Sitting commissioners lead fundraising race

This story was revised to indicate a donation to Jim McKalip was from Rep. Mark Amodei's campaign fund.

The two sitting county commissioners seeking re-election are far and away leading in fundraising, according to contribution and expense reports filed with the Nevada Secretary of State.

The April 15 filing deadline is the last one before the primary election and only covers the first three months of the year.

District 1 County Commissioner Danny Tarkanian reported $8,850 in contributions during the last two weeks of the filing period. Of that around $6,000 came from Lake Tahoe residents, with Tahoe East Short Alliance Founder Brett Tibbetts donating $2,500.

Challenger Jim McKalip reported $4,689.10 in contributions. Rep. Mark Amodei's campaign and Gardnerville Ranchos resident Charles Keane each donated $1,000 to McKalip's campaign.

District 3 County Commissioner Mark Gardner reported $7,780.83 in contributions during the first quarter.

His largest single contributor was $2,500 from the South Tahoe Alliance of Resorts. He also received $1,000 from Johnson Lane resident Roberta Thompson and lent his campaign $1,885.83.

Gardner’s opponent, Topaz Ranch Estates resident Mike Tanner, reported no contributions or expenses as of the end of March.

Campaign donations in the race to replace District 5 Commissioner Walt Nowosad are more evenly matched.

Nathan Tolbert reported $605 in contributions while Janet Freixas reported $295.

All six candidates are the only county candidates to appear on the Republican primary ballot.

The winner in the District 1 race will face challengers in the general election. The victors in the District 3 and District 5 primary will essentially be elected, appearing alone on the general election ballot.

Sample ballots for the June 11 primary election are scheduled to be mailed out on May 5. Early voting in the 2024 primary campaign begins May 25.