The Gang of Eighteen: Refunds, Fear, and the DA’s Race

Picon had to work like dogs to get this letter. We didn’t understand why the RGJ didn’t include this letter with their article - they only named a few of the signors - since the letter became public when it was leaked to the press. We have been working for weeks to get a copy, and finally succeeded.

On June 12, 2025, Reno Gazette Journal reporter Mark Robison dropped a little political grenade: a group of donors — now dubbed the “Gang of Eighteen” — were furious with Sparks City Attorney Wes Duncan after he announced his candidacy for Washoe County District Attorney. Their big grievance? They wanted their political contributions back.

Yes, you read that right — refunds.

The money had originally gone to Duncan’s Sparks City Attorney race, which, thanks to a lack of an opponent, was essentially a political formality. But the Gang of Eighteen didn’t care about campaign technicalities. They staged their outrage publicly, then (for added flair) leaked it to the press.

Now, we’ve been around the political block a few times, and seeing a donor revolt handled this publicly — and with this level of theatrical indignation — is unusual, to say the least. Almost as unusual as what it really suggests: Chris Hicks, the current DA, might be more worried about Duncan in a primary than he’d ever admit.

After all, this isn’t some ragtag group of unknowns. Many in the Gang of Eighteen — actually, most — also backed Commissioner Alexis Hill in 2024. They weren’t shy about it either; they built her a war chest to fight off the dreaded “boogeyman” Robert Beadles and his endorsed candidate. That war chest worked.

But here’s where it gets curious: Alexis Hill recently announced she’s running for Nevada Governor. And the Gang of Eighteen? Not a peep of outrage over that political pivot. No public demands for refunds. No letters to the press. Why?

Is it because if — by some cosmic fluke, say an alien abduction of her opponent — Hill were to win, her commission seat would be filled by appointment for two years instead of going to voters? Or is it simply because the Gang’s real goal is keeping Hicks in office for a third term — and they’d hoped for a slow, sleepy, without conflict race?

Now, with Duncan in the mix, that sleepy race is looking like a cage match. Duncan’s a savvy campaigner, a tireless worker, and has none of Hicks’ recent “auto-pilot” reputation. And that means the Gang’s chosen incumbent might actually have to break a sweat.

Refunds won’t save them from that.

Over half of the Gang of Eighteen gave political contributions to Alexis Hill for her commission race - why are they not equally upset that Hill is now running for governor and might be using their contributions for that race. She’s got about $110,000 left in her campaign account.