Anti-tax activists drew crowds in Carson City rallies in 2009. More than 150 turned out at the Capitol complex in August and some 250 more at Fuji Park in October with tea bags stapled to their hats to decry federal spending excesses.
The rallies were organized nationwide to protest the $787 million federal stimulus package, bank bailouts and health care reform. They drew several prominent Republican office holders and candidates including Rep. Dean Heller.
Organizers railed against Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid and urged the crowd to vote out any politicians who don't adhere to conservative principles. The national Web site announcing the tour described it as "a countdown to judgment day" for office holders seeking re-election this year.
- Geoff Dornan