Tracey Hilton-Thomas

I am a homegrown girl raised in Fallon until my family relocated to Sparks in 1976, graduating from Edward C Reed High School. I have an associates degree in Business Management from Truckee Meadows Community College and a bachelors degree in Business Management with a minor in Information Systems from the University of Nevada, Reno.

My employment includes careers in the local mortgage and commercial real estate industries. I was employed with Washoe County's Technology Service department 1997-2015, during which time I served on the Washoe County Employee Association board and on their contract negotiations team. This also afforded me the opportunity to work our elections 2000-2020, serve as a field registrar at naturalization ceremonies (2018), and be a member of the Poll Worker Administration Committee (2019). I served as the foreperson of our grand jury 2016-2018.

I have been married 15 years to a retired Washoe County Sheriff deputy. Both children and their mates are in first-responder careers. My mother, aunt, and uncle retired from Washoe County's school district and my brother is a Navy veteran currently working for TSA.

We enjoy bowling, golfing, gardening, attending church, camping with the kids, and bingo.

• Like most people, politics is something I have resisted in getting involved. After all, who in their right mind wants to sign up to be persecuted and lied about? People tend to be quick to judge and slow to seek facts. I am very grateful to all who are seeking information on this site! The things I observed while working the 2020 election had nothing to do with the results but with the processes and procedures that are violating current Nevada laws. I merely took the time to write down my concerns and suggestions for improving them. Never would I have imagined that action would lead me down the path of running for office in order to fix the processes and procedures within Washoe County elections, as well as several other departments.
• While learning everything I could about the local political landscape and laying the groundwork over the last three years for this campaign, there have been so many issues that need attention that it is impossible to address them all. While they are all very worthy and important, I try to stay focused on 3-4 in order to be effective. In addition to elections, Spanish Springs residents see out of control development as a major concern. Roads, sewer, and water must come first; not as an afterthought. More consideration and input is desperately needed in the constant rezoning of property. There is a master plan for a reason and it was designed with purpose. Let us not be too quick for change that we neglect rational thought.
• Our local opioid crisis has fallen off the radar and has only escalated as is evident by the 69 of 135 homeless persons who died in 2023 of overdoses. Drugs are the primary source of chaos at the Cares Campus. Washoe County's legal responsibility to health & safety must provide the facilities to adequately house those who need/seek help. The ARPA funds going to the Cares Campus must be audited and provide supplemental assistance to ensure patients can complete their programs at behavioral health facilities without the threat of early termination due to insurance issues. Also, local campgrounds would solve a lot of “camper” issues! Rancho San Rafael park and TMFA property on N.Edison has the room and ability. Why not?

As I stated previously, aligning our elections with current laws and establishing direction within county code to ensure continuity through staff turnover is my first priority, along with establishing a citizens advisory board for elections to ensure residents have a voice in how our elections are conducted. The elections department must be returned to the Clerks office.

A regional dispatch system is already in the works. Reno Fire's flagrant disregard for mutual aid agreements must be remedied. TMFPD and Sparks have no problem.

Washoe County also needs to discontinue the Korn Ferry contract and move to a solution more suitable for the times and its employees. An examination of the whole organizational chart will be a good start.

I have several mentors which I have great admiration. Most are no longer on this earth. They taught me the value of patience, kindness, mercy, grace, endurance, perseverance, and a great sense of humor.

The best recommendation for political philosophy is “The Making of America – The Substance and Meaning of the Constitution” by the National Center for Constitutional Studies. It has a set of videos that go along with it. Very easy to understand and comprehend.

It provides amazing detail and insight to the Founders with many of their writings incorporated throughout. Breathtaking accounts of the chaos that was going on in our country so many years ago make our current day calamity look quite trivial.

I never really liked or paid attention to history in school. But, it now fascinates me. I am so grateful to not have had to live back in that time. The sacrifices that so many made to provide a new kind of civilization and a free nation. And at such young ages!

These were highly intelligent people. The incredible thought and attention to detail in how the seal was designed and the different branches were formed.

And the penalty for high treason was being hung by the head until unconscious, then cut down and revived, then disembowled and beheaded, then cut into quarters with each quarter boiled in oil, and then scattered abroad so the last resting place would remain forever unnamed, unhonored, and unknown. I'm guessing this was a tradition brought from another country.

The ancient principles, People's Law, aspects of the Anglo-Saxon culture, Articles of Confederation, the Federalist Papers, the Virginia Plan, etc. all contributed to the formation of the Constitution. A LOT of debate and amendments. I don't think anyone can fully comprehend how complicated it was to put together let alone put in place.

