Talk about making an entrance. Albert Mack just dropped a bombshell in the Clark County Commission race that has everyone talking. The businessman announced he raised a whopping $1 million in his first month running for District F. That’s not just good. That’s the biggest first-month haul ever for a challenger in this race.
Here’s what makes this even more interesting. Mack is matching every single dollar donors gave him. That means he put up $500,000 of his own money. Over 100 donors pitched in the other half. When someone is willing to bet that much of their own cash on a race, you know they mean business.
Who’s Running for This Seat
The District F seat covers the southwest part of Las Vegas valley. It includes neighborhoods like Mountain’s Edge and Southern Highlands. The current commissioner, Democrat Justin Jones, isn’t running again. He got in hot water last year when a judge sanctioned him for deleting text messages in a lawsuit.
That mistake cost taxpayers $80 million in a settlement. That’s your money and my money down the drain.
Three main candidates want the job now. First, there’s Mack, the CEO of a private equity firm called TBD Group. His grandfather was Jerome Mack, who founded the Bank of Las Vegas. You might recognize the name from the Thomas and Mack Center at UNLV.
Then there’s Republican Assemblywoman Heidi Kasama. She’s been in the state Assembly since 2020. Before that, she was an accountant and real estate agent. She owns her own business and talks a lot about bringing fiscal discipline to the county.
The wild card is Becky Harris. She used to be a Republican state senator and was the first woman to chair the Nevada Gaming Control Board. But here’s the kicker. She just ditched the Republican Party and filed as a non-partisan candidate. That means she skips the primary and goes straight to the general election ballot.
Harris says she didn’t know that would happen when she switched. She claims she’s just tired of both parties and their fighting. But conservatives aren’t buying it. It sure looks like she’s trying to avoid facing Mack and Kasama in a Republican primary.
The Film Credit Vote Could Matter
This race could get more interesting because of what’s happening in Carson City. State lawmakers are talking about giving Hollywood studios over $1.5 billion in tax credits. They tried to pass this during the regular session but ran out of time. Now they want to bring it back in a special session.
Las Vegas Review-Journal columnist Victor Joecks made an interesting point about this. He noted that if Kasama goes to Carson City and supports these film tax credits, it could become a big campaign issue, writing:
“…she’d be handing her well-funded opponent a massive club to (politically) smack her with.”
Mack could use her vote to argue she’s not really a fiscal conservative.
The film credit debate has split Nevada politicians. Senate Republican Minority Leader Robin Titus has come out strongly against the film credits. She says there’s no support among Republicans for bringing this back in a special session. She meets weekly with Governor Lombardo and has made it clear she’s not thrilled about the whole film tax credit scene.
Some say it will bring jobs and help diversify the economy. Critics call it a massive giveaway to wealthy Hollywood studios.
Why Mack’s Money Matters
A million dollars raised in one month sends a message. It tells other candidates that Mack is serious. It tells voters he has support. It tells the establishment that business as usual might be over.
District F has about 243,000 registered voters. Nearly 40 percent are non-partisan. Democrats make up 28 percent and Republicans are 26 percent. That means this race is winnable for a conservative who can appeal to independent voters.
Mack said in his announcement that voters are tired of business as usual. His fundraising numbers suggest plenty of people agree with him. Over 100 donors in just one month shows grassroots support beyond just big checks.
What Happens Next
The primary election is still months away. Mack and Kasama will face off for the Republican nomination. Harris will sit back and wait for the general election. Democrats haven’t named their candidate yet, but Assembly Speaker Steve Yeager might jump in.
The county commission controls a huge budget. They make decisions about property taxes, business regulations, and how neighborhoods develop. With issues like the $80 million settlement fresh in voters’ minds, taxpayers are paying attention.
Conservatives who want limited government should watch this race closely. The primary between Mack and Kasama could come down to who voters trust more to actually fight for fiscal responsibility. Harris jumping in as a non-partisan adds another wrinkle that could split the conservative vote in November.
With a million dollars already raised and months to go before the election, expect this race to heat up even more. Mack has shown he has the resources to compete. Now voters will decide if his message of change resonates.
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.
