Who Has Power in Northern Nevada?

Our Substack is a recap of recent Our Town Reno reporting plus bonus content.

Oct 02, 2024

The current election cycle is upon us even as many feel disillusioned by some of the choices on offer and how some of the state and local ballot questions are phrased and understood.

With sample ballots now arriving, debates done with, early voting starting in just a few weeks, the Registrar of Voters in yet another pre-voting phase of upheaval, with we the people about to cast our votes in local, city, county, state and federal elections, it got us thinking: here in northern Nevada who really has power? And if they have it, how and why do they wield it?

Is it virtue signaling economic pro-growth at any cost elected centrists? Is it the casino families of yore still holding onto local turf and strings? Is it the developers and construction companies also spraying contribution money around to yes type incumbents?

Is it the social media trolls, or the boutique pr and marketing machinists, sometimes the same people playing both roles, personally and professionally?

Is it judges in our courtrooms? Is it mainstream media? Is it the firefighter and police unions negotiating yet another favorable, economically problematic contract? Is it the city and county managers who direct their growing and well paid staff? Is it the Sheriff’s Office? Is it owners of car dealerships with deep pockets? Is it shadow backroom movers and shakers who sit on multiple boards? Is it professors on the hill or their bosses widening the UNR imprint?

Is it the multi generational families of wealth with connections up and around the high desert country?

Tell us who you think it is, and whether you believe our voting has any impact locally.