“You Can’t Sit With Us.” The next episode of the Henderson High Drama.

It’s getting ugly at Henderson City Hall — and it’s not just policy differences driving the divide. What should be about governing has turned into an episode of Mean Girls, starring Councilwoman Monica Larson and her allies, with Councilwoman Carrie Cox cast as the target.

Carrie Cox, elected by Ward 3 voters for her strong conservative values and dedication to her community, has been a steady voice for residents who want lower taxes, safer neighborhoods, and transparent government. She earned her seat and her reputation for showing up for the people of Henderson.

Then came Monica Larson, the council’s newest member, who ran with support from some Republican circles, including an endorsement from the Clark County Republican Party. Many members now say they regret that decision. After her election, things began to shift fast, and not in a good way.

Recently, 8 News Now aired a story showing Larson leaving City Hall with a bodyguard, dodging questions about her professional background. Viewers were quick to notice the optics, flooding social media with frustration over her refusal to answer basic questions about her past.
(Source: 8 News Now, “Henderson Councilwoman Monica Larson uses bodyguard to escape questions about career,”)

Adding fuel to the fire, residents online accused Larson of photoshopping Councilwoman Cox out of official Henderson photos posted to official social media accounts. The outrage was instant, many called it petty and unprofessional.

Comments from local Facebook groups show a growing divide. One user wrote that “Monica is a mean girl,” while another said, “She wasn’t even a Republican when she ran — she just hung around us until she updated her registration mid-campaign.” these comments among many reflect a real frustration from voters who feel misled about who she truly represents.

The tension escalated when Mayor Michelle Romero reportedly claimed that Carrie Cox had started marital rumors about her, and Larson jumped in with what felt like a “you can’t sit with us” attitude. For many residents, it seemed like middle-school politics playing out at the taxpayers’ expense.

And as election season approaches, there’s another twist: Cox’s district has conveniently been redrawn, and her new opponent just happens to be Mayor Romero’s longtime friend Annette Dawson Owens. The timing raises eyebrows.

Meanwhile, Cox continues to show up for her community, even as the attacks and whispers mount. She’s been the adult in the room while others play popularity games and hide behind security details. Leaving a comment in the RJ “As the Ward 3 Representative, I have consistently shown that I represent the people and work diligently for the best interest of the residents in my Ward and our community,” Cox said in a text message. “At times, that means making decisions and voting independently of my other council members. As a result, it is no surprise my colleagues recruited and endorsed someone that aligns with their agendas and not the needs of the people. I welcome an opponent as I am very confident that my campaign will win overwhelmingly again, just as I did last cycle when the council members supported my opponent.”

If Henderson’s leadership doesn’t start focusing on residents instead of rivalries, voters will remember. Because at the end of the day, taxpayers don’t care about who wears pink on Wednesdays — they care about who’s fighting for them the other six days of the week.

Disclaimer:

This article represents the author’s personal opinions and interpretations based on publicly available information and community commentary. It is not intended as a statement of fact about any individual. Views expressed do not necessarily reflect those of Nevada View Point or its contributors.