Air Force vet challenges Clark County commissioner on limited government platformAir Force vet takes on longtime commissioner

Air Force vet takes on longtime commissioner

By Brittany Sheehan  

Nevada News and Views

Picture this: You’re sitting at your kitchen table, coffee in hand, wondering if anyone in local government actually gets what you’re going through. Rising costs, government overreach, small businesses struggling to survive. Sound familiar?

Well, Dr. Jonathan Maxham thinks he has some answers. This Air Force veteran and medical doctor just announced he’s running to unseat Clark County Commissioner Jim Gibson in 2026. And his message might resonate with folks who believe government should stay in its lane.

Why This Race Matters to Conservatives

Clark County isn’t just another local government. It’s home to Las Vegas and Henderson, with over two million residents. The decisions made by county commissioners affect everything from your property taxes to how your kids’ schools operate.

Maxham is running on what he calls “common sense solutions.” That includes government transparency, protecting tax dollars, and in his own words: “medical freedom and personal liberty.”

For conservatives who watched COVID-19 restrictions shut down small businesses while big corporations stayed open, this hits close to home.

Maxham told the Review-Journal: “Life in Clark County in 2020 didn’t seem completely free. Them telling us how to live, shut our businesses and jobs down, while certain businesses were able to stay afloat and stay operating.”

This speaks directly to conservative concerns about government picking winners and losers. When bureaucrats decide which businesses are “essential,” that’s not the free market at work.

The Incumbent’s Record

Jim Gibson has been in local politics for nearly three decades. He served as Henderson mayor from 1997 to 2009, then joined the county commission in 2018. He’s running for his third and final term before term limits kick in.

When asked about his challenger, Gibson told reporters: “I don’t know his name and don’t know anything about him.”

That kind of dismissive attitude from a longtime politician might not sit well with voters looking for change.

What Critics Are Saying

Not everyone is buying Maxham’s outsider message. Some point out that he lost his 2024 race for the Nevada Board of Regents by 20 percentage points. They argue that name recognition and experience matter in local races.

Others question whether a political newcomer can navigate the complex world of county government. Gibson’s supporters likely see his long track record as a strength, not a weakness.

Following the Money Trail

Here’s where conservative eyebrows should raise. Maxham criticized the county’s public funding for Formula One racing. While supporters say these big events bring tourism dollars, fiscal conservatives often ask: Should taxpayers subsidize private entertainment companies?

These aren’t small-dollar decisions. When government spends your tax money on flashy projects, that’s money not going back into your pocket or fixing real problems like roads and public safety.

Looking Ahead

Maxham faces an uphill battle. Gibson has name recognition, political connections, and the advantage of incumbency. But 2026 could be different from past election cycles.

Voters seem hungrier than ever for outsiders who promise to shake things up. If inflation stays high and government keeps growing, that anger could translate into votes for challengers like Maxham.

The candidate filing period opens in March. That gives Maxham time to build name recognition and raise money. It also gives voters time to decide if they want more of the same or something different.

What Conservatives Can Do

First, pay attention to local races. Your county commissioner probably has more direct impact on your daily life than most federal politicians.

Second, ask tough questions about spending. When candidates talk about “investing” in this or that, remember they’re spending your money.

Third, demand transparency. Government meetings should be open. Budgets should be clear. If politicians can’t explain where your tax dollars go, maybe they shouldn’t be managing them.

Finally, consider getting involved. Attend county commission meetings. They’re usually more boring than watching paint dry, but that’s where real decisions get made.

The race between Maxham and Gibson won’t make national headlines. But for Clark County residents who believe in limited government and personal freedom, it could matter more than the presidential race.

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Brittany Sheehan is a Las Vegas-based mother, policy advocate and grassroots leader. She is active in local politics