Kamala in Las Vegas attacks Trump for 'war that nobody wants'

Indy Elections takes you behind the headlines of Nevada politics, delivering scoops and smart analysis on the races that could reshape our lives. You can change your newsletter settings here.

In today's edition: What happens with Kamala in Vegas doesn't stay in Vegas. Plus: Mail ballots are here, statewide primaries we're watching and Nevada keeps waiting for a U.S. attorney.

Almost 105,000 mail ballots have already been sent out, meaning the primary is officially underway. Be sure to check out our voter guide for details on candidates, recommended reading and even a presidential campaign visit tracker. Your usual newsletter host, Mini Racker, is on vacation, so I'll be taking over temporarily. Reach out with any questions or concerns!

This newsletter is published every week. Email your newsletter editor, Mini Racker at [email protected] Tabitha Mueller, at [email protected]. 

Meet Mr. Rural Nevada

Though I'm now mostly out of the reporting game, I always enjoyed chasing down or talking to state Senate Majority Leader James Settelmeyer (R-Minden). Cutting a striking figure in his cowboy hat and unique gait, I always found him to be a thoughtful interviewee.

Having that background, I was so impressed by Mini Racker's recent profile of Settelmeyer. Though Mini had never been to this area and spent only a few days with him, she expertly captured the je ne sais quoi of Settelmeyer — and I think gave a great glimpse into who he is as a person and how he would approach Congress. 

Give it a read here, and stay tuned for more coverage on the state's first open congressional seat in 15 years — including an in-depth look at Democratic candidate Teresa Benitez-Thompson.

— Riley Snyder

What we're reading and writing

Michele Fiore was banned from her courtroom for two years, but thanks to a pardon from President Donald Trump (R), she's running again. 

Everything you need to know about a GOP-led complaint surrounding Reno mayoral hopeful Kate Marshall's old campaign donations.

When a crypto mogul donates more than $2.5 million to a Nevada AG candidate, the national media takes notice.

D.C. Carson City Download: The races we're watching

The Nevada Independent's team has been hard at work previewing statewide races and some of the most interesting legislative primaries. 

In the statehouse, 11 of the state Senate's 21 seats are on the ballot. The balance of power in the chamber comes down to whether Republicans can flip three seats to gain a majority, or whether Democrats can flip one seat (while maintaining their current numbers) to secure a two-thirds veto-proof supermajority. In the Assembly, Democrats are one seat shy of a two-thirds supermajority. 

Here's a quick roundup of some of those stories:

• Republican primary for secretary of state featuring Northern Nevada businesswoman Shirley Folkins-Roberts, former Assm. Sharron Angle, former Assm. Jim Marchant and Socorro Keenan, who is running in her third consecutive election cycle.
• Republican primary for attorney general with Douglas County Commissioner Danny Tarkanian squaring off against lawyer Adriana Guzmán Fralick, who's been endorsed by Gov. Joe Lombardo (R).
• Democratic primary for attorney general, where Senate Majority Leader Nicole Cannizzaro (D-Las Vegas) is going toe-to-toe with Treasurer Zach Conine.
• Republican primary for treasurer with policy analyst Drew Johnson facing longtime financial executive Jeff Carter.
• Democratic primary for treasurer where Tya Mathis-Coleman, a current staffer in the treasurer's office, is facing Assm. Joe Dalia (D-Henderson).
• Democratic primary for Senate District 2 with Sen. Edgar Flores (D-Las Vegas) seeing a challenge from North Las Vegas Councilman Isaac Barron.
• Democratic primary for Assembly District 15, which pits city planner Miguel Davila against Assm. Howard Watts (D-Las Vegas).
• Republican primary for Assembly District 40 featuring Julie Butler, the former head of the Nevada DMV, Stacy Woodbury, a Southwest Gas public affairs manager with a long history of government service, Drew Ribar, a conservative activist and businessman who has frequently sued Northern Nevada governments, and Rich Harvey, the former chief of the Central Lyon County Fire Protection District.

Coming soon: a preview of Assembly District 39's Republican primary and Assembly District 9's Democratic primary.

— Tabitha Mueller

2028 Watch: Kamala comes back to Vegas

Former Vice President Kamala Harris (D) was in Las Vegas last week for a fireside chat moderated by Assm. Sandra Jauregui (D-Las Vegas). Earlier that day, Harris was the featured guest at a lunch fundraiser for Attorney General Aaron Ford, a Democrat running for governor. 

