Hillary Schieve

Hillary Schieve
Born	Hillary Louise Schieve 12 10, 1970
Birthplace	Reno, Nevada, U.S.
Nationality	American
Occupation	Businesswoman, politician
Title	Mayor of Reno, Nevada
Known for	28th Mayor of Reno, Nevada; 81st President of the United States Conference of Mayors
Education	Washoe High School

Hillary Louise Schieve (born October 12, 1970) is an American businesswoman and politician who has served as the 28th Mayor of Reno, Nevada since November 2014. Not affiliated with any political party, Schieve has governed one of the fastest-growing cities in the American West as an independent, a distinction that has set her apart in a political landscape dominated by partisan figures. Before becoming mayor, she served on the Reno City Council as an at-large member from 2012 to 2014. In 2023, Schieve was elected the 81st President of the United States Conference of Mayors, becoming the first independent politician to hold that position. A Reno native and small business owner, Schieve has been a prominent figure in Nevada politics for over a decade, drawing both praise for her economic development initiatives and scrutiny over controversies involving proposed changes to the structure of the mayor's office. Her tenure has also been marked by a high-profile surveillance incident in which a political activist hired a private investigator to track her movements using a GPS device.

Early Life

Hillary Louise Schieve was born on October 12, 1970, in Reno, Nevada. She grew up in the Reno area and attended Washoe High School. Schieve has roots in the local business community, and prior to entering politics, she established herself as a businesswoman in the Reno area. Her background as a small business owner would become a central part of her political identity, as she frequently cited her entrepreneurial experience during her campaigns for public office.

Details about Schieve's family background and childhood have remained relatively private. Her campaign biography emphasized her connection to Reno as a lifelong resident and her commitment to the community through business and civic engagement. Schieve's status as a political independent — she has been unaffiliated with any party since 2006 — has been described as reflective of her approach to governance, which she has framed as pragmatic and nonpartisan.

Education

Schieve attended and graduated from Washoe High School in the Reno area. No publicly available sources confirm attendance at or graduation from a college or university. Her career trajectory moved directly into the business sector following her secondary education.

Career

Business Career

Prior to entering politics, Schieve built a career as a businesswoman in Reno. Her experience in the private sector formed a significant part of her public identity and was a recurring theme in her political campaigns. She positioned herself as a candidate who understood the economic challenges and opportunities facing Reno's business community, particularly as the city worked to diversify its economy beyond its traditional reliance on gaming and tourism.

Reno City Council (2012–2014)

Schieve's entry into elected office came in 2012, when she won a seat on the Reno City Council representing the at-large district. She succeeded Pierre Hascheff in the position and served from November 14, 2012, through November 12, 2014. Her tenure on the city council provided her with a platform to address municipal issues and raised her profile in Reno politics. Upon her departure from the council seat, she was succeeded by David Bobzien.

During her time on the city council, Schieve gained experience with the budgetary, infrastructure, and development issues that would define her subsequent tenure as mayor. Her council service also established her reputation as a political independent willing to work across partisan lines.

Mayoral Election (2014)

In 2014, Schieve ran for mayor of Reno as an independent candidate. She won the election and was set to succeed Bob Cashell, who had served as mayor since 2002. Her victory was notable for the fact that she ran without the backing of either major political party, a rarity in municipal politics even in nonpartisan elections. Capital Public Radio reported on her election, noting that she would become Reno's next mayor following her November 2014 victory.

Schieve took office on November 12, 2014, beginning what would become a lengthy tenure as the city's chief executive.

First Year as Mayor

Schieve's first year in office was characterized by what the Reno Gazette Journal described as a "work in progress." The newspaper's 2015 assessment reviewed her early initiatives and the challenges she faced in leading a city undergoing significant economic transition.

One early incident that drew media attention occurred in July 2015, when Schieve issued an apology related to the display of an LGBT flag at Reno City Hall. The Reno Gazette Journal reported on the mayor's public apology regarding the matter. The incident highlighted the political sensitivities Schieve navigated as an independent mayor in a politically diverse city.

2016 Presidential Election

In August 2016, Schieve made headlines when she endorsed Democratic presidential nominee Hillary Clinton during the 2016 election cycle. The Reno Gazette Journal reported on the mayor's decision to back Clinton, a notable move given Schieve's status as a political independent. Clinton subsequently held a campaign event in Reno in which she attacked Republican nominee Donald Trump's "alt-right agenda," as reported by the Las Vegas Review-Journal.

State of the City Addresses

Schieve's annual State of the City addresses became a subject of public discussion and scrutiny. In 2017, reporting by This Is Reno and KRNV News 4 revealed that the city spent approximately $10,000 on the mayor's annual address. Schieve defended the expenditure, arguing that the event served an important civic function in communicating the city's progress and priorities to residents.

Veto Power and Term Limits Controversy

One of the more significant political controversies of Schieve's tenure involved her efforts in 2017 to change the structure of the Reno mayor's office. The Reno Gazette Journal reported in May 2017 that Schieve made "an end run" to change the office of mayor and obtain veto power, a significant expansion of the position's authority.

