Who's behind super PAC spending in Nevada's most competitive congressional race?

In today's edition: More on that fiery AG debate. Plus: Who's behind the shadowy group backing James Settelmeyer; rival hate websites; and the interest group advocating for mail-in voting.

With early voting in full swing, you know what else is back: Indy CEO Jon Ralston's early voting blog! Check it out for daily analysis on turnout trends. Also: consult our voter guide, where we've just added a new judicial races section and a "where to vote" search tool, and read on for the behind-the-scenes dynamics of the most important races.

Programming Note: We'll be publishing additional, email-only editions of this newsletter until the primary. We want to hear from you! Email your newsletter editor Mini Racker at [email protected]. 

What to know about the spiciest primary

If you're ranking the spiciest Nevada primary races to watch this year, the Democratic primary in the attorney general's race between Senate Majority Leader Nicole Cannizzaro (D-Las Vegas) and Treasurer Zach Conine (D) has to be at the top of the list. 

Not only has it seen the highest level of campaign ad spending for a Democratic primary so far this cycle, but last week's debate saw more mudslinging than policy discussion.

I'm planning to fact check some of the more hair-raising allegations made during the debate and in campaign advertisements. 

While I work on that, I recommend you read the rundown of the debate from my colleagues Kate Reynolds and Howard Stutz, this policy piece and our brand new look at why the relationship between the two candidates has become so acrimonious.

— Tabitha Mueller

What we're reading and writing

What you need to know about early voting.

There are 8 Democrats running in the primary for the 2nd Congressional District. Here's the fastest rundown you'll get.

Are candidates ignoring Nevada's biggest new political issue?

Video game composer and 3rd Congressional District candidate Marty O'Donnell (R) hosted a neo-Nazi on his podcast. 

Indy Ad Watch: National Republicans rescuing Settelmeyer?

A new ad running in the 2nd Congressional District GOP primary goes negative on retired Lt. Col. David Flippo (R) and highlights former state Sen. James Settelmeyer's (R-Minden) connections to President Donald Trump. 

But who's behind the ad? Campaign finance documents provide some hints.

The super PAC credited, Conservatives for American Excellence, is Nevada-based and has already spent more than six figures in the district, according to filings with the Federal Election Commission. Its treasurer, Chrissie Hastie, has ties to several Nevada entities, including Gov. Joe Lombardo's (R) dark money nonprofit. 

The group's bare-bones website showcases other candidates it has supported across the country, including several who won crowded primaries with Trump's endorsement. 

Its biggest donors include another little-known group called Conservative Americans PAC, Citadel CEO Ken Griffin, billionaire Paul Elliott Singer — a top donor to national Republicans — and the Coalition for American Excellence. The board of that organization includes former Republican National Committee National Political Director Chris Carr, who helmed a pro-Lombardo PAC in 2022.  

Recent disclosures show Conservatives for American Excellence received a $250,000 donation last month from Arleigh Impact Corp., yet another shadowy group with ties to national Republicans. 

Flippo addressed the ad in a text sent to voters on Thursday, writing, "You might have seen that a Never-Trump Chicago Billionaire is dumping a lot of money into TV ads lying about me," a reference to Griffin, who ultimately voted for Trump despite vocally criticizing the president.

Conservatives for American Excellence has also recently spent on mail and texts opposing Flippo and supporting Settelmeyer. But an outside group supporting Flippo — American Honor PAC — has also spent big in the race. 

As super PACs, both groups are prohibited from coordinating with candidates and must file reports within 24 hours when they spend more than $1,000 in the 20 days before an election. 

— Mini Racker

Mini Series: So obsessed with me

🤬 Family feud — Things are heating up in the GOP primary for treasurer. Drew Johnson (R), a policy analyst, and longtime financial executive Jeff Carter (R) have launched rival hate websites featuring AI-generated images and links to unflattering news articles. 

• Carter's, shadydrew.com, calls Johnson a "perennial candidate," citing his attempts to unseat Rep. Susie Lee (D-NV) and Clark County Commissioner Justin Jones. 
• Johnson's, CreepyCarter.com, disparages Carter as the most "Anti-Trump GOP Candidate in America." Johnson told The Indy that he only made the website after Carter launched shadydrew.com and that he had to block Carter on social media after he "relentlessly" attacked him.

❓ "I don't know her" — In early May, Carter released a digital ad featuring him and Gov. Joe Lombardo (R) side by side with the caption "fighting for Nevada." Meta's ad library indicates that he's spent around $2,000 on the ad with views in the five-figure range.

• But Lombardo has not endorsed a candidate in the treasurer's race, according to his campaign spokesperson Elizabeth Ray. When asked about the ad via text, Carter told The Indy to reach out to Rick Gorka, who is handling his campaign. Gorka said that "Governor Joe Lombardo deserves the best ticket possible."

✉️ Going postal? — "Keep it, protect it, expand it," was the slogan this week when a union representing Nevada postal workers gathered to advocate for protecting mail-in voting. This included the release of an ad by the American Postal Workers Union that will air in Las Vegas and Reno. 

• The union, which is affiliated with the AFL-CIO, said it's a response to "some in Washington [who] are trying to delegitimize mail ballots and create hurdles to casting a ballot outside a polling place." 
• President Donald Trump issued a March executive order placing more restrictions on mail ballots. It's been tied up in court.The union also released polling showing that a third of voters across the country are using mail ballots, according to Hart Research. Among seniors, that number ticks up to 46 percent. There is also a split among party lines, with 44 percent of Democrats reporting relying on mail-in ballots compared with 28 percent of Republicans. About 45 percent of votes cast in Nevada's 2024 election were made using a mail ballot.

🍦 Four more scoops! — The City of Henderson is encouraging kids to develop voting habits at a young age by letting them pick their favorite of something every kid has an opinion on: ice cream. 

• The city is inviting children under 18 to Henderson City Hall from May 23 through June 9 to select their favorite ice cream flavor. This year's candidates are chocolate, cookie dough, mint chip and rainbow sherbet. 
• Nearly 1,500 kids cast a vote in Henderson's ice cream election in 2024. Cookies and cream triumphed that year but is not seeking re-election, for reasons unknown (presumably term limits?).
• The election is bound to be a competitive one, although sources say reporters at The Indy prefer cookie dough. Sadly, we're all too old to vote. (Editor's note: It's very close with some of these reporters.)

— Isabella Aldrete, Oona Milliken and Kate Reynolds

Looking Ahead

• Wednesday, May 27 — Last day to update voter registration and receive a mail ballot
• Wednesday, May 27 — DNC kicks off 2028 early state presentations in D.C. 

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A post that caught our eye: 

The contentious attorney general debate caused a stir on social media — with lawmakers from both chambers weighing in to boost Senate Majority Leader Nicole Cannizzaro (D-Las Vegas). 

We'll see you next week. 

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