Reno Mayoral Candidate Devon Reese Gets GSR Billionaire to Host Fundraiser, Following Council's Approval of Expansion TIF

The Washoe Dems are currently promoting this event with Alex Meruelo, owner of the GSR, with Mayor Hillary Schieve, Vice Mayor Miguel Martinez, State Senator Angie Taylor, School Board Trustee Beth Smith, frequent public critic of Our Town Reno Abbi Whitaker and her husband Ty from the Abbi Agency and Andrew Diss who has run for the board of regents and serves as senior vice president and chief strategy officer for Meruelo Gaming. 

Suggested donation levels range from entry at $100 to hero at $5,000. 

This comes just several months after the Reno City Council, with Reese, Schieve and Martinez, approved tax increment financing for the GSR’s massive expansion project which includes a new basketball arena. 

This came despite other local casinos writing a letter of opposition saying TIF financing should only be used for a “blighted area,” based on language included in NRS Chapter 279.

In his latest contributions report, Reese received $5,000 from the Meruelo operated Las Vegas Sahara casino and $5,000 from the GSR, both on December 30th 2025.  

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