Villa and McGrath Will Face Off in District 2 Election
The Nevada System of Higher Education Board of Regents seat will be decided in the upcoming November 2026 election.
Updated on Sept. 22, 2026 in Higher Education
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Patrick Villa and Jennifer McGrath will compete for a Board of Regents seat in the Nevada System of Higher Education District 2 general election in November 2026. Neither candidate reached the 50% threshold required to win outright during the June primary election.
Why it matters
The outcome will determine representation for the District 2 seat on the board that governs state universities and colleges. Regents are responsible for major policy decisions, including recent approvals for tuition increases.
Jennifer McGrath was appointed as a regent in 2025 and voted to approve a 12% tuition increase for universities and upper-division community college courses. The winner of this election will serve a two-year term, with current law limiting regent terms to four years.
The players
Jennifer McGrath
She is a current Board of Regents member who was appointed to the seat in 2025.
Patrick Villa
He is a candidate for the District 2 seat and has been employed at the College of Southern Nevada for 22 years.
Nevada System of Higher Education
This is the state public university system governed by the Board of Regents.
The details
The race follows the 2025 appointment of Jennifer McGrath to the Board of Regents following the death of the previous regent. Patrick Villa, who has a 22-year tenure at the College of Southern Nevada, advanced alongside McGrath after the primary.
Timeline
2023: Legislation decreased regent term lengths to four years.
2025: Jennifer McGrath was appointed to the Board of Regents.
June 2026: The primary election was held for District 2.
November 2026: The general election will determine the seat winner.
Culture Shift
This election occurs against the backdrop of 2023 legislation that reduced regent term lengths from six years to four years. The winner of this specific race will serve a limited two-year term as the system adjusts to new governance requirements.
The board's decisions directly impact student costs through the implementation of a 12% tuition increase over the next three years. Voters in District 2 will choose the regent who holds a vote on these financial policies affecting university and community college students.
The takeaway
Voters will choose between an appointed incumbent and a long-time academic staffer to represent District 2 on the Board of Regents. The outcome will influence the long-term direction of higher education policy and tuition costs in Nevada.
Further reading
Learn more about the state's academic governance at the Higher Education section.
Source note: This article includes information reported by Elko Daily Free Press.
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