The spotlight’s on Nevada as residents prepare to vote in races for president, U.S. Senate, and 52 legislative seats that will determine the governor’s veto power.

Republican U.S. Senate candidates gathered in Reno Thursday night to debate who among them would be the best challenger to take on Sen. Jacky Rosen (D-NV) in November — and took shots at the elephant not in the room, front-runner and retired Army Capt. Sam Brown.

While individual candidates are subject to a $10,000 contribution limit per cycle ($5,000 each for the primary and general), political action committees in Nevada are allowed to raise and spend unlimited amounts.

Lombardo’s campaign confirmed the fundraising total and said the candidate has $2.95 million in cash on hand, ahead of the state’s Friday deadline for candidates to turn in first quarter fundraising reports. Lombardo ended last calendar year with $2.65 million cash on hand and raised $3.1 million through 2021.

Sisolak’s campaign said the governor has already raised more than $10 million this cycle, which it called the most ever raised for a gubernatorial candidate in state history.

The end of filing means campaign season is officially underway, as candidates — including more than 60 who filed in Clark County on Friday — prepare for the June 14 primary election and Nov. 8 general election.

Cases appear to be plateauing in the state as the virus runs its course, but the spread of COVID-19 differs region by region. In this edition of COVID in Context, we take a deep dive into vaccine hesitancy and share helpful resources and information.

Sisolak announced on Tuesday that he has raised $4.5 million in the calendar year 2021, and has $8.28 million cash on hand. Lombardo reported raising $3.1 million since launching his campaign in June .

Backlash against COVID mitigation measures prevailed from the start of the event, including when attorney general candidate Sigal Chattah introduced herself and joked about “snowflakes with masks” in the venue.

With less than 10 months until Nevada’s primary election, former U.S. Sen. Dean Heller and Clark County Sheriff Joe Lombardo lead the crowded pool of candidates seeking to oust Democratic Gov. Steve Sisolak.