At some point, no matter how they try to hide it, politicians reveal their characters.

It may come early in their careers, or not. It may come when you least expect it, or when you most expect it. But it will happen.

The Steve Wynn revelations are providing an illuminating spotlight for many Nevada elected officials and candidates, almost all of whom have long solicited his support and gushed about his accomplishments. Now that The Wall Street Journal has detailed a long list of sexual misconduct allegations surrounding Wynn, we decided to see how prominent pols would react, especially in the #MeToo era.

But we at The Indy were not simply curious about what they would do with the Wynn campaign contributions, but whether they would have the gumption to comment at all on the story and what they would commit to do to combat sexual harassment in the workplace.

We asked three specific questions:

---Are you concerned about the behavior detailed in the allegations against Steve Wynn?

---What more could or should be done to combat sexual harassment in the gaming industry and/or workplace harassment generally?

---You have taken campaign contributions in the past from either Steve Wynn, his wife, Wynn Resorts or its subsidiaries. Do you plan to donate those contributions or otherwise return the money? If you plan to donate the contributions, where will the money go to? If not, why not?

The results have been so revealing.

Gov. Brian Sandoval, as usual, was the adult in the room, saying he was “disturbed, saddened and deeply troubled” by the story. The governor also declined to give back or donate to charity the tens of thousands of dollars Wynn and his companies have given to him and his PAC, saying he is not running again, the money has been spent and he has never been influenced by campaign contributions.

Fine. Fair enough.

I have always found the knee jerkery around campaign contributions once a donor gets into trouble to be more a sop to the media than any tribute to sincerity. It’s essentially a meaningless statement.

But condemning the behavior, expressing some sort of outrage, even if the conclusion is a “let’s see what happens before I go any further” would seem to be mandatory, especially from people asking for your vote for high office. Or, you know, from people who are human.

And yet, just glance at our chart with all of those blanks. They are there many days after my reporters first asked the questions.

Two of the largest recipients of Wynn’s support, rhetorical and financial, have returned his contributions from this cycle. Yes, Sen. Dean Heller and Attorney General Adam Laxalt have relieved themselves of money that somehow now is tainted.

But how do they feel about the Journal story, what is their commitment to combat sexual harassment? Crickets.

Heller’s primary foe, Danny Tarkanian, also has not responded. But Laxalt’s primary opponent, Treasurer Dan Schwartz, said, “The allegations against Mr. Wynn are serious and real. And, I believe once the Wynn Board begins its investigation, more bad news for Mr. Wynn will come out.”

And Schwartz added, “That really involves a larger question: Why does the state genuflect to the gaming industry at the expense of Nevada’s future? We know the answer—political contributions. Carson City needs to solve that before it can begin to deal with ‘workplace harassment generally’ on the Strip.”

Sure, you can call him a loose cannon. Yes, his hyperbolic rhetoric is a bit much. And you can say it’s easy for him to spout off because he would never get Establishment money anyhow.

But there is a kernel of truth in what he says, and it’s better than saying….nothing.

This is one of the biggest scandals in the history of Nevada, involving an iconic figure whose influence on the state is vast. And they can’t say….anything?

The two Democrats running for governor were very strong in their reaction, including State Sisolak, who gave away $15,000 he recently received. "Steve Wynn’s alleged behavior is disgusting and unacceptable,” he said. “I stand with the brave women who came forward with their stories. There should be zero tolerance for harassment in the workplace."

And his Clark County Commission colleague, Chris Giunchigliani, also did not hold back: “The recent charges against Steve Wynn are part of a near-daily drumbeat of new cases of intimidation, bullying, sexual harassment and abuse from around the country as women increasingly feel comfortable bringing their experiences to light. To me, it underscores how important it is that every workplace in Nevada be free of sexual harassment."

Sure, they are Democrats who know Wynn really wants Laxalt to win. But basic human decency suggests if you are running for the state’s highest office that you say something, anything.

Silence here is not golden; it’s unconscionable.

This is a bipartisan affliction, too. The fear of Wynn is palpable in the non-answers from Democrats, too. Like their counterparts for constitutional offices, some Democrats running for high positions in state government couldn’t muster the courage to speak out.

The ever-outspoken Dina Titus dodged the questions about Wynn and her donations from him, only making a general; statement: “Unfortunately, Las Vegas has long been a difficult place for women. Cocktail waitresses, card dealers, housekeepers, and even gaming executives face abuse every day. We must fight to change the culture, not just here but everywhere, regardless of who the abuser is.”

That’s more than a lot of elected officials were willing to say. But not as much as her colleague and Heller foe Jacky Rosen, who said, “The allegations against Steve Wynn are deeply disturbing. I believe the women who endured this misconduct and bravely came forward to tell their ​stories. No matter how powerful you are, there should be zero tolerance for sexual harassment."

Deeply disturbing. Is that so hard to say, folks?

Apparently so.

 

Disclosure:  Several people mentioned here, including Steve Wynn, have donated to The Nevada Independent. You can view a full list of donors here.

Jon Ralston is the editor of The Nevada Independent. He has been covering Nevada politics for more than 30 years. Contact him at [email protected]. On Twitter: @ralstonreports