Here's what happened in Northern Nevada's local government primaries

Northern Nevada’s local government primaries delivered key shifts in leadership and competition. In Reno, Kate Marshall, a Democrat and former state lieutenant governor, advanced to the mayoral general election with 45% of the vote, more than double any other candidate. Her campaign emphasized fiscal responsibility and auditing city programs amid Reno’s projected budget challenges starting in 2030. Marshall’s strong showing reflects voter alignment with her message of accountability and forward-looking vision. The race to join Marshall on the November ballot narrowed to Kathleen Taylor and George 'Eddie' Lorton, both Republicans. Taylor maintained a consistent lead over Lorton, though outstanding votes could alter the outcome. Lorton criticized Governor Joe Lombardo’s endorsement of Taylor, calling it an overreach, while Taylor’s campaign declined to comment until final results were confirmed. Devon Reese, a city councilmember, finished fourth, acknowledging his campaign’s disconnect with voters despite a strong message. Reno’s city council will see changes, including new faces in Ward 2, where Matt Johnson and Summer Pellett advanced to the general election. Vanessa Vaupel, a pharmacist endorsed by outgoing Councilmember Naomi Duerr, placed third. Reese, though not up for re-election, will retain his council seat, expressing optimism about the results. A significant upset occurred in Washoe County, where District Attorney Chris Hicks lost his primary after twelve years in office without opposition. His challenger, running for the first time, defeated him, marking a historic shift in local law enforcement leadership. The primary also clarified general election candidates in several city council races, setting the stage for November’s contests. The outcomes reflect voter priorities, from fiscal oversight in Reno’s mayoral race to challenges to long-standing incumbents. With key races now defined, campaigns will focus on general election strategies as the November vote approaches.