Local Primary Races to Watch in Southern Nevada

We took a close look at statewide offices last week, so let’s zero in on the races getting the most attention on a local level in Southern Nevada. The primary is June 9 with early voting May 23-June 5.

Henderson Mayor

Henderson Mayor Michelle Romero is running for reelection with a strong prognosis since she won her first term with 76% of the vote in the 2022 primary. (In the nonpartisan race, the top two face off in November if a candidate doesn’t exceed 50% of the vote.) The closest challenger, Hollie Chadwick, was terminated as Henderson police chief last year and trails in fundraising.

North Las Vegas Mayor

Term limits keep Mayor Pamela Goynes-Brown from running for reelection during a period when North Las Vegas is on the upswing. While the office is nonpartisan, the leading contenders include city councilman Scott Black, who identifies as Republican, and Democratic assemblymember Daniele Monroe-Moreno, who's also chair of the Nevada Democratic Party. (Like Henderson, the 50% threshold will determine if a runoff is needed in the fall.) There’s been a legal challenge over Black potentially violating term limits if he wins, since the mayor is a voting member of City Council.

Clark County Commissioner, District F

Democratic incumbent Justin Jones declined to run for reelection over a scandal involving deleted text messages, leaving the door wide open for his District F seat, which includes the Southwest Valley. If a Republican can flip the seat, it will either be Assemblymember Heidi Kasama (endorsed by Gov. Lombardo) and former Democrat Albert Mack (endorsed by Sheriff Kevin McMahill, and whose family name is the “Mack” in Thomas & Mack) in a race that’s described as the ugliest in Nevada this season.

The Democratic side is a little more crowded. Former Republican and founder of the Bamboo Bridges nonprofit Minddie Lloyd appears to be the frontrunner with endorsements from Jones and County Commissioner Tick Segerblom. She faces spirited campaigns by Armenian advocate and attorney Lenna Hovanessian and Minja Yan, a former adjunct professor at UNLV involved in Chinatown’s redevelopment plans.

Henderson City Council

Henderson City Council Member Carrie Cox will overcome some rough headlines, including confrontations with coworkers and a felony charge for allegations of secretly recording one, to win election. Her opponents are Jennifer Atlas and Annette Dawson Owens. The latter has endorsements by the mayor and other city council members.

Pahrump Justice of the Peace

Armed with doughnuts and a pardon from President Trump, Michele Fiore is hoping to win back her seat as Pahrump Justice of the Peace following a suspension for fraud involving misuse of funds for a police memorial. She’ll face the person appointed to fill her position, businessman Michael Foley, who doesn’t appear to have a campaign website 🤔