The Curious Case of Chris Hicks and His Fall From Grace

Contribution and Expense Reports were due to the Secretary of State yesterday, and what fun to sift through. Looks like District Attorney Chris Hicks will have to be playing catch-up.

When Chris Hicks was first elected Washoe County District Attorney, the sky truly seemed to be the limit. Those in the know believed he would go far. He was viewed as a rising star with promise, ambition, and opportunity.

But time took its toll.

Somewhere along the way, Hicks strayed from a basic principle of public service: the District Attorney is there to serve the taxpayers of Washoe County — not himself, not his friends, and not a circle of powerful supporters.

That became clear to anyone attempting to obtain public records. Request after request was rebuked, delayed, or ignored outright by the District Attorney’s Office. When complainants went directly to Hicks, hoping for leadership or accountability, they were met with indifference. He didn’t have the time — and worse, he didn’t seem to care.

Public records were denied or delayed for months at a time, sometimes as long as six months, despite Nevada law being clear on timely disclosure. This wasn’t an oversight. It was a choice. And it reflected a failure of leadership at the top.

Contrast that with what was happening in the City of Sparks.

Newly appointed City Attorney Wes Duncan became a clear champion of public records compliance. Requests were routinely fulfilled in about five days — exactly what NRS requires. Duncan listened to the growing frustration from both the press and the public about working with the District Attorney’s Office and Hicks’ lack of leadership on transparency.

Is that part of the reason Duncan has decided to run?
Is it about public records?
Is it about charging decisions coming out of the District Attorney’s Office?
Is it simply about accountability?

Who knows.

What we do know is this: no amount of money will save Chris Hicks this time. Not money from Western Nevada Supply, Savage and Son, Maupin, Cox & LeGoy, McDonald Carano, Greenstreet Development (who is being investigated by This Is Reno), Peppermill Casinos, Inc., Nevada Tri Partners, LLC, Reno Vulcanizing, etc.- voters won’t care they support him. Not money from Don Carano’s heirs at the El Dorado Casino either. Not even their mushroom ravioli will be enough.

Take a look at Hicks’ campaign contribution and expense reports and ask yourself a simple question:
Why is it so important to so many “important people” in Washoe County that Chris Hicks remain District Attorney? Why have they rallied behind Hicks and turned their backs on Duncan?

Is it because Hicks doesn’t serve the public — because he serves them?

This is the race to watch in the 2026 primary.