Adam Mayberry: Definitely Not a Career Politician (Just Don’t Check the Résumé)
Our Town Reno posted Mayberry’s announcement with caused us to pause because how do we know he’s not a career politician.
Adam Mayberry wants you to know one thing: he’s not a career politician.
At least, that’s the story he’s sticking to as he gears up for another run — this time in one of Washoe County’s reddest corners.
But let’s rewind the tape:
School Board Race, 2022: Mayberry raised a jaw-dropping $107,000 for a school trustee campaign — yes, trustee — and managed to burn through all but $15,000 of it. The pitch? Beat back the so-called “Beadles candidate,” Graeme Reid. Mission accomplished.
Taxpayer-Supported Stumping: At the time, Mayberry was on the public payroll with Truckee Meadows Fire Protection District. Did he campaign on vacation days, comp time, or taxpayer-funded hours? Picon asked Mayberry. We asked Fire Chief Charlie Moore. The response? Crickets.
Political Shape-Shifting: Once upon a time, Mayberry leaned nonpartisan, even making Democratic rounds after his stint on the Reno Airport Authority Board. Now, with Ward 4 voters skewing Republican, he’s polishing up a conservative shine. Chameleon politics at its finest.
Here’s the rub: Career politicians aren’t defined by whether they admit to being one. They’re defined by the pattern — the endless fundraising, the shifting allegiances, the taxpayer-backed time that conveniently never gets accounted for.
So when Mayberry insists he’s not a career candidate, voters in Ward 4 might want to ask:
If $107,000 for a school board seat isn’t career-level fundraising, what is?
If running in different lanes depending on the district/ward isn’t career survival, what is?
And if not answering questions about campaigning on the taxpayers’ dime isn’t career behavior, what is?
Picon was amused Push Consulting - AKA Brandi Anderson - is listed for an in-kind contribution. You know, the same Brandi Anderson who is now the City of Reno Councilmember for Ward 6, We ponder if Mayberry realized Push Consulting didn’t have a Reno Business License to do business at the time they contribute to his campaign.
Ward 4 has a reputation: Republicans there pick Republicans, and they pick them decisively. Mayberry’s past words about Reid are making the rounds, and voters have long memories.
If a strong Republican steps in, Mayberry’s carefully crafted “not a career politician” image could collapse faster than a campaign finance report under audit.
After all, the loudest ones insisting they’re not “career candidates” are usually the ones drawing up their next career move.
Mayberry doesn’t have that ‘magic bullet’ of using Robert Beadles to fundraise as he and his team did in 2022. We question who will be supporting Mayberry this early in the political season in a Sparks Ward he will have an uphill battle in.