Alexis Hill | Nevada Governor 2026

Overview: The "Technocratic Progressive"

Alexis Hill is the Chair of the Washoe County Commission and a Democratic challenger in the 2026 gubernatorial primary.[6]Hill campaign announcement A former city planner and Sparks native, Hill represents the insurgent left of the Nevada Democratic Party—proposing bold tax reform (a margin tax) that Nevada voters rejected 79-21 in 2014.[7]Nevada SOS, Question 3 (2014) results

Locally, she is known for two things: being the firewall against Robert Beadles' election-denial movement, and for strictly managing commission meetings in ways critics call authoritarian. Her governorship would represent a significant ideological shift from both Lombardo's corporate statism and Ford's establishment transactionalism.

The Case FOR Hill

• Battle-tested against far-right harassment; certified elections despite pressure
• Bold on revenue—willing to propose margin tax others won't touch
• Anti-corporate subsidies stance (opposes Tesla tax breaks)
• Deep administrative experience from city planning background
• Defended libraries against book bans

The Case AGAINST Hill

• Margin tax proposal failed 79-21 statewide in 2014
• Takes developer/realtor money while claiming anti-corporate stance
• Voted FOR homeless camping ban (with Republican opposition)
• Restricted public comment—"authoritarian" perception
• No statewide experience; limited fundraising capacity

Biography

The Planner's Mindset

Hill's worldview is shaped by 10+ years in municipal planning—a field defined by master plans, zoning codes, and 20-year horizons. This produces governance that prioritizes structure and process over populist impulse.

Education

• B.A. Political Science — Texas A&M (2005)
• MPA Public Administration & Policy — UNR (2011)

Pre-Politics Career

• City planner, City of Reno
• City planner, City of Sparks
• Sierra Arts Foundation
• Lake Tahoe Shakespeare Festival

Born

Sparks, Nevada

Native Nevadan credentials essential for Northern Nevada politics.

2005

Graduates Texas A&M

Political Science degree. Conservative institutional environment contrasts with current progressive branding.

2011

MPA from UNR

Master's in Public Administration. Training in the mechanics of government.

2011-2020

City Planning Career

Over a decade in Reno/Sparks planning. Develops "master plan" philosophy.

2020

Elected to Washoe County Commission

Defeats incumbent Republican Marsha Berkbigler by 10 points (55.1%-44.9%) in District 1. Covers Southwest Reno and Incline Village—affluent, educated swing district.

2022-2024

"The Battle for Washoe"

Intense conflict with Robert Beadles' election-denial faction. Certified elections despite pressure. Became national story.

2024

Re-Elected with 57.3%

Defeats Berkbigler again with increased margin. Proves political durability despite controversy.

2025

Announces Gubernatorial Campaign

Challenges Aaron Ford from the left. Proposes margin tax.

Policy Record

2026 Gubernatorial Platform

The "Third Rail": Margin Tax Proposal

Hill explicitly proposes tax reform modeled on Texas's margin tax or a gross receipts tax on businesses. This is Nevada's most politically dangerous conversation.

Historical Context

2014 Education Initiative (Question 3): Proposed margin tax for education funding.
Result: Defeated 79% to 21%.

Nearly 4-to-1 rejection. For Hill to resurrect this indicates either deep ideological conviction or significant misreading of the electorate.

Her Argument

"Nevadans suffer when we don't invest in ourselves." Frames taxation as necessary corrective to underfunded services. Nevada has no corporate income tax.

The Risk

Opponents will point to 2014 result. "Tax-and-spend liberal" label. Library tax also failed in 2024 under Hill's watch.

"No Subsidies for Billionaires"

Explicitly opposes Tesla tax breaks and state-level corporate incentives. Direct attack on Lombardo's economic development model.

Note: Opposes state-level subsidies but facilitates county-level developer approvals from her donors.

Temporary Rent Caps

Supports rent control measures. Criticizes institutional investors for housing unaffordability.

Barrier: Nevada operates under Dillon's Rule. Rent control preempted by state law. This is a promise to lobby the legislature, not an executive action.

Washoe County Commission Record

The Camping Ban Vote (March 2024)

Hill voted FOR an ordinance making it a misdemeanor to camp or live in vehicles on county property.

Vote: Passed 3-2

The Irony: Republican Commissioner Mike Clark voted AGAINST, calling it government overreach that "criminalizes poverty."

The Democrat voted for "law and order"; the populist Republican voted civil libertarian.

Implication: Undermines progressive credentials on poverty. Fortifies standing with suburban homeowners who demanded action on encampments.

Election Certification Firewall

When Commissioners Herman and Clark refused to certify elections or attempted delays (2022, 2024), Hill forced votes through, ensuring deadlines were met.

Strong Record

Envision Washoe 2040

Oversaw adoption of master plan update streamlining development codes. Pro-growth, consistent with planner background.

LibertyVote Ballot Marking Devices — $1.7M

Voted to purchase new voting equipment for vote center transition. Argued necessary for transparency and voter confidence.

Library Defense

Supported Library Board against LGBTQ+ book challenges. Positioned as defender of intellectual freedom.

The "Authoritarian" Perception

Hill's management of commission meetings has drawn intense criticism from both the far-right and civil liberties advocates.

