Veteran public official running as nonpartisan shakes up Clark County Commission race

A strong nonpartisan candidate with backing from one of the state’s most prominent unions is putting a twist in the race to represent Clark County Commission District F.

The District F race features Democrat Minja Yan, a progressive political newcomer; Republican Heidi Kasama, a current state Assembly member; and independent candidate Becky Harris, a former Republican state legislator known for being the first woman to chair the Nevada Gaming Control Board.

While third-party and independent candidates are not uncommon in county commission races, most are not as politically experienced or pose as big of a potential threat as Harris. And most don’t secure  high-profile endorsements.

Harris has been endorsed by the Culinary union, known nationally for its grassroots organizing, usually for Democrats. She has also been endorsed by the Las Vegas Review-Journal, Hispanics in Politics, Ironworkers Local 433, and former state legislators from both political parties.

Regarding her decision to run as a nonpartisan, Harris told KTNV that she has “always been an independent thinker.”

She continued, “I’ve always executed my own judgment. I have always been a good voice for my community, and being a nonpartisan really is what I am and represents me the best.”

Harris was elected to the Nevada State Senate in 2014 and represented the district in two legislative sessions before resigning in January 2018 to serve as chair of the Nevada Gaming Control Board. Her time there was marked by the sexual misconduct allegations that led to the downfall of casino titan Steve Wynn, the legalization of marijuana, and the expansion of sports wagering.

Yan, the Democrat running in District F, works in commercial real estate and specializes in urban and infield redevelopment and community revitalization. According to her website, she has experience working on public transit issues through various public committees. She also serves on the board of The Mob Museum.

Last year, she gave a TEDx Talk in Las Vegas on redeveloping Chinatowns across the United States.

Yan is endorsed by SEIU Local 1107, Teamsters Nevada, Make The Road Action Nevada, and the Sierra Club Toiyabe Chapter. 

Yan emerged victorious in a crowded Democratic primary, besting six others, including Minddie Lloyd, a Republican-turned-Democrat backed by outgoing District F incumbent Commissioner Justin Jones, and Lenna Hovanessian, a community advocate who’d been endorsed by U.S. Rep. Dina Titus.

Kasama, the Republican running in District F, also faced a competitive primary but defeated private equity firm CEO Albert Mack in the primary.

Kasama has represented Nevada State Assembly District 2 since 2020. With the endorsement of Republican Gov. Joe Lombardo, she explored a run for Nevada’s 3rd Congressional District in 2024 but opted to run for re-election in the Assembly instead. During her time in the Legislature, she focused on ethics reform and sponsored a bill that put an end to a predatory title scheme.

She has the backing of  Lombardo, the Las Vegas Police Protective Association, the Board of REALTORS® PAC, and at least two chambers of commerce.

Because campaign finance reports are collected quarterly, fundraising and expense totals are currently available only through the end of June.

Kasama reported having nearly $444,000 on hand as of July 1. Her top contributors during the second quarter include South Point Hotel and Casino, Western Elite, and the Lombardo-affiliated Nevada Way PAC.

Harris reported having $139,000 on hand as of July 1. Her top contributors this year include Penta Building Group, M Resort-operator Penn Entertainment, and esports betting company Oddin.gg.

Yan, who promised not to accept donations from corporations or their PACs, reported having just under $4,000 on hand as of July 1. She’d received $87,000 in donations and in-kind contributions during the first half of the year but spent most of it. Her top contributors were Clark County Commissioner Tick Segerblom’s campaign and Maryland state legislator Chao Wu’s campaign.

If Kasama or Harris wins, they will change the political makeup of the Clark County Commission. The seven-member commission currently has just one Republican, April Becker, who was elected in 2024. The others are Democrats.

What about the other districts?

In addition to District F, two other Clark County Commission seats are up this election cycle. Both feature incumbents expected to easily retain their seats.

In District E, Democratic Commissioner Tick Segerblom faces Republican Manny Hess. Segerblom, a longtime politician representing a heavily blue area, won his last two commission races by 15.7 and 25.2 percentage points.

In District G, Democratic Commissioner Jim Gibson, also a longtime politician, won his last two elections by 9.2 and 13.8 percentage points. He faces Republican Jonathan Maxham this year.