Optics Matter in Reno Politics or They Should …
1. Dave Aiazzi’s post is spot on.
2. Our Town Reno’s post.
3. Jason Guinasso’s post supporting not his law firm business partner Councilmember Devon Reese but instead Tim Ross for Reno Mayor. Strange happenings …
Credit where it’s due: Jackie Bryant showed a measure of appropriate gravity during yesterday’s press conference in Reno regarding the suspension of Chief Nance. Bryant appeared visibly affected—almost a little verklempt—which conveyed that the situation was serious and unsettling for the city’s leadership.
By contrast, Hillary Schieve came across very differently. Rather than projecting the same sense of gravity, her presentation felt more like another stop on a promotional press tour—something closer to selling her Spooge sunscreen line than addressing a moment of institutional concern. Whether intentional or not, that contrast underscores a basic rule in public life: optics matter.
Speaking of optics, another question quietly circulating around Reno’s political circles involves Devon Reese and the mayor’s race. Reese has long been considered a likely candidate, yet he has still not formally filed. Is he simply waiting until the last possible moment, or is there trouble behind the scenes?
Some developments suggest the latter may be worth considering. Reese’s former law partner, Jason Guinasso, is reportedly backing a different candidate for mayor. Meanwhile, former Reno Police Chief Jason Soto—long viewed as politically aligned with Reese—has also expressed support for another contender.
Those shifting alliances naturally lead to speculation. Is Reese carefully timing his entry into the race, or have some of his past supporters begun reconsidering whether he is still the candidate they once believed him to be?
In politics, as in public relations, perception can be just as powerful as reality. And right now, Reno’s political landscape is raising more questions than answers.
This scheduled fundraiser is after filing ends … so maybe Reese if just playing coy.