The participation of the Nevada Governor Joe Lombardo’s campaign manager’s wife in the events leading to the January 6, 2021, U.S. Capitol attack has come to light.
Governor Lombardo has faced criticism for not condemning former President Donald Trump’s blanket pardons of those involved in the January 6 insurrection, many of whom attacked law enforcement and have since been implicated in subsequent criminal activities.
This association may pose challenges to Lombardo’s tough-on-crime stance, central to his reelection campaign.
Joe Weaver, a Republican strategist and owner of JW Political LLC, manages Lombardo’s campaign. Weaver has previously served as the political director for Lombardo’s Better Nevada PAC.
In July 2022, CNN reported that Weaver’s wife, Courtney Holland, was present at the “Stop the Steal” rally in Washington, D.C., on January 6, 2021, where participants protested the certification of Joe Biden as President.
The rally began at the Ellipse near the White House, where Trump alleged electoral fraud. The crowd then proceeded to the Capitol, where the rally was to continue.
Republican strategist Holland was scheduled to speak at the Capitol but was unable to due to the outbreak of violence. She had previously spoken at a similar rally in November 2020 in Washington, D.C.
According to CNN, Holland shared a photo online showing her marching towards the Capitol alongside members of the Oath Keepers, a far-right extremist group involved in organizing the attack. The post was subsequently deleted.
No evidence suggests Holland entered the Capitol, nor has she faced any charges. Holland told CNN her expectations were for a peaceful event and believed the men in the photo were “event security.”
Despite these claims, Holland expressed on social media shortly after the attack that she remained committed to “fighting for Trump.” A year later, she described January 6 on Instagram as “not an insurrection” and criticized Democrats for exploiting the event.
Lombardo’s campaign highlights his endorsement of law enforcement, yet his links to Holland and the lack of criticism for the pardons could indicate a degree of acceptance towards the violence directed at Capitol officers by insurrectionists.
Footage shows the mob severely assaulting Officer Michael Fanone, who was also stunned with a taser. Officer Brian Sicknick was sprayed with pepper spray and later succumbed to a stroke. Other officers were attacked with metal poles and brass knuckles.
Lombardo’s pro-police stance is already under scrutiny. State police vacancies rose after he vetoed a pay increase for Nevada troopers, resulting in reduced patrol hours in Reno and limited overnight coverage in Las Vegas.
Having served as Clark County sheriff from 2015 to 2023, Lombardo saw Las Vegas experience two of its deadliest years in 2016 and 2017, coinciding with a significant increase in officer-involved shootings.
Governor Lombardo is seeking reelection, running against Democratic state Attorney General Aaron Ford.
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