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Clark County Commission — District E
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Clark County, Nevada

Emanuel "Manny" Kess

Candidate for Clark County Commission — District E

Republican
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Bio

About the candidate

Emanuel "Manny" Kess is a Las Vegas-based hospitality entrepreneur originally from New York. Educated at the U.S. Naval Academy, he moved to Las Vegas in 2011 after losing his family's Manhattan restaurant during the Great Recession, a period that included a Chapter 7 bankruptcy, state tax liens, and foreclosures on four residential properties. In 2012 he founded The Kess Group, a boutique event-planning and hospitality firm, and has held investments in nearly a dozen other businesses, including a firearms manufacturer and an interior design firm. In 2022, Kess ran unsuccessfully for the Republican nomination for Nevada State Treasurer, losing to Michele Fiore. He declared for Clark County Commission District E in December 2025 and won the June 2026 Republican primary against EeTee Hamilton and Randolph Rose, setting up a general-election race against Democratic incumbent Tick Segerblom. Kess frames his candidacy around his private-sector background and outsider status, arguing that county government should 'mind the local economy first, hold the public money in the stadium deals accountable, and build a backup engine beyond tourism.'
About

Key background

  • Founder and president of The Kess Group, a Las Vegas hospitality company launched in 2012.
  • U.S. Naval Academy graduate; moved from New York to Las Vegas in 2011 after his family's Manhattan restaurant closed during the Great Recession.
  • Financial history includes Chapter 7 bankruptcy, multiple state tax liens, and foreclosures on four residential properties.
  • 2022: unsuccessful Republican nominee for Nevada State Treasurer, losing the primary to Michele Fiore.
  • Declared for Clark County Commission District E in December 2025; won the June 2026 GOP primary against EeTee Hamilton and Randolph Rose.
  • Public social-media record includes Trump-aligned posts and criticism of the Biden administration; reposted content from far-right commentator Ian Miles Cheong.
On the issues

Where they stand

Economic and Fiscal Policy

Argues county government should 'mind the local economy first, hold the public money in stadium deals accountable, and build a backup engine beyond tourism.'

Economic and Fiscal Policy

Opposes a $15 minimum wage and supports keeping Nevada taxes and cost of living low to attract businesses; frames pandemic-era shutdowns and small-business relief as key policy failures.

Governance and Administration

Proposes a public dashboard showing how long county permits take and supports expanded transparency around large public expenditures.

Domestic and Social Issues

Pledges to expand digital access in education, protect University Medical Center's trauma and safety-net mission, expand housing supply, and improve roads, transit, and pedestrian safety.

Domestic and Social Issues

Social media record includes Trump-aligned posts, criticism of the Biden administration, and a repost of content from far-right commentator Ian Miles Cheong.

In the news

Recent articles

No news articles have been added yet.

Endorsements

Notable endorsers

No public endorsements have been recorded yet.