Two community members used the Gerlach Community Advisory Board public-comment period to announce campaigns for Washoe County Commissioner District 5.

Brian Wadsworth identified himself as a member of the Pyramid Lake Paiute Tribe and said he was born and raised in northern Nevada and now lives in Nixon. “I will be running for Washoe County commissioner for District 5,” he told the board, citing concerns about rural emergency-services funding after the tribe terminated an EMS contract serving Gerlach.

Veronica Cortez, a Sun Valley Citizens Advisory Board member and local business owner, also said she will seek the District 5 seat. Cortez described her community work — school-nutrition advocacy, mentoring with Commissioner Jeanne Herman and local volunteer projects — and said her lived experience as a Latina and a long-time area resident motivates her candidacy.

Both speakers invited residents to speak with them after the meeting for follow-up; the board did not take formal action on the announcements (they were made during public comment).