2026 is an election year, and for many in Nevada, political analysis starts and stops with one name: John Ralston. The CEO of The Nevada Independent is also an author, whose second book, The Game Changer, comes out on January 20. The book explores the life and career of the late Sen. Harry Reid.
He recently sat down with Nevada Public Radio's city-regional magazine, Desert Companion, to discuss his career in journalism and his decision to write a new biography of Nevada's most prominent and controversial Senator.
"He was a very complicated guy," Ralston said. "There's a duality to the guy... this guy who came across as very milquetoast and awkward. Somewhat gaff-prone in public, but who, in private, was the consummate deal maker. Incredibly ruthless and super insightful."
Ralston based the book on dozens of one-on-one conversations with Reid, as well as thousands of documents collected during the late senator's lifetime. He said it came as a surprise when Reid finally agreed to let him write the book in 2021.
"I had no idea he was going to finally agree to the book until he called me one day and summoned me to his office. He basically called me into his office and said, 'I want to do the book. I know I'm not going to like everything that you write in the book, but don't go after my family, and let's get it done.’”
Click here to learn more about the book or to read an excerpt.
Guest: Jon Ralston, CEO, The Nevada Independent
