In the Ward 5 Reno City Council race, it seems to be a competition to face off against current at-large councilman Devon Reese, now running in a redrawn ward as his at-large seat will be eliminated.
Brian Cassidy, who runs Junk King Reno and lists himself as a Republican, received January to March contributions from individuals totaling $3,650 while spending very little.
Cassidy has a website which indicates he wants to build a “community-focused future” and that “his dedication to family and community is the cornerstone of his campaign, reflecting his values of hard work, perseverance, and service.” It also includes a “gameplan to fix Reno.”
Speaking of websites, Sheila Browning-Peuchaud, a former Assistant Professor at the Reynolds School of Journalism, who has been campaigning for a more transparent and ethical Reno, paid Grim Design nearly $5,000 as part of more than $9,000 in expenses, which also included $1,200 to the Apple Store.
She has been just Peuchaud on initial documents, and the B in her maiden name Browning will put her highest up on the ballot alphabetically. Some of her highest donations, totaling over $12,000, come from another Browning and an additional $2,000 from an address in her native Michigan.
Tara Webster, who also has experience in academia, and who entered the race later but is making a strong door to door push to make it to November on a message of being a transformative candidate for accessible housing, childhood care and more sustainability nets raised just $3,000 while spending under $300 during the first three months of the year.
The candidate with the highest overall name recognition lawyer Devon Reese, running on quality of life issues and being accessible, received over $40,000 in early year contributions while spending over $26,000.
His big donors include the Reno Sparks Association of Realtors, the Builders Association of Northern Nevada, Local 169, Local 39, the Circus and Eldorado Joint Venture, Peppermill Casinos and Las Vegas-based law firm Kaempfer Crowell.
Reese’s big expenses have gone to Tissot Solutions and Changing Dynamics Political Consulting. He also sent over $1,000 to the Nevada Independent.