She called it a “hand up, not a handout.”
Conservatives in Northern Nevada weren't buying it.
When Senator Lisa Krasner took to the Senate floor during last November's special session and delivered her floor speech in favor of a massive Hollywood film tax credit package, she may have sealed her political fate in the June 9 primary.
The bill would have handed out $120 million in annual transferable tax credits to film companies for 15 years. The Assembly passed it 22-20. The Senate killed it 10-8. Krasner was one of the yes votes.
For conservatives who believe government should stay out of the business of picking winners and losers, that vote stings. But it may not even be the biggest problem she's facing.
The Trust Problem
Multiple sources tell Nevada News & Views that Krasner privately assured constituents she would vote against the film tax bill — then voted for it anyway.
One well-connected Washoe County activist and donor, writing in confidence, put it plainly:
“She promised a number of constituents that she would vote against the film tax bill. Instead, she voted in favor.
I accept that my representative will at times take positions that I oppose. But I expect her to be truthful with me.”
The source added that Kathryn Vineyard with the Washoe Freedom Caucus is among the constituents who reportedly received such a promise. NN&V has reached out to Vineyard for comment.
Nevada conservatives have a long memory when it comes to broken promises on taxes. Former Assemblyman Randy Kirner learned that the hard way after he voted for the Margins Tax despite telling constituents he would oppose it.
Voters replaced him. The person they turned to was Lisa Krasner, who won his seat in 2016. Now multiple sources say they see the same pattern playing out — a Republican who campaigned one way and voted another.
Krasner recently appeared at a luncheon in her district. Her primary opponent, Monica Jaye Stabbert, was there.
“Lisa doubled down on her yes vote for the Hollywood Handout and said she would do it again,” Stabbert tells NN&V.
“Even though the vast majority of District 16 wanted a ‘No' vote. That's not listening to the people you represent.”
Bully in the Building
The film tax vote is what voters talk about. The staff situation is what insiders are whispering about.
The well-connected Washoe County donor who spoke with NN&V had a blunt assessment of Krasner's reputation in Carson City:
“Lisa is known as ‘Bully in the Building' because of how she treats her staff.”
Multiple sources describe a consistent pattern of difficult behavior toward staff, legislative colleagues, and others who work with Krasner in Carson City.
A sitting GOP legislator told NN&V that Krasner:
“is abusive to her caucus members, her staff, LCB police, etc.”
One person who worked directly with Krasner in the Legislature described the experience in detail, speaking anonymously out of concern for professional repercussions.
She was, this source said:
“Easily the worst boss I have ever had.”
That source described Krasner blaming staff for her own oversights and threatening termination over situations outside their control. The source also described Krasner verbally abusing a member of the IT staff who came to her office for a routine setup task, accusing him of trying to hack her computer and threatening to have him fired.
“She kept her door closed at all times and would become furious with any person who attempted to open her door to speak with her,” the source said, “including other legislators and staff within her own party.”
The pattern shows up in the numbers. Krasner has reportedly gone through two to three attachés per session, with a single exception.
The Legislative Counsel Bureau has reportedly declined to place additional personnel with her after previous staff complained about their treatment. Two staffers reportedly quit during the 2025 session and filed complaints with the Secretary of the Senate, after which they were reassigned rather than returned to her office.
The source noted that other legislators from both parties regularly checked in on them — because, as this person put it, they already knew how Krasner behaves with staff.
Turning Point Didn't Do Its Homework
Turning Point Action — the 501(c)(4) arm of the Turning Point organization — has inserted itself into the District 16 primary on Krasner's behalf.
The group paid for palm cards and included her in its ballot chase operation, which targets voters who have already received mail ballots. Krasner posted on X on May 16, inviting supporters to knock on doors with the group, and another canvass was organized for May 28.
Another great day walking door to door in #SD16 with #TurningPoint @TPAction pic.twitter.com/LUPQ2cUG2c
— Lisa Krasner, JD; BA (@LisaKrasner4NV) May 28, 2026
Here's the problem. Turning Point Action opened its Las Vegas headquarters in March 2026. They are new to Nevada, and it shows.
Their own scorecard rates Krasner at 85.42 — a score they label “Losing Patriotism.” That's a candidate they chose to invest in for their Nevada debut.
An out-of-state organization that had done its homework would have known about the Hollywood Handout vote. It would have known about the staff complaints.
Nevada voters are under no obligation to follow the lead of an outside group that walked in blind.
The Alternative
Monica Jaye Stabbert is challenging Krasner in the Republican primary for Senate District 16. This is a rematch — Stabbert ran in the 2022 primary and received 21.5% of the vote in a four-way race.
Stabbert draws a sharp contrast:
“The difference between Lisa and me is the basic fact that I don't demean people,” she said.
“I'm a true conservative who would vote for the people of my district.”
She also questions Krasner's conservative credentials, telling NN&V:
“She has a 68% conservative rating from CPAC, and I find that a horrible score and a lie to call herself a Republican.”
On the question of character, Stabbert doesn't mince words.
“Her whole identity is that of an elitist career politician and proves it. She will correct you if you don't put Senator before her name,” Sabbert said.
“I could never do that. I am now and will always be just Monica.”
Nevada News & Views reached out to Senator Krasner for comment via text. She did not respond.
One Vote. Two Weeks.
Lisa Krasner has been in the Nevada Legislature since 2016. She has had a decade to build a record.
That record now includes a vote for a $120 million annual corporate handout to Hollywood, a pattern of broken promises to constituents, and multiple accounts of staff mistreatment serious enough to reportedly prompt formal complaints.
Turning Point Action flew in from out of state and missed all of it. But, Nevada voters didn't.
The June 9 primary is less than two weeks away. Senate District 16 covers Storey County, Carson City, and parts of Washoe County.
If you live there, you have a chance to send a message that careers are built on trust — and lost the same way.
The opinions expressed by contributors are their own and do not necessarily represent the views of Nevada News & Views. This article was written with the assistance of AI. Please verify information and consult additional sources as needed.
