Which Candidates Will Get Through the Primary on June 9th? - Updated
Here are my picks for winners in the contested races in the primary election. I predict that these candidates will face off in the general election in November. Updated from my May 21 article.
Michael Leonard
Jun 08, 2026
This is for Northern Nevada, Washoe County, and the City of Reno, for races with primary challengers. I will pick the winners for the general election after the primary.
These picks are based on my observations of campaign momentum, including yard signs, emails, texts, flyers, mailers, social media posts and comments, and funding, plus my own polls and conversations with candidates and campaign managers.
This is only a prediction list, not an endorsement for any candidate.
Which Candidates Will Get Through the Primary on June 9th?
This is an update to my previous article, with a few changes based on additional information.
Congressional District 2
- No change -
James Settelmeyer - Republican former Nevada State Senator and longtime rancher from Douglas County, who has the endorsement of Amodei.
Website: James Settelmeyer Campaign
Teresa Benitez-Thompson - Democratic former Nevada Assembly Majority Leader representing Reno/Sparks.
Website: Teresa Benitez-Thompson Campaign
Nevada Governor
- No change -
Joe Lombardo - Republican incumbent Governor and former Clark County Sheriff.
Website: Joe Lombardo for Governor
Aaron Ford - Democratic Attorney General and former State Senate Majority Leader.
Website: Aaron Ford for Governor
Attorney General
- No change -
Adriana Guzmán Fralick - Republican attorney and former federal prosecutor.
Website: Adriana Guzmán Fralick Campaign
Nicole Cannizzaro - Democratic Nevada Senate Majority Leader and former prosecutor.
Website: Nicole Cannizzaro Campaign
Secretary of State
- Change -
Shirley Folkins-Roberts - Republican, business leader, and longtime community advocate who has spent her career working in law, business, and public policy.
(Changed from Sharron Angle based on endorsements.)
Website: Shirley Folkins-Roberts for Sec of State
Cisco Aguilar - Democrat incumbent Nevada Secretary of State, and a former attorney and business executive who has focused his tenure on election modernization.
Website: SoS Cisco Aguilar
Senate District 16
- Added -
Monica Jaye Stabbert - Republican, radio talk show host, and business owner.
Website: Monica Jay Stabbert
(This one is close, as there is unrest with the establishment.)
Chrystall Roll - Democrat, social worker.
Website: Chrystall Roll for Nevada
Assembly District 25
- No change -
Michael Ginsburg - Republican businessman and community advocate running on economic and public safety issues in the Reno area.
Website: Michael Ginsburg Campaign
Selena La Rue Hatch - Democratic incumbent Assemblymember. Former educator focused on education funding, housing, and healthcare.
Website: Selena La Rue Hatch Campaign
Reno Mayor
- No change -
Kathleen Taylor - Current Reno Ward 1 councilmember. Small business owner emphasizing “back to basics” government, public safety, and budget management.
Website: Kathleen Taylor for Reno Mayor
Kate Marshall - Former Nevada State Treasurer and former Lieutenant Governor. Known for her fiscal management background and long history in Nevada politics.
Website: Kate Marshall for Mayor
Reno Ward 2
- No Change -
Summer Pellett - Construction business owner and neighborhood-focused candidate emphasizing housing, infrastructure, and quality-of-life concerns in Ward 2.
Website: Summer Pellett Campaign
Matt Johnson - Former small business owner candidate focused on development, public safety, and economic growth in Reno’s urban core.
Website: Matt Johnson Campaign
Washoe County District 2
- Wobbling -
Mike Clark - Republican incumbent County Commissioner, known for speaking out about property rights and skepticism toward expanding county regulation.
(Clark has considerable opposition from Killoran’s camp.)
Website: Mike Clark Campaign
Marie Rodriguez—a Democratic candidate focused on neighborhood planning, affordability, and community services—is also the mother of Joe Rodriguez.
Website: Marie Rodriquez Campaign
Washoe County District 5
- Change -
Rob Pierce - Republican, a Navy veteran, retired AT&T employee, a county board volunteer, and a chaplain.
(Changed from Tammy Holt-Still after polling showed Pierce ahead.)
Website: Rob Pierce for Washoe County Commission
Brian Wadsworth - Democratic candidate and community advocate focused on infrastructure, public services, and balanced growth.
Website: Brian Wadsworth Campaign
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