We have so many luxuries today that we take for granted, personally, socially, economically, and politically. Let us not lose sight of that.

Nevada has a Code of Fair Campaign Practices (NRS 294A.290) which every candidate signs as part of their filing papers. It states “There are basic principles of decency, honesty and fair play which every candidate for public office in the State of Nevada has a moral obligation to observe and uphold.” There are 4 items they pledge to abide by:

1. Limiting attacks on opponents to voting records and qualifications.
2. Not using character defamation or other false attacks on a candidate’s personal or family life.
3. Not using campaign material which misrepresents, distorts or otherwise falsifies the facts, nor using malicious or unfounded accusations which are intended to create or exploit doubts about the personal integrity of the opposition.
4. Not condone any dishonest or unethical practice which undermines the American system of free elections.

Any candidate that cannot adhere to this pledge cannot be expected to adhere to an oath of office. My hope is voters are paying attention to the two candidates in the District 4 race who have violated all 4 items of this pledge multiple times during their campaigns. They have failed to honor the above basic principles which reflect a lack of moral obligation to any office.

I signed this pledge and take it very seriously. My morals are based on biblical scripture and the Constitution of the United States of America. Many have died for us to just do nothing?

Our government bodies have lost their moral compass. It is a direct reflection of the people who run for office. We can't expect everyone to be perfect pastors. But, we can vote for candidates that aren't influenced by money, power, or recognition.

Be wary of those whose actions are bought with donations, who need endorsements to convince voters of their character, or who need to tear someone down in order to build themselves up. Always question the motive behind information before buying what they are trying to sell. Vote for our district!

Honesty, transparency, integrity, ability to find common ground, perseverance, moral character, and grace.

I am the champion for the rank and file, not the top brass. I want to listen to their ideas and concerns, not what management “says” they are. I spent too many years trying to deliver on unrealistic promises made by people who had no clue about the details.

The most important responsibility for elected officials is to listen to the voters and act on THEIR behalf. We elect them to represent us, not the corporations; to represent our country and communities, not other countries or other communities.

Part of the apathy in our country is because our elected no longer respect their voters. This must change. Our vote is the only power we have over them. We have to participate in EVERY election. The local offices are just as, if not more important than the state and federal offices. They are what directly affect our daily lives.

Elected officials must be held accountable for their actions in office. We must stop automatically voting for the incumbents. We can't expect different results if we keep voting for the same corruption. Politicians should not be getting rich off of the tax payers.

There should be no secrets in public offices or backroom deals. Every action must be transparent and all information readily available.

Elected officials are to be the liaison for their neighbors. They must protect their community's right to life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness. They are to get the answers and produce results for the people, not other politicians or lobbyists. They must remember their roots.

Elected officials must not be complacent or complicit in any exploitation of voters. They must ensure every law is being followed and respected.

They must be frugal and accurate with the money entrusted to them and ensure expenditures are for the benefit of the community as a whole, not special interests.

They must protect community resources and amenities first. The Master Plan was carefully put in place for a multitude of reasons. We should not be so quick to “rezone.” This is way out of control! Thorough consideration should be given to the current zones and why they were designated the way they were.

Elected officials have a duty to ensure their residents have representation on every board!

How to be a character full of mercy and grace.

The first milestone in my adult life was purchasing a condominium at age 23. I qualified for an FHA loan at 9.5%. Conventional loans at that time were 12%!

I sold it 11 years later and purchased a single family residence.

My first job was at Baskin Robbins during my Junior and Senior year of high school. I decorated cakes. I always enjoyed someone bringing in their party invite (birthday, baby shower, etc.) and I would try to decorate their cake to match the theme. Surprisingly, it takes a steady hand to write a greeting on a cake!

I was a part-time softball umpire and Peppermill cocktail waitress through college.

The Bible. It always has the perfect words I need to hear. It has some amazing history and wisdom.

The tooth fairy. She always has money to give away!

Forgiveness. It's easy to forgive those who ask for it. Not so much for those who don't admit they've made a mistake. While I am not a master at it, I have learned it is something we have to constantly work at. Because holding on to the disappointment wastes so much valuable time. Forgiving someone is not condoning their behavior. It merely frees us from letting it take up space in our thoughts.

Washoe County Republican Assembly

I believe I covered that above in core responsibilities.

Nothing should be secret or under the table. All public records should be readily available for scrutiny.

There is this fear that everything has to be perfect. That is impossible! We are human and prone to error.

It is more honorable to acknowledge mistakes and take actions to correct them in order to put records in right standing.

The disgrace is not in the error. It is in the concealing of the error.