Ghosts, Ghouls, and the Graveyard of Reno’s Mayoral “Besties”

Picon’s writers are on a budget we couldn’t afford Spooge at $28.00 so tracked down some Unicorn Snot Sunscreen on Amazon for $19.99. We also can’t afford $2,000 for Councilmember Kathleen Taylor’s private ‘ten people only’ roundtable at her fundraiser.

It’s that time again when Reno politics starts to feel less like City Hall and more like a soap opera filmed in a haunted mansion. This week’s episode stars Mayor Hillary Schieve, her new venture Spooge (yes, that’s really the name), and a political friendship circle that’s starting to look like a Ouija board of broken alliances.

Here’s the spooky setup: Schieve’s longtime “bestie,” Max Haynes, is hosting a fundraiser for councilmember — and supposed Republican — Kathleen Taylor’s mayoral campaign. Which is odd, because Schieve’s other bestie, the ever-embattled Devon Reese, is also running for mayor. You remember Reese — the Ethics Commission’s most frequent flyer.

Now, we’re not saying Schieve is ghosting Reese, but this sure feels familiar. Ask Britton Griffith, who learned the hard way that a Hillary Schieve endorsement can vanish faster than a campaign promise. One minute you’re the “it” candidate, the next you’re just another forgotten friend floating through the graveyard of political hopefuls past.

And the Haynes event? Oh, it’s a classic California Avenue affair — the kind where valet parking and “private roundtables” say exclusive louder than any campaign slogan. Limited to ten guests to sit at the table at a cost of $2,000 each, of course — because nothing says grassroots democracy like velvet ropes and catered canapés.

So which way is Schieve leaning? Toward Taylor, the “new bestie,” or Reese, the ethics-challenged loyalist who could use a life raft about now? Hard to tell — maybe the answer lies with Spooge, the mayor’s latest passion project that’s been sucking up most of her attention (and, some say, her calendar - but that’s a public record we keep waiting for).

Whatever the case, the mayor’s friendships seem to come with expiration dates — usually just before an election. So as Reno’s political ghosts gather for another glittering soirée on California Avenue, we can’t help but wonder: is Devon Reese next to join the ranks of Schieve’s dearly departed endorsements?

Because in Reno politics, loyalty is like a Halloween costume — flashy, fun, and worn only for the night.

Councilmember Kathleen Taylor’s political fundraiser invite.