Tommy White — The Brains Behind the $1.5 Billion Hollywood Hustle
Let me tell you a little story about the real mastermind behind the Hollywood Hustle: Tommy White, the business manager and secretary-treasurer of Laborers Union 872.
A lot of people want you to think the big brains behind this Hollywood Hustle are folks like Peter Ernaut from R&R Partners or Ryan Erwin, the Governor’s consultant.
But let me clear that up—they’re all just Tommy’s puppets.
Yes, even Governor Lombardo. Stick with me while I take you back and explain why.
Tommy knows one thing better than anyone: politicians are easy to play. And he plays them like a fiddle.
The man practically built the legislature we have today.
During COVID, he convinced then-Governor Sisolak to call construction “essential,” which meant his members kept working while everyone else was shut down.
He pushed the Raiders stadium. He pushes everything. And he wins.
Now, I’ve lived here 64 years. I know everybody. And I’m friends with everybody—even when they like to bust my chops.
So after the last legislative session, I was at dinner with five of my old union buddies. We’ve known each other forever.
I’m the only Republican in the group, so I get grief nonstop.
They were still sore that the big movie-studio deal failed that year. So of course, I poked the bear.
I said, “That’s what you get! You really wanted to hand $1.5 billion to Hollywood billionaires who don’t live here and don’t care about this state?”
Right away one of them shot back:
“Don’t worry. Tommy’s got a plan.”
I laughed. “Not even Tommy has that much pull.”
They all laughed harder.
“Just wait. Tommy runs Lombardo, and he’ll get the Governor to call a special session to pass this thing.”
So I asked how they thought that would happen. They broke it down like they were reading from a playbook:
- Tommy hates politicians and calls them “useful idiots.”
- He knows exactly which lobbyists to hire.
- He’s got the Governor and the Governor’s people wrapped up.
- And once he has the pieces, he conducts the whole thing like an orchestra.
Then they told me the lawmakers he needed. Kasama and Hibbetts They call them “Dumb and Dumber.” I couldn’t stop laughing.
Fast-forward to today…
Guess who’s eating crow? Me.
The Hollywood Hustle passed the Assembly exactly the way they told me it would.
And sure enough, Kasama and Hibbetts voted for a $1.5 billion giveaway. It feels like Brian Sandoval 2.0 all over again.
Here’s the sad part:
Some Republicans get so caught up in chasing titles and fancy invitations that they forget who they’re supposed to represent.
And we, the voters, pay the price because we keep electing Republicans who govern like Democrats.
But here’s the good news: people are waking up. I’ve taken hundreds of calls in the last few days, and Nevadans are fired up.
Even the Keystone crowd—normally buttoned-up donors—are so angry they’re talking about “bleach bowls.” More on that another day.
Kasama is running for Clark County Commission, she’ll lose her primary because she’ll finally have to answer to voters—Even the Governor and Tommy White can’t protect her from the Voters.
Hibbetts? He’ll be primaried too.
And the newly appointed Lombardo Puppet—Jason Patchett, along with Melissa Hardy, Greg Hafen, Danielle Gallant—they’re all going to have challengers.
In the words of Michael Corleone:
“All family debts will be paid.”
Now let’s hope the Republicans in the Senate don’t fall for the same trick.
Word is Carrie Buck, Lisa Krasner, Lori Rogich, John Steinbeck, and Jeff Stone are all wobbling.
Let’s pray they don’t drink the Kool-Aid.
And here’s the twist in this whole story:
I’m not angry at Tommy White. Not at all.
He’s doing his job. He’s fighting for his members.
And I’ll admit it—I’m a little jealous. He knows how to play both Democrats and Republicans, and the funniest part?
None of them even realize they’re being played.
So here’s to Tommy White—
the 2025 Legislative MVP, the puppet master of governors, lobbyists, and legislators.
Bravo, Tommy. Bravo.
The opinions expressed by contributors are their own and do not necessarily represent the views of Nevada News & Views. Digital technology was used in the research, writing, and production of this article.
