Devon Reese, who we reported had previously written Reno Mayor on the position description for his latest contributions report, has released a new video and statement announcing his candidacy for the mayoral position in the 2026 cycle, pitting him against another pro-developer council member Kathleen Taylor, with to the right a candidate he’s beaten before in an at-large citywide race, businessman Eddie Lorton, and to the left former state Lieutenant Governor Kate Marshall, all already declared.
“Our river is precious. We need to protect it, make sure we can enjoy it, and that it continues to grow into an attraction and driver of housing, jobs and small businesses. There is no reason to have a Waste Management station on the river, and many reasons not to - this is an example of a local problem I can solve that serves a bigger vision for a better future for Reno, and why I’m running for mayor,” Reese wrote as part of his press release.
Reese is known for talking down different media outlets including ours, as well as occasional acrimonious back and forths with other council members at city hall or with community members on social media.
He’s been on city council since February 2019 since being appointed as an at-large replacement initially and indicates at the bottom of his release, “if elected, Reese would be eligible to serve two full terms as mayor, having served one full term on the city council.” If elected twice, according to this scenario he maps out, that would mean he would be on council 15 years.
The Nevada Constitution, Article 15, Section 3(2) says:
“No person may be elected to any state office or local governing body who has served in that office, or at the expiration of his current term if he is so serving will have served, 12 years or more, unless the permissible number of terms or duration of service is otherwise specified in this Constitution.”
“It is undisputed that, under this provision, an individual may not serve in the same state office or position on a local governing body for more than 12 years,” a judicial decision issued in 2014 in Lorton v. Jones spelled out, a case that prevented then-Reno councilwoman Jessica Sferrazza, termed out after 12 years on the council, from running for mayor, clearing the way for Mayor Hillary Schieve, who is now termed out herself.
Current office holders have used partial terms they’ve gotten as a way to go beyond the 12-year limit.
To have that scenario, Reese would have to win the top seat in 2026, which remains to be seen.
Our Town Reno reporting, September 18, 2025