Mayoral Races to Watch in Southern Nevada

A few years ago, we ran a Mayoral Monday series on the race to determine the first Las Vegas mayor not named Goodman in 25 years. Well, today we look at this year’s mayoral races in Henderson and North Las Vegas. They’re both rematches, since we could’ve settled this during primary season, but none of the candidates topped 50% of the vote, leading to runoff elections on Nov. 3.

🗳️ Henderson

The candidates: The runoff feels like little more than a formality for Mayor Michelle Romero. The incumbent received just under 50% in the June primary, while Hollie Chadwick, Henderson’s former police chief, finished second with 23%.

How they’re different: Romero represents continuity. Whether you like Henderson or not, she’s responsible for much of it. The former City Council member became mayor in 2022 and is defending a record that emphasizes the city’s growth, development, and quality of life. Chadwick, a 22-year law-enforcement veteran, is running as a change candidate, promising to clean up City Hall while criticizing its workplace culture, turnover, and lack of transparency.

Politics: This is a nonpartisan race, although Romero earned the endorsement of Nevada’s top Republican: Gov. Joe Lombardo.

Big issues facing Henderson: While Henderson grows with new communities and industries (from manufacturing to data centers), Romero says the city is short roughly 6,000 “attainable” homes. Henderson also faces pressure to increase city revenues while residents grow frustrated with the growing pains of road construction and traffic congestion. As the immigration debate continues, Henderson operates an ICE detention center, not far from City Hall itself, which has seen council member infighting, resignations, lawsuits, and other drama.

Controversies: Chadwick was fired as police chief in 2025 after City Manager Stephanie Garcia-Vause claimed to lose confidence in her leadership. Chadwick defended her record and criticized the city's high turnover of law enforcement leadership. Romero, meanwhile, has been feuding with Councilwoman Carrie Cox, who was censured and faces felony battery charges in a City Council confrontation.

🗳️ North Las Vegas

The candidates: Daniele Monroe-Moreno, a state assemblymember and Nevada Democratic Party chair, faces Scott Black, a North Las Vegas councilman and mayor pro tem. Monroe-Moreno received about 46% in the primary while Black earned just under 43%.

How they’re different: Black offers municipal experience and continuity, pointing to North Las Vegas’ economic turnaround and growth during his nine years on City Council. Monroe-Moreno brings state legislative and budget experience and has focused more heavily on affordability, neighborhood investment, and seeing that jobs from the economic expansion go to city residents.

Politics: Like Henderson, this is a non-partisan race. Black has a history of identifying as Republican, while Monroe-Moreno has long political ties to the Democratic Party.

Big issues facing North Las Vegas: North Las Vegas is in a boom phase, attracting warehouses, distribution centers, data centers, and manufacturing — much of it in Apex Industrial Park. Yet concerns remain about housing and rent affordability. Downtown North Las Vegas is also in the process of reinventing itself as a walkable urban destination and the next mayor will oversee much of that.

Controversies: Black's candidacy faced a term-limit lawsuit arguing that a four-year mayoral term would push him beyond Nevada's 12-year municipal limit. A judge rejected the challenge because Black has not yet served 12 years. If elected, he would be limited to one term as mayor.