In Winnemucca last weekend, the Nevada Republican Party elected Michael McDonald to his sixth term as party chair, a position he’s held since 2012. McDonald defeated former Washoe County Republican Party Vice-Chair Michael Jack 305-39.
“It’s fantastic, it’s a great honor, this is the sixth time. It’s great we’re able to continue the fight, the people we have are such warriors, they want to get in the middle of it, they want to turn Nevada red,” McDonald said. “That’s what’s important, it’s great to have a body with so much emphasis and belief in our leadership.”
Incumbent Vice-Chair Jim Hindle of Storey County was also reelected with 310 votes, with 39 votes going to Lincoln County Commissioner Varlin Higbee and 5 for gubernatorial candidate Eddie Hamilton of Clark County. The races for secretary and treasurer were uncontested, with Secretary Barb Hawn and Treasurer Michael Bertrand retaining their positions.
After the elections were completed, McDonald was greeted by a number of well-wishers and received a call from former President Donald J. Trump.
The elections were held despite controversial events throughout Clark and Washoe Counties in recent months. Incidents have included the resignations of the chairman, executive board, and members of the Washoe County Republican Party and in Clark County the split of the Republican Central Committee into two separate organizations that have spawned both public and legal disputes.
Despite the challenges and disagreements in Clark County, a contingent led by Jesse Law was seated with the members of one of the county groups.
A motion was passed regarding the removal from the state central committee for cause of a number of members including former Nevada State Assemblyman Stephen Siberkraus (Clark County), who was an acting chair for one of the unofficial Clark County Republican groups. The motion stemming from the Clark County organization split and arguments over which group is the official Clark County Republican Party.
Nevada State Senator Carrie Buck, of the Clark County Republican Party, supported Michael Jack and Varlin Higbee for new leadership. “I'm looking for a change in leadership. They say that the definition of insanity is doing the same thing over and over and over. And so, we need new leadership. We have a changing state, more blue, more independent people that are escaping both parties,” Buck said. “And so, we need to make sure that we are winning over those independents and non-partisans and the non-majors that are going to be overtaking both parties here soon.”
The remainder of the elections and meeting were uneventful, with expected appearances by Nevada Assemblywoman and Republican Minority Leader Dr. Robin Titus (District: 38 County: Churchill, and part of Lyon), Assemblyman John Ellison (Elko County), and State and Federal candidates including U.S. Senate candidates Capt. Sam Brown and former Attorney General Adam Laxalt.
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