Donors weigh in on Nevada governor’s primary

While no one has cast a vote in the 2022 Republican Nevada primary governor’s race, donors have already weighed in on the field of nine candidates.

With only two months before filing opens in Nevada, candidates for governor filed their first contributions and expense reports for 2022.

Carson Valley resident and surgeon Fred Simon’s campaign reported $11,707 remaining in his war chest, the lowest amount of any of the candidates.

Simon, who was first to announce that he intended to seek the office, raised $183,369, of which Simon provided $125,650, and spent $171,662 in his bid to become the Republican nominee.

The Record-Courier reached out to the Simon campaign on Monday, but has not heard back.

That was twice what Reno resident Thomas Heck raised, but Heck managed to make it through 2021 with $14,219.93 still in his coffers.

Reno attorney Joey Gilbert reported still having $65,346.99, after raising $325,630.75.

Las Vegas Councilwoman Michelle Fiore and former U.S. Sen. Dean Heller seized the middle ground.

Fiore has $189,570.62 left after raising $598,868.36 while Heller reported $265,186 left of $650,102.17.

Las Vegan Guy Nohra raised $1.3 million, of which $1.235 million was from his own pockets. He reported spending $729,033.

North Las Vegas Mayor John Lee filed his contributions and expense report for his current office, though it included donations received since he announced his candidacy for governor.

He reported raising $1.595 million and spending $999,962 during the reporting period, leaving him with $798,019 in the bank.

Clark County Sheriff Joe Lombardo reported raising $3.141 million and having spent $992,629, leaving him with $2,651,513 in the bank for the home stretch before filing.

Candidate Las Vegas resident Barak Zilberberg filed a financial disclosure statement instead of the contributions and expenses report.

The form lists $210,050 from the candidate as an investment. He lists $2,059.70 in the same category from other individuals.

According to the Nevada Secretary of State’s Office, anyone who has received contributions of $100 or more is required to file a report.

Reports are public record and can be seen at www.nvsos.gov/sos/elections under candidate information and clicking on Campaign Finance Reporting Requirements.