Musical Chairs Gets Serious When Your Tax Money Is at Stake

Picture this: You’re watching a game of musical chairs, but instead of party games, we’re talking about who controls billions of your tax dollars. That’s exactly what’s happening in Nevada politics right now, and it all started with one big move that set everything else in motion.

Las Vegas City Councilwoman Victoria Seaman resigned her Ward 2 seat to take a position with the Trump administration as a regional director for Health and Human Services in Denver. Sounds like good news for conservatives to have someone on the inside, right? Well, here’s the thing – her departure just created a domino effect that’s reshuffling races across the state.

The Treasurer Race Heats Up

Democratic Assemblyman Joe Dalia announced this week he’s running for state treasurer in 2026. Now, before you roll your eyes about another Democrat wanting to handle taxpayer money, let’s look at what this really means for fiscal conservatives.

Republican Drew Johnson already announced his candidacy back in May, and he’s got the kind of background that should make limited government folks take notice. Johnson has “exposed hundreds of billions of dollars in waste, fraud and abuse of taxpayers’ money at all levels of government that has led directly to reduced spending and lower taxes” during his career as a government watchdog.

Here’s why this matters to you and your family. The state treasurer doesn’t just count money – they decide how to invest billions in taxpayer funds. They manage things like the college savings program and determine whether Nevada gets good deals on government bonds. When someone who knows how to spot waste gets that job, it can save you real money.

Johnson brings serious credentials. He plans to “expand Nevada’s college savings programs to make higher education more accessible” and wants to “maintain and improve Nevada’s AA+ bond rating”. Better bond ratings mean lower interest costs, which means more of your tax dollars go to actual services instead of paying interest to Wall Street.

Democrats Face Their Own Puzzle

The musical chairs game isn’t just affecting Republicans. Assembly Speaker Steve Yeager announced he won’t seek re-election in 2026, leaving a big hole in Democratic leadership. Yeager was thought to be eyeing a run for state treasurer, but with Dalia’s entry into the race, it suggests Yeager will turn up elsewhere. Political insiders speculate that Yeager may be seriously considering a primary against disgraced Clark County Commissioner Justin Jones in District F.

While this spells a Democratic primary bloodbath in the race,  on Tuesday, Republican Assemblywoman Heidi Kasama announced she’s running for Clark County Commission District F. This is huge for taxpayers who care about local spending.

What’s Coming Next

The filing deadline isn’t until March 2026, so expect more surprises. Political insiders say other candidates might jump in once they see how the fundraising shakes out.

Both parties will spend the next year trying to recruit strong candidates and raise money. Republicans need to make sure they support proven fiscal conservatives like Johnson who have actual track records of saving taxpayer money.

Democrats will try to hold onto their statewide offices by arguing their management has been steady. They’ll point to Nevada’s economic recovery and claim credit for keeping the state’s finances stable.

What Conservatives Can Do

First, pay attention to these down-ballot races. Governor and Senate races get all the headlines, but the treasurer and county commission directly affect your daily life.

Second, look at track records, not just campaign promises. Johnson has decades of experience finding government waste and actually getting it eliminated. That’s the kind of background you want managing taxpayer money.

Third, get involved early. These races often come down to just a few thousand votes. Your volunteer work, donations, and vote counting really can make the difference.

The musical chairs game in Nevada politics is far from over. But for conservatives who believe in limited government and fiscal responsibility, there are some real opportunities to elect people who will actually protect your tax dollars instead of just promising to do it.

The choice is yours – but remember, in politics just like musical chairs, you have to pay attention and move quickly when the music stops.

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.