Scandal-plagued Justin Jones calls it quits: Time to practice your surprised face, Nevada

Political musical chairs, as predicted

By Brittany Sheehan  

Nevada News and Views

The dominoes are falling exactly as NN&V predicted. Clark County Commissioner Justin Jones won’t be running for re-election in 2026. The District F Democrat announced he’s “handing off the baton” after what he calls discussions with his family about the rigors of campaigning.

Just days ago in our Joe Dalia treasurer race article, we wrote: “Assembly Speaker Steve Yeager announced he won’t seek re-election in 2026, leaving a big hole in Democratic leadership. Yeager was thought to be eyeing a run for state treasurer, but with Dalia’s entry into the race, it suggests Yeager will turn up elsewhere. Political insiders speculate that Yeager may be seriously considering a primary against disgraced Clark County Commissioner Justin Jones in District F.”

Well, Jones is stepping aside. But here’s my prediction about what’s really happening behind the scenes.

A Handshake Deal?

This looks like classic Nevada political coordination. Jones has serious legal troubles that make his law license practically worthless. Yeager needs a new political home after announcing he won’t seek Assembly re-election. My speculation? This was all worked out with a handshake and a wink. Jones gets his soft landing at some NGO where his legal troubles won’t matter, Yeager gets a clear path to the county commission seat he wants, and Democrats avoid a messy primary that could hurt whoever wins.

Of course, both sides will deny any coordination. They’ll stick to their talking points about family decisions and public service. And if there were any text messages about such coordination? Well, we all know how good Jones is at making those disappear.

But watch what happens next — if Jones lands at a nonprofit in the coming months and Yeager announces for county commission, you’ll know the musical chairs were choreographed from the start.

The Real Estate Scandal That Won’t Go Away

Let’s talk about why Jones really needs that soft landing. The commissioner got into hot water back in 2023 over deleted text messages. The issue involved a real estate development near Red Rock Canyon. Here’s what happened in plain English.

Jones was representing an environmental group trying to stop the development. But he allegedly offered then-County Commissioner Steve Sisolak a deal. Drop the lawsuit against the county, and Sisolak would help delay the vote on the project.

Think about that for a minute. A sitting commissioner possibly using his position to influence county business while representing outside interests. That’s exactly the kind of backroom dealing that makes taxpayers lose trust in their government.

The whole mess cost taxpayers big time. The county had to settle with the developers for $80 million last June. That’s $80 million that could have gone to roads, police, or keeping taxes lower.

Legal Troubles Keep Piling Up

The state bar tried to revoke Jones’ law license over this controversy. They backed down in March and gave him a “public reprimand” instead. But as recently as June, local news reported the state bar is trying again to disbar him.

More importantly for Jones, those troubles make his law license worth about as much as yesterday’s newspaper in the private legal market.

For conservatives who believe in limited government and personal responsibility, this situation highlights a key problem. When elected officials face serious ethical questions, it undermines public trust in all government institutions.

The Political Shuffle Creates Opportunities

County commission seats control billions in taxpayer dollars. They make decisions about property taxes, business regulations, and how much red tape small companies have to deal with. When these seats flip from big-spending Democrats to fiscal conservatives, it makes a real difference for working families.

For conservatives, Heidi Kasama’s move to the county commission could mean a stronger voice for limited government principles.

Kasama said in her campaign announcement: “As a former accountant, I see the reckless spending and lack of accountability that burdens taxpayers. We need a commissioner who scrutinizes every dollar, supports our small businesses, and prioritizes the core services that moderate and keep our communities safe and prosperous.”

Conservative activists might also push for stronger ethics rules and transparency requirements. Making it harder for officials to delete public records or engage in backroom deals protects taxpayers from costly settlements.

The Bigger Picture

District F covers parts of Summerlin, Spring Valley, and southwest Las Vegas — some of the county’s most affluent and politically active neighborhoods. These are voters who pay attention to county spending and development decisions. They’re also the kind of voters who remember when politicians delete public records to cover their tracks.

But this isn’t just about one county seat. It’s about how Democrats manage their political careers behind closed doors while lecturing the rest of us about transparency and accountability. They arrange their musical chairs, take care of each other with soft landings, and expect taxpayers to foot the (EIGHTY MILLION DOLLAR) bill for their mistakes.

I hope you’ll all join me in a slow clap of feigned surprise when Steve Yeager announces his inevitable run for Clark County Commission. We’ll nod along when he talks about ‘answering the call to serve’ and ‘bringing fresh leadership’ to local government. Let me know when Jones’ new cushy, do-gooder job is announced. And we’ll definitely not mention that this whole thing was as choreographed as a Vegas show.

*

Brittany Sheehan is a Las Vegas-based mother, policy advocate and grassroots leader. She is active in local politics, successful in campaign work and passionate about liberty.