FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: Thursday, April 30, 2026
MEDIA CONTACT: Mathilda Miller, [email protected], 808-897-1630
Power, Not Performative Politics: NVAN Refuses to Endorse Empty Promises
The only Native-led 501(c)(4) advocacy group in the Silver State unveils its 2026 endorsements after raising the bar for candidate accountability
NEVADA — Native Voters Alliance Nevada (NVAN) today announced its 2026 endorsement slate, further cementing its role in Nevada’s political landscape and redefining how candidates earn Indigenous support. As part of that shift, NVAN required all candidates seeking endorsement to complete a rigorous training on Tribal engagement and sovereignty, setting a new baseline for how candidates engage with Tribal Nations. The final slate includes candidates across state, local, and key education races in Clark and Washoe Counties who met NVAN’s criteria for leadership, accountability, and a demonstrated commitment to Indigenous communities.
Barbara Hartzell, Executive Director of Native Voters Alliance Nevada, issued the following statement:
“We are not in the business of handing out endorsements. We are in the business of building power.
“For too long, elected officials have been able to say the right words about our communities and still walk away without ever having to show up for us. They issue statements. They acknowledge us when it’s convenient. But when decisions are made, our communities are shut out of the rooms where those decisions happen. We are done accepting that. That is not representation. It is erasure.
“This year, we changed the expectation. Every candidate had to sit down, listen, and learn what meaningful, respectful Tribal engagement actually looks like. Not in theory. Not in a press release. In practice. That meant being uncomfortable. That meant challenging the status quo.
“The candidates we are endorsing understand that. They showed up. They listened. They did the work. They are choosing to carry that responsibility forward. This slate reflects that shift. It shows who is willing to engage differently and who is ready to move forward with us.
“We are moving forward with the people who are ready to do the work. We are no longer making space for those who are not.”
NVAN endorsements were limited to the State Assembly and Senate; Mayor and City Council (Boulder City, Henderson, Las Vegas, Mesquite, North Las Vegas, Reno, and Sparks); Clark and Washoe County Commissioners; Clark and Washoe County School Board of Trustees; and Board of Regents. Highlights include:
- Shea Backus, Cherokee Nation: Assembly District 37
- Calvin Sandoval, Omaha Tribe of Nebraska: Senate District 20
- JJ Phoenix, Pyramid Lake Paiute Tribe: Washoe County School District Trustee, District C
- Brian Wadsworth, Pyramid Lake Paiute Tribe: Washoe County Commission, District 5
For a complete list of endorsed candidates, please visit our 2026 endorsement report at tinyurl.com/2026NVANEndorsements.
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About Native Voters Alliance Nevada: A rising powerhouse in the Nevada political landscape, Native Voters Alliance Nevada (NVAN) is dedicated to forging a dynamic Native ecosystem and fostering political strength within Indigenous communities. We serve as a resonating platform for urban and Tribal Nation voices, guiding elections, molding legislation, and championing Tribal sovereignty. Join us in our empowering journey and learn more at https://nativevotesnv.org/.