More than 1,000 candidates had filed to run for federal, state, and local offices across Nevada as of midday Friday, according to the Nevada Secretary of State’s Office.
Friday marks the final day of the two-week candidate filing period for non-judicial offices. Once the filing window closes and candidate lists are finalized, the field for Nevada’s 2026 midterm elections will be set.
In northern Nevada, several high-profile contests are already drawing attention, including Gov. Joe Lombardo’s reelection bid, the open race for Nevada’s 2nd Congressional District following Rep. Mark Amodei’s retirement announcement, and the race to replace termed-out Reno Mayor Hillary Schieve.
Lombardo is seeking a second term as governor and is widely expected by political observers to move through the Republican primary without a significant challenge. As of midday Friday, several Republican and nonpartisan candidates had filed for the office, including Barak Zilberberg, Donald J. “Donald Jr.” Beaudry Jr., Irina Hansen, Jose M. Zelaya, Matthew R. Winterhawk, and Kameron M. Hawkins.
On the Democratic side, Nevada Attorney General Aaron Ford and Washoe County Commissioner Alexis Hill are among the candidates seeking the party’s nomination. Other Democratic candidates who had filed include Emile Bouari, Miqehl Bayfield, and Sunshine Arterburn. Additional candidates listed as nonpartisan include Allen Rheinhart, Danielle Ford, Emilio R. Rodriguez, John T. Scott, and Jordan Koteras.
The race to replace Amodei in Nevada’s 2nd Congressional District has drawn one of the largest candidate fields in the state. As of midday Friday, 24 candidates had filed for the seat, which represents all of northern Nevada.
Republicans in the race include Andrea Lowe, Bruce Grego, Fred J. Simon Jr., George Forbush, James Settelmeyer, Jennifer Billat, Jerry Olsen, Jesse J. Watts, Michael “Mike” Smith, Monica Jaye Stabbert, Rick Shepherd, Sherman Tylawsky, Tom Doyle, and Douglas “Doug” Miller.
Democrats who had filed include Gamaliel Z. “Gamy” Enriquez, Johnny E. Kerns, Josh Hebert, Kathy Durham, Mark Jolle, Matthew Fonken, Morgan Wadsworth, Teresa F. Benitez-Thompson, and Robert G. “Greg” Kidd. Lynn Chapman filed as a candidate for the Independent American Party.
In Reno, nine candidates had filed as of Friday morning to replace Mayor Hillary Schieve, who is unable to seek another four-year term due to term limits. The candidates for the nonpartisan office include Corinthia M. Yancey, Devon T. Reese, George “Eddie” Lorton, Greg “Nutt” Nuttle, Jesse O. Razo, John Wayne Zink, former Nevada Lieutenant Governor Kate Marshall, Kathleen Taylor, and Tim Ross.
In Sparks, Mayor Ed Lawson is seeking a second full term leading the city after first being appointed to the position in 2020. Lawson faces a field that includes Sparks City Councilwoman Charlene Bybee, Wendi M. Rawson, and Diana L. Mackey.
In Washoe County, Sheriff Darin Balaam had filed for reelection and, as of Friday morning, remained the only candidate to do so. If no additional candidates file before the deadline, Balaam would automatically win reelection.
Washoe County District Attorney Chris Hicks has also filed for reelection and will face a challenger for the first time since taking office. Sparks City Attorney Wes Duncan has filed to run against Hicks, and the two will advance directly to the general election if no other candidates enter the race before the filing deadline.
Meanwhile, Reno City Attorney Karl Hall confirmed he will not seek another term. Hall has held the position since winning the election in 2014. As of Thursday, attorney and professor Zee Bogale was the only candidate to file for the office. If no other candidates enter the race before the deadline, Bogale would win the seat by default.
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