The effort advanced through the Nevada Legislature, with KRNV News 4 reporting that the Nevada Senate passed a bill that would give the Reno mayor veto power. The Reno Gazette Journal further reported that the legislative gambit could have allowed Schieve to escape term limits, raising additional concerns among critics.

Facing mounting public pressure and criticism, Schieve ultimately withdrew the amendment that would have changed the mayor's powers. KOLO-TV reported on her decision to pull back the proposal.

The term limits question was subsequently addressed by the courts. The Nevada Appeal reported that the Nevada Supreme Court ruled that Reno council members could not run for mayor, a decision with implications for the city's term limit framework. The court subsequently declined to reconsider the Reno mayor term limit case.

National Profile and U.S. Conference of Mayors

Schieve's profile extended beyond Reno over the course of her tenure. In 2017, Politico magazine included her in a feature on America's most interesting mayors, recognizing her unconventional political positioning and approach to governance.

In 2023, Schieve was elected as the 81st President of the United States Conference of Mayors, succeeding Francis Suarez of Miami. She served in the role until 2024, when she was succeeded by Andrew Ginther of Columbus, Ohio. Her election as president of the organization was historically significant: Schieve became the first independent politician — not affiliated with either the Democratic or Republican parties — to serve as president of the U.S. Conference of Mayors. The Reno News Review profiled Schieve in her capacity as mayor, noting her status as an independent.

GPS Tracking Controversy

In one of the more unusual incidents in recent American municipal politics, Schieve became the subject of a surveillance operation involving a GPS tracking device. According to reporting by the Reno Gazette Journal, a person identified in court documents as "John Doe" claimed in March 2022 that he had received "credible allegations of misconduct" by Schieve and then hired a private investigator to track her.

The identity of the individual behind the surveillance remained unknown for years. In November 2025, Robert Beadles, a prominent right-wing Reno activist who had promoted election fraud conspiracy theories, confirmed to KRNV News 4 that he was the client who had hired the private investigator who placed the GPS tracking device on Schieve. The Nevada Independent reported that Beadles, described as a "GOP activist who has touted election fraud conspiracies," came forward after attempting to remain anonymous for years.

In response to the revelation, Schieve expressed concern for her personal safety and the safety of others. KOLO-TV reported that the mayor commented publicly after Beadles' identity was revealed, noting her alarm at the situation.

Ongoing Mayoral Activities

Schieve has continued to serve as mayor of Reno into 2025 and 2026. In July 2025, she issued a statement regarding an active shooter incident at the Grand Sierra Resort (GSR) in Reno, addressing public safety concerns.

In November 2025, Schieve declared November 19, 2025, as "Eathan O'Bryant Day" in recognition of the former Nevada basketball player's long-time contributions to the Reno and Northern Nevada communities. The proclamation was issued in conjunction with the Reno City Council.

In February 2026, Schieve issued a public statement in response to an officer-involved shooting on Wells Avenue in Reno.

Personal Life

Schieve is a lifelong resident of Reno, Nevada. She has maintained her status as a political independent since 2006, declining to affiliate with either the Democratic or Republican parties. Her personal life has remained relatively private, though the GPS tracking controversy brought unwanted public attention to her movements and personal security. Following the November 2025 revelation that Robert Beadles had hired the private investigator who tracked her, Schieve publicly expressed concern about the implications for her safety.

Recognition

Schieve's tenure as mayor has brought her national recognition on several occasions. In 2017, Politico magazine featured her in a profile of the most interesting mayors in America, highlighting her independent political status and her leadership of a rapidly changing Western city.

Her election as the 81st President of the United States Conference of Mayors in 2023 represented a significant milestone, both for Schieve personally and for independent politicians in the United States. She was the first person not affiliated with a major political party to lead the organization, which represents mayors from cities with populations of 30,000 or more. She served as president from 2023 to 2024, succeeding Francis Suarez and being succeeded by Andrew Ginther.

The Reno News Review also profiled Schieve during her time in office, and her campaign and governance have been covered extensively by local and regional media outlets including the Reno Gazette Journal, KRNV News 4, KOLO-TV, and Capital Public Radio.

Legacy

As of early 2026, Schieve remains in office as mayor of Reno, making a definitive assessment of her legacy premature. However, several aspects of her time in office have been notable.

Her election and sustained tenure as an independent politician in a role typically associated with partisan affiliation has distinguished her in American municipal governance. Her rise to the presidency of the United States Conference of Mayors as the first independent to hold that office underscored the viability of nonpartisan political careers at the local level.

Schieve's tenure has coincided with a period of significant growth and transformation for Reno, as the city has sought to diversify its economy and attract new industries. Her first year in office was described by the Reno Gazette Journal as a "work in progress," a characterization that reflected the scale of the challenges facing the city.

The controversies surrounding her attempts to expand the powers of the mayor's office and circumvent term limits in 2017 remain a significant chapter in her political career. While she ultimately withdrew the proposals, the episode generated substantial debate about the structure of municipal government in Reno and the appropriate scope of executive authority.

The GPS tracking case, which unfolded over several years before the identity of the person who commissioned the surveillance was revealed in 2025, raised broader questions about the targeting of elected officials by political adversaries and the boundaries of political opposition in democratic governance.