• It was her first visit to the state since March 2025, when she came to speak at an artificial intelligence-focused conference. 
• Harris said she was upset with what she perceives as the U.S.'s declining economy and discredited reputation under Trump. She reserved particular criticism for the war in Iran, which she described as a "war that nobody wants" and said Trump's defenses of it were "bullsh*t," prompting a raucous reaction from the 400-person crowd.
• Harris publicly endorsed Ford: "This upcoming election in Nevada is going to be so important," she said. "Aaron Ford winning for governor is going to be so important."
  • Ford didn't attend the public event, but Alexis Hill, the Washoe County commissioner and his main competition in the Democratic primary for governor, did.
    • "Voters nationwide are struggling to understand the party's decisions, frustrated that we won't take the candidates they love seriously, and disappointed that it sometimes feels we aren't living our values," Hill wrote in a statement to The Indy. She added that she loved the Democratic Party but wished it was open to "new voices and ways to lead."
• Voters told The Indy they came to the event because they are looking for Democrats who will be fighters for liberal causes, describing the party's current leadership as weak.
  • "We gotta fight back dirty at some point," said Stephanie Frias, an elementary school teacher from Pahrump who voted for Harris in 2024.

— Kate Reynolds

Indy Ad Watch: Flippo-ing the Script

Retired Lt. Col. David Flippo (R) is spending big money in the primary for Nevada's 2nd Congressional District. According to AdImpact, he recently booked $75,000 in ad spending for this week in Reno and $160,000 for future weeks on broadcast and cable. 

One spot highlighted on AdImpact, "More Fire Power," highlights his military record, as well as his desire to "deport all illegal immigrants" and bolster President Donald Trump. 

Another spot highlights support from rancher Jack Payne, who organized a Ranchers for Trump rally in 2024. 

AdImpact has recorded only one other reservation in the race: An ad buy of $7,015 from George Forbush. According to the most recent campaign finance reports, Flippo is the most flush by far. If nothing changes, the race will be a test of just how far money can go.

— Mini Racker 

Mini Series: The primary is officially on

📨 Ballots are coming in — More than 1,300 ballots have been turned in to election officials as of Monday, including about 1,000 mail ballots, which must be sent to voters in the next week, and 300 through the Effective Absentee System for Elections online system for military members and others.

🥊 Dem PAC attacking Conine — Leadership in Nevada, a PAC run by Democratic political operative Megan Jones, has sent mailers and launched a website and online ads attacking Treasurer Zach Conine for receiving seven-figure donations from Jeffrey Berns, the Blockchains founder and CEO, in his attorney general bid. 

• The PAC, founded in 2015, was essentially defunct for the past several years and last received a donation in 2022.

🐌 The wait for a permanent US attorney continues — As the legal case over Sigal Chattah's eligibility as Nevada's top federal law enforcement official remains pending, there hasn't been much development in the status of her potential replacement. In February, the White House nominated Las Vegas attorney George Kelesis as U.S. attorney for Nevada, but as of last week, he still hasn't met with Sen. Jacky Rosen (D-NV), who holds considerable power in the viability of his nomination. Kelesis did not respond to multiple requests for comment.

✨Double, Double Toil and Trouble — Culinary Union and AFL-CIO released a set of double endorsements in some of the most competitive races this primary cycle, most notably the Democratic attorney general primary between Cannizzaro and Conine. 

• Culinary Union and AFL-CIO have also released a dual endorsement of recovery advocate Ryan Hampton and Maria Teresa Hanks, a shop steward for Transport Workers Union Local 556, in the competitive Democratic primary in Assembly District 9. 
• Susie Martinez, executive secretary-treasurer of the Nevada State AFL-CIO, told The Indy this weekend that dual endorsements are nothing "new or alarming." The AFL-CIO also endorsed both Democratic candidates in the Assembly District 41 race.
  • "These are tough decisions that we have to make when we feel that they both bring something to the table," Martinez said. "That's what happens when they get the dual endorsement."

— Eric Neugeboren and Isabella Aldrete

Looking Ahead

• Wednesday, May 20 — Democratic debate for attorney general.
• Wednesday, May 27 — The last day to update registration and be mailed a ballot.
• Saturday, May 23 - Friday, June 5  —  Nevada's early voting period.

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A post that caught our eye: 

Congratulations to David Calvert, a longtime freelance photographer for The Indy who's been fighting cancer since August, on his promotion to assistant professor. There's no one better for the role.

We'll see you next week. Interested in more newsletters from The Nevada Independent? Find all of them here.