In this conservative district, Republican incumbent faces allegations of siding with Democrats

Sen. Lisa Krasner (R-Reno) is once again facing off against small business owner and former conservative radio show host Monica Jaye Stabbert in the Republican primary to represent Senate District 16. 

This time, Krasner's support of a bill to expand the state's film tax credit program is front and center.

Senate District 16, which covers Carson City and parts of Reno and Sparks, has long been a conservative stronghold. Krasner has represented the area since 2016 and served three regular sessions in the Assembly before she was elected to the Senate in 2022. 

During her nearly 10-year tenure, Krasner has made election security and sex trafficking key policy issues. She helped pass legislation to abolish the statute of limitations in certain sexual assault cases and co-sponsored a failed bill to require voter ID. Outside of her work in the Legislature, the senator, who is in her 60s, works as an adjunct instructor at Truckee Meadows Community College, teaching courses on the U.S. and Nevada constitutions.

Krasner was one of the few legislators in Northern Nevada who voted in favor of a proposal to expand Nevada's film tax credit program this fall, much to the chagrin of Nevada conservatives who largely saw the bill as a "handout" to Hollywood corporations. The bill would have put Nevada on the hook for $1.8 billion in transferable tax credits over 15 years and was predicted to put the state into a budget deficit. Supporters argued that the bill could have created thousands of jobs, largely in Southern Nevada, and helped diversify the state economy. 

Prominent Nevada conservatives, such as activist Chuck Muth and retired boxer Joey Gilbert, have rallied around Stabbert's election efforts. Ahead of the primaries, Muth sent out an eight-page mailer to constituents that said Krasner has a record of "handing special tax deals to 'woke' movie studios" and failed to fight for her constituents. The conservative outlet Nevada News and Views, which was founded by Muth, published an article in late May titled "Bully in the Building: The Case Against Lisa Krasner."

"She's never publicly explained her vote," Muth wrote in his mailer. "That silence tells you everything you need to know." 

Stabbert has criticized the senator's support of the film tax bill and has presented herself as a more conservative alternative to Krasner. Stabbert has called Krasner a "Democrat in disguise," condemning Krasner for being the only Republican to have an endorsement from the left-leaning union AFL-CIO. She challenged Krasner last cycle, alongside two other candidates, but lost with 21 percent of the vote. Krasner, meanwhile, captured 33.5 percent of the vote.

Stabbert, 59, was also vice president of the Nevada Humane Society and is a Christian minister. 

"I'm not a career politician," Stabbert told This is Reno. "I'm a small-business owner and a neighbor who decided it was time to stop talking about these problems and start fighting for solutions."

Krasner has maintained the backing of Gov. Joe Lombardo (R) and conservative organizations such as Turning Point Action, founded by the late Charlie Kirk. Turning Point Action has included Krasner in its ballot chasing efforts, where they collect mail ballots from voters and deliver them to county election officials. 

Stabbert, meanwhile, has picked up endorsements from the advocacy group Veterans in Politics and former Washoe County Sheriff Chuck Allen. 

Stabbert has slightly outraised Krasner this year with nearly $32,000 in contributions. More than $21,000 of those came in the form of a loan from Martin Stabbert. Krasner, meanwhile, has raised about $31,000 this year, with notable donations from the Clark County Education Association and Sen. Jeff Stone (R-Henderson).

Whoever wins the primary is set to face off against Democrat Chrystal Roll in the fall general election, but the Republican is expected to prevail because of the district's partisan lean. 

Neither Krasner nor Stabbert responded to multiple requests for an interview. 

On the Issues: 

Bipartisanship

The ability to work across the aisle can be a crucial skill for Republican legislators who are operating in a Democrat-controlled Legislature.

Krasner told the Reno-Gazette-Journal that she is "willing to work with Democrats and Republicans alike to get things done for the people of the state of Nevada." She touted her ability to pass bipartisan laws in every legislative session since 2017. During that period, the Legislature passed bills she sponsored to create an International Holocaust Remembrance Day and a resolution related to deceased veterans; she also joined some Democrats in support of the failed film tax bill. 

Stabbert told the Reno Gazette Journal that she thinks workforce development legislation can be a real area of collaboration, especially in industries such as healthcare, technology and skilled trades.

"Jobs aren't a partisan issue," she told the newspaper. 

Stabbert also wrote on her website that her show was removed from a Reno radio station because she is "a strong, no nonsense, conservative woman who cannot be bullied."

Education

Krasner and Stabbert have voiced support for expanding school choice policies.

Krasner, in particular, has described herself as a backer of charter schools and Opportunity Scholarships, which offer needs-based scholarships to private schools and has been a key Lombardo policy proposal. The latter policy has faced criticism from Democrats for diverting public dollars into private schools, while supporters say it can help expand opportunities for underserved students.  

In the 2025 session, Krasner opposed AB441, which would have required new oversight measures for the Opportunity Scholarship program. She also opposed AB205, which would have automatically made sex education available to all students unless parents declined participation. 

Both of those bills were vetoed by Lombardo after passing the Legislature. 

Stabbert described herself as a "tireless advocate for school choice" on her website and that parents should have the "ultimate authority to choose the best environment for their children." 

Public safety

Protecting victims' rights, especially for domestic violence and child abuse survivors, have long been a top issue for Krasner.  

During the 2019 session, Krasner succeeded in getting five bills related to victim rights passed, including extending the time a temporary protection order remains in effect and a measure to expand the definition of sex trafficking. 

Stabbert has also placed an emphasis on public safety in her campaign. She told KOLO 8 that she will place an emphasis on supporting law enforcement and providing resources to first responders if elected to office. 

"My priority is upholding the rule of law, protecting our families, and ensuring that those who break our laws are held accountable," she told KOLO 8.