What She Did

• Used "block votes" (consent agenda style) to speed meetings
• Moved public comment to end of meetings
• Limited time allotments for speakers
• Strictly enforced decorum rules

Her Defense

• Meetings were being hijacked by "organized 20-person group"
• Necessary to conduct county business
• Protected staff from harassment
• No formal ethics violations or sanctions

The Trade-off: Solidified base among institutionalists; provided ammunition for "tyrant" narrative. Commissioner Clark provides soundbites about Hill's "tyranny" to opposition media.

Campaign Finance: The Developer Paradox

⚠️

The Pay-to-Play Pattern

While Hill campaigns against "corporate subsidies for billionaires," her local funding comes from the developers she regulates. Forensic analysis reveals troubling correlations between donations and commission votes.

Key Donor Relationships

Locus Development Group LLC

$2,500

High Conflict Risk

Donation: February 5, 2024
Relevant Business: During 2023-2024, Commission processed Envision Washoe 2040 and "Matera Ridge Community Modifiers"—projects in Locus's portfolio.

Frank Lepori Construction

$1,000

High Conflict Risk

Donation: February 15, 2024
Contract: January 2025, staff recommended awarding $403,287.85 Riverbend Trailhead contract to Lepori.

Pattern: Donation → Contract Award → (potential future donation)

Realtor PACs

$3,000+

Ideological Conflict

Donors: Reno Sparks Association of Realtors PAC ($2,500), Incline Village Realtors PAC ($500+)
Conflict: Hill proposes rent control. Realtors oppose rent control.

Their funding suggests they view her rent control rhetoric as non-threatening or her pro-development record outweighs it.

Campaign Viability Assessment

Raised (2024): ~$93,000

Expenses: ~$24,000

Sufficient for County Commission. Woefully inadequate for Governor.

Ford's Advantage: Will command millions from Las Vegas

To compete, Hill must massively scale fundraising—likely deepening developer dependency.

The Contradictions

"Anti-Corporate Welfare" vs. Developer Funding

Says: "No subsidies for billionaires." Attacks Tesla tax breaks.
Does: Accepts donations from Locus Development, Lepori Construction, Realtor PACs. Votes for their zoning changes and contracts.

Attacks multinationals getting state incentives; accommodates local developers who fund her campaigns.

"Progressive" vs. Criminalizing Homelessness

Brand: Progressive Democrat, social justice advocate.
Vote: Supported homeless camping ban. Republican Clark voted against as "government overreach."

"Open Government" vs. Restricted Public Comment

Claim: Defender of democracy and transparency.
Action: Block votes, limited public comment, strict meeting control.

Defines democracy as "correct outcomes" rather than "open process." Legally upheld, but interpretation depends on voter's view of decorum vs. participation.

Rent Control Advocate with Realtor Money

Platform: Supports "temporary rent caps," criticizes institutional investors.
Donors: Realtor PACs who vehemently oppose rent control.

Either her policy is performative, or donors believe her pro-development record outweighs rhetoric.

Tax Reform Champion vs. Failed Library Tax

Proposal: Bold margin tax to fund services.
Track Record: Library tax initiative she supported failed in 2024.

Combined with 2014's 79-21 margin tax defeat, suggests disconnect with taxpayer sentiment.

The Primary Challenge: Hill vs. Ford

Why Is She Running?

Hill's challenge to Ford is either a genuine bid for the governorship or a strategic move to:

• Raise her profile for future Congressional run
• Force Ford to address progressive economic issues (tax reform, corporate subsidies)
• Represent Northern Nevada voice against Las Vegas-centric party

Hill's Advantages

✓ Battle-tested against harassment; proven survivor
✓ Northern Nevada base (Washoe underrepresented in party)
✓ Clear ideological differentiation on taxes
✓ Not entangled in trial lawyer ecosystem

Ford's Advantages

✓ Statewide name recognition and experience
✓ Reid Machine infrastructure, union backing
✓ Massive fundraising capacity ($1.1M first months)
✓ Polling parity with Lombardo (electability argument)

The Spoiler Risk

A crushing primary defeat could end Hill's political career. A close race could force Ford left on economic issues, potentially weakening him in the general. A long, bitter primary could divide the Democratic coalition heading into November.

Influence Network

Allies

Andrew McDonald — Registrar of Voters

Hill tied her fate to defending McDonald's office. His success is her success.

Tahoe Basin Philanthropic Class

Incline Village cultural elite. Sierra Arts, Shakespeare Festival connections.

Trade Unions (Construction)

Operating Engineers Local 3, LIUNA. Benefit from projects Hill approves.

Adversaries

Robert Beadles

Crypto investor, election-denial activist. Filed lawsuits, recall petitions, ethics complaints. Architect of "chaos" Hill fights.

Commissioner Mike Clark

Internal antagonist. Populist right. Provides "tyranny" soundbites. Toxic relationship.

Commissioner Jeanne Herman

Quiet dissenter. Refuses to certify elections. Creates permanent 3-2 split.

Aaron Ford (Now)

Once ally (donated $500). Now primary opponent. Has Reid Machine backing.

Bottom Line: High-Competence / High-Friction

Alexis Hill is an effective administrator who has managed a county in crisis. Her margin tax proposal represents genuine ideological courage—or political miscalculation.

Claim	Evidence	Voter Takeaway
"Anti-Corporate Welfare"	Weak	Contradicted by developer/realtor funding and project approvals
"Election Protector"	Strong	Proven record certifying elections under pressure
"Tax Reformer"	Strong	Committed but historically rejected (79-21 in 2014)
"Authoritarian"	Mixed	Meeting control documented but legally upheld