Local Races Take Shape After Filing Closes March 13

Candidate filing for the 2026 election cycle officially closed Friday, March 13, setting the stage for a number of local races across Churchill County and the City of Fallon.

The filing period for most county and local offices opened March 2 and ran through 5 p.m. on March 13, while judicial candidates filed earlier in January. 

By the close of filing, several races had drawn multiple candidates, including the Fallon City Council Ward 1 seat, while a number of county offices will move forward with a single candidate on the ballot unless a late challenge or write-in emerges.

Fallon City Council draws interest

In the City of Fallon, the Ward 1 council seat will be contested, with three candidates filing for the position: Ryan Swirczek, Lori Norcutt, and Daniel Doty. The seat is currently held by Councilwoman Kelly Frost, who is term-limited and not seeking re-election.

Ward 3 Councilman Paul Harmon filed for re-election and, as of the close of filing, does not appear to have drawn opposition.

Both council positions are nonpartisan and will appear on the June primary ballot.

At the county level, several key offices will be on the ballot in 2026.

Art Mallory filed and is unopposed as a Republican candidate for Churchill County District Attorney, a position that has drawn attention in rural Nevada as counties continue to face challenges recruiting and retaining attorneys for public service roles. 

Other county filings include:

• Denise Mondhink-Felton for Assessor
• Tasha Hessey for Recorder
• Linda Rothery for Clerk/Treasurer
• Robert “Bob” Getto for Public Administrator

Churchill County Sheriff Richard C. Hickox Jr. also filed for re-election as a nonpartisan candidate.

For County Commission District 2, incumbent Myles Getto filed as a Republican candidate.

Several candidates filed for the Churchill County School Board of Trustees, including Celestia Blakey, Keith W. Boone, Amber Casey-Getto, Joe McFadden, and W. Derild Parsons. 

Kevin Porteous and Gary L. Smith filed for positions on the Mosquito, Vector and Noxious Weed Abatement Board.

Earlier this year, Judge Thomas Stockard filed for re-election to the Tenth Judicial District Court, which serves Churchill County. 

At the state level, Senator Robin Titus and Assemblyman Greg Koenig have also filed for re-election, with Titus drawing a Democratic challenger in Lynne Ballatore to represent District 17.

Nevada’s primary election is scheduled for June 9, with early voting beginning May 23. The general election will be held Nov. 3.

In races where more than two candidates file for a nonpartisan office, the primary will narrow the field. In partisan races, voters will select their party's nominees to advance to the general election.

With filing now closed, the focus shifts from paperwork to campaigning, as candidates begin making their case to voters across Churchill County and Fallon in the weeks ahead.