian Sandoval.
Prior to 2015, if only one major party had candidates file for an office, there was no primary contest under Nevada law. Instead, all of that party’s candidates automatically advanced to the general election, where voters from all parties would select the winner.
But in 2015, Senate Bill 499 changed all of that. SB 499, sponsored by the Senate Committee on Legislative Operations and Elections, originally sought to create a top-three open primary with ranked choice voting in the general, said Doug Goodman, founder and executive director of Nevadans for Election Reform.
Goodman, who supports increasing participation for Nevada’s growing nonpartisan voting bloc, initially backed that legislation. But on amendment, those provisions were stripped out entirely and replaced with entirely different language.
Under the amended bill, a party primary must be held regardless of the number of candidates. That primary contest would determine the party’s one nominee, who would advance to the general election unopposed.
It received unanimous bipartisan support in the Nevada Senate and passed with a two-thirds majority in the Nevada Assembly. 14 Assembly Republicans voted no on Senate Bill 499, but it passed anyways and was signed into law by Gov. Sandoval.
TMCC political science professor Fred Lokken told News 4-Fox 11 he believes it’s created an undemocratic scenario.
I see this as the most undemocratic concept of elections that has ever been perpetrated.
“It’s done in a number of states, Nevada’s not the only one, but a primary is not a deciding election. There should be no decision for the fall election made months in advance when voters aren’t paying attention,” Lokken said. “It’s all in favor of the parties. It cuts down in those elections, the notion that they have to go through another round.”
In contrast, many others would argue that only a party’s voters should be able to select a party’s nominee.
Attempts to undo this change have been unsuccessful. In 2019, Assembly Bill 259 would’ve reversed that provision of the 2015 legislation — it passed in the Assembly 30-10 but never came up for a vote in the Senate that year.
Another possible solution would be to make countywide offices such as district attorney, clerk and assessor nonpartisan contests. Lokken even floated that such positions should be appointed.
“I really hope that the 2027 (Nevada) legislature is willing to reopen this and consider fixing it. A partial open primary makes a whole lot of sense, and not allowing it to be the decision-maker makes a lot of difference … I would suggest that a lot of these positions should be appointed, not elected. There are too many elections.”
Email reporter Ben Margiott at bjmargiott@sbgtv.com. Follow @BenMargiott on X and Ben Margiott KRNV on Facebook.
Nevada
Shaquille O’Neal Foundation donates 260 supply-filled backpacks to Nevada students
LAS VEGAS (KSNV) — Hundreds of Southern Nevada kids got a jump-start on the new school year Thursday as The Shaquille O’Neal Foundation hosted its annual “Shaq-to-School” Summer Fun Fest with Boys & Girls Clubs of Southern Nevada at the Andre Agassi Boys & Girls Club.
During the event, The Shaquille O’Neal Foundation donated 260 backpacks filled with school supplies to benefit both Boys & Girls Clubs of Southern Nevada and Communities in Schools of Nevada.
“We are grateful for the continued support Boys & Girls Clubs of Southern Nevada has received from The Shaquille O’Neal Foundation,” said Andy Bischel, president and CEO of Boys & Girls Clubs of Southern Nevada. “Going to school with the tools to succeed in the classroom is incredibly important, and through this generous donation from The Shaquille O’Neal Foundation, we know our Club members will feel excited and confident entering the new school year.”
Club members from the Andre Agassi and James Boys & Girls Clubs took part in a carnival-themed celebration that included games, food and other interactive activities. All club members and Boys & Girls Clubs of Southern Nevada staff also wore special T-shirts featuring designs by two youth who won the organization’s T-shirt design contest for the event.
Partnering organizations at the event included the Las Vegas Metropolitan Police Department Office of Community Engagement, Insperity, The Just One Project, the Las Vegas-Clark County Library District and Spread the Word Nevada.
More information about Boys & Girls Clubs of Southern Nevada is available at www.bgcsnv.org.
More information about The Shaquille O’Neal Foundation is available at www.shaqfoundation.org.
Nevada
Terrible’s takeover of Primm gets Nevada regulatory approval
LAS VEGAS (KSNV) — Nevada regulators have given the green light to Terrible’s takeover of Primm casinos and rest stop operations, averting a closure of the state line enclave.
The Nevada Gaming Control Board and Gaming Commission voted Thursday to grant Terrible’s a non-restricted license to operate the three casinos: Primm Valley Resort, Whiskey Pete’s and Buffalo Bill’s.
Terrible’s reached an agreement with the Primm family, which owns the land, and Affinity Gaming, which had been operating the casinos, to assume operations.
Affinity planned to close the resorts, the Flying J gas station, the Primm Travel Center, and a lottery store in California by July 4. A total of 344 employees would have been terminated, many of whom live in apartments in Primm.
Scott Butera, CEO of Affinity, told regulators in May that business has been declining for years, despite efforts to invest in the resorts with new slot machines and a new digital sign. Only Primm Valley Resort has been operating on a full-time basis in recent months.
The Gaming Control Board said they still had serious concerns about the closures, however, particularly with how it would affect employees.
On Thursday, Tim Herbst, president and CEO of Terrible Herbst, told the Gaming Control Board that the deal to transfer control is unorthodox. He said Nevada Gov. Joe Lombardo and Clark County Commissioner Michael Naft reached out to avert the closure and keep the workers employed.
“It all comes down to Nevadans helping Nevadans,” Herbst said.
He said the Primm family and Affinity are still in negotiations regarding what will be left behind, but Terrible’s is ready to assume control of non-gaming assets by July 4.
On Primm’s future, Herbst said he believes the Brightline West train and a supplemental airport would help revitalize the town.
“I think it’s a bright future for the Primm family,” Herbst said. “I think there’s a lot going on there. It may take a little time to figure out the family’s objectives and long-term ranges out there, but I can’t imagine – they’re a smart group of people. I think the state of Nevada and Clark County and the industry will all look favorable about what happens there soon.”
Gaming Control Board member George Assad said the goal was to make sure nobody in Primm lost their job.
“It’s just an example of how we can all move together and move forward and do the right thing,” Assad said.
Nevada
Nevada Secretary of State calls court ruling on Trump election order a ‘big victory’
CARSON CITY, Nev. (KOLO) -Nevada Secretary of State Cisco Aguilar is calling a federal court ruling against the Trump administration a “big victory” after a judge struck down a presidential executive order tied to voter “election requirements.”
The ruling blocks an executive order that would have mandated states require voters to provide proof of citizenship to register.
Aguilar said the decision is a recognition that states have the responsibility to run their elections.
“The constitution is very clear in that states have that duty and obligation,” Aguilar said.
Nevada and 18 other states described the ruling as an overwhelming victory in court.
The court also stopped threats to withhold funding from states that refused to comply with proof-of-citizenship requirements and it throws out a demand for states not to count ballots received after Election Day. However the Supreme Court is expected to make a ruling on the latter of the two in the coming days.
Aguilar said the executive orders were intended for partisan gain.
“I think the fact the president is trying to federalize elections shows he’s trying to influence the election, and again that’s wrong,” Aguilar said. “Voters should decide elections, the president should not choose his voters for our elections.”
Aguilar also said the cost to taxpayers if the executive orders had remained in place would have been an unfair burden.
“To hold states hostage from resources I think is detrimental to the overall responsibility of the federal government,” he said.
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