Delusional Fundraising Claims and Curious Cannabis Alliance

All that bravado about fundraising in January 2026 when the reports were due to the Nevada Secretary of State.

Washoe County Republicans’ latest fundraising victory laps gave us a good chuckle — we meant to write about it sooner, but the Bridget Robb story elbowed its way to the front of the line.

January 2026 Contribution and Expense Reports from Chris Hicks & Wes Duncan.

There was District Attorney Chris Hicks proudly announcing he outraised Wes Duncan, Jon Killoran proclaiming from every available rooftop that he’d topped Mike Clark, and, of course, the ever-reliable bravado of Eddie Lorton — which almost deserves its own campaign finance category. The irony, of course, is that while Killoran was celebrating his totals, a fair number of voters were still asking a simpler question: Who? A little name recognition can go a long way, even when the dollar figures look impressive on paper.

But numbers in politics, much like numbers in household budgets, only tell part of the story. Our parents taught us that what really matters isn’t how much you say you brought in — it’s your ending balance. How much do you actually have left at the end of the month? That was the true measure of financial health. When we came up short as kids and had to ask Dad for a loan, he’d jokingly call it “creative bookkeeping.” Funny at the kitchen table, perhaps less reassuring in campaign finance reports.

So yes, by all means, enjoy the fundraising headlines and the celebratory press releases. Just remember that in the end, it’s not the chest-thumping totals that count — it’s the bottom line. And sometimes, a little “creative bookkeeping” can make the numbers sound louder than they really are.

We think Wes Duncan isn’t losing any sleep over Hick’s claim of leading in fundraising. We find it a little questionable the District Attorney would allow the misdirection regarding his campaign because if he has no qualms misleading the public about his campaign fundraising does it spill over to his job. You know misleading the taxpayers.

Our favorite was the “Who Is This Guy?” candidate Jon Killoran who claims his campaign “surged ahead” in fundraising. You loaned your campaign money Jon to surge.

Ed Alexander is the owner of SOL Cannabis in Washoe Valley.

Perhaps the most interesting detail in the fundraising chatter isn’t how much Jon Killoran raised — it’s who helped him raise it. Campaign finance reports always tell a deeper story than press releases, and one name in particular stood out: Ed Alexander, owner of Sol Cannabis and a vocal advocate for opening a cannabis consumption lounge.

That contribution raises eyebrows not because donations are unusual, but because of the policy implications that often follow them. Alexander has been clear about his desire to see a lounge approved, and political support matters when projects like that come before local government. Commissioner Mike Clark has not been supportive of Alexander’s lounge efforts due to his constituents public comments, which makes the alignment worth noting for voters in Washoe Valley and Incline Village who tend to watch this issue closely.

It also highlights an emerging dynamic on the commission landscape. Commissioners Garcia and Hill have both expressed support for Alexander’s proposal, meaning Killoran’s donor list already places him in philosophical company with officials across the aisle. In local politics, alliances are not always labeled Republican or Democrat — they are often built around projects, priorities, and mutual interests. In this case Alexander’s - Killoran’s - Hill’s - and Garcia’s mutual interest is to GET RID of Clark. Alexis Hill has been asking people to run for Clark’s seat for months.

None of this is unusual in the mechanics of campaigning, but it is revealing. Fundraising totals make headlines; donor lists explain them. For voters trying to understand where candidates may lean once elected, following the money often provides more clarity than following the speeches. One contribution exposes a cannabis lounge and peculiar partnerships.