2004 ELECTION: Gibbons rejects Senate bid

Las Vegas Review-Journal ^

[zebrahead]

WASHINGTON -- Ending months of speculation, Rep. Jim Gibbons on Sunday said he would not challenge Sen. Harry Reid in next year's U.S. Senate race in Nevada.

Gibbons' decision removes the biggest obstacle in Reid's path to a fourth term and leaves Republicans scrambling to find a candidate who can mount an effective campaign for the Senate in 2004.

In an interview by phone from his home in Reno, Gibbons cited his desire to continue his work on House committees against terrorism as the big reason he chose not to seek the Republican nomination.

"I would love to be a U.S. senator, but the responsibilities I have now in the House take precedence over political ambition," Gibbons said.

Gibbons, 58, said his decision had nothing to do with the potentially brutal campaign he would face against Reid, who is the second highest-ranking Democrat in the Senate.

The turning point, Gibbons said, came this month when he toured Azerbaijan, which borders Iran and Russia, and the former Soviet republic of Georgia.

"There is a corridor (in that region) used by terrorists, including al-Qaida, and what I learned was very concerning to me," Gibbons said. He declined to elaborate, citing security concerns.

Shortly after returning from the 15-day trip on Aug. 16, Gibbons said he decided to seek re-election to the House in 2004 and stay out of the Senate race.

"Before the trip, I was still 50-50" on whether to challenge Reid, he said.

He would not say whether he planned to run for governor in 2006. He acknowledged a controversial decision last month by the Nevada Supreme Court factored into his decision to pass on a Senate bid.

The 6-1 ruling allowed Nevada lawmakers to raise taxes by a simple majority for public education costs. Gibbons led successful efforts in 1994 and 1996 to pass a constitutional amendment requiring a two-thirds majority for any tax increase.

"No doubt about it, that decision put back into focus the tax restraint initiative I was proud to have started," he said. "It ended up raising my name recognition around the state, and I look forward to the future.

"I don't know if I will run for governor in 2006. That's a long way off."

The support for Reid by leading Republicans in Nevada including former Rep. Barbara Vucanovich, R-Nev., did not influence his decision to stay out of the Senate race, Gibbons said.

Despite having made the decision not to run, Gibbons scheduled news conferences for today in Las Vegas and Reno.

"They're two different media markets, and I want to give everybody the same opportunity to question me about this decision," Gibbons said. "You know there is a lot of speculation in the media about this race and my prospects for 2006, and this is my way of answering all those questions."

As late as Thursday, Gibbons was telling reporters he was convinced he could defeat Reid in next year's Senate election.

"I still believe, had I chosen to run for the Senate, it would have been a very competitive race, and I honestly believe I could have won," Gibbons said.

Gibbons said he is unworried that his decision not to run will disappoint Republicans who made no secret that the four-term congressman was their first choice to unseat Reid.

"I encouraged everyone who talked to me to jump right in if they wanted to run. I never discouraged anybody," he said.

He declined to name potential Republican candidates, but Gibbons said he is confident the GOP nominee will have a good chance against Reid.

"Nevadans want a senator who will not be an obstructionist and who shares their values," he said. "I think a Republican will be elected to the Senate (in 2004). It's just not going to be me."

Gibbons said that he phoned Reid on Sunday afternoon and that the senator thanked him for telling him about his decision.

In recent weeks, Gibbons has been critical of Reid and suggested the senator was trying to buy a fourth term with a war chest of $3.1 million. The criticism fueled speculation that Gibbons was preparing to announce a Senate bid.

[zebrahead]

This is some pretty bad news. I don't think there is anyone else that could possibly take out Reid besides Gibbons. I hope he enjoys his work in the House as nothing gets done in the Senate.

[ken5050]

That cinches it...Reid is the next senate MINORITY leader....now there's a photogenic pair..Reid and Pelosi..

[Theodore R.]

I suspect that Gibbons had a particular name on his mind when he made this decision: John Thune!

[Coop]

Bummer

[comebacknewt]

Very, very bad news. Our chances of taking this vulnerable seat over just got a lot slimmer.

[JohnnyZ]

What a putz. Oh well. "Azerbaijan made me do it." More like your wife made you do it . . .

Moving on:

City councilwoman Lynette Boggs McDonald
State senator Maurice Washington
Attorney General Brian Sandoval

I haven't seen a breakdown in the polls by gender yet, but I'm sure Arnold will capture a lot of the women's vote, just by looks alone. At a gathering of the Pahrump Valley Republican women during thee 2002 election here, I overheard several women remark about how they'd welcome back Attorney General candidate Brian Sandoval and Assemblyman Rod Sherer based on looks alone. http://www.pahrumpvalleytimes.com/2003/Aug-15-Fri-2003/opinion/markcol.html But he was just elected in 2002.

Sec State Dean Heller
Controller Kathy Augustine

And various state pols, I guess. I'm assuming neither Kenny Guinn nor Jon Porter would run.

[JohnnyZ]

I suspect that Gibbons had a particular name on his mind when he made this decision: John Thune!

Maybe, but Gibbons could have always taken the governorship in 2006 if he lost the senate bid. It was a no-lose proposition.

[JohnnyZ]

Now THIS guy sounds like he'd be ready to run!

Dean [Heller] was first elected Secretary of State in 1994, and re-elected in 1998 and again in 2002. He previously served Carson City as an assemblyman in the Nevada Legislature from 1990-1994. Prior to that, Dean worked as an institutional stockbroker and as a broker/trader on the Pacific Stock Exchange.

Dean was also a Founding Board Member of the Boys and Girls Club of Western Nevada and the Western Nevada Community College Foundation, and is an Advisory Board Member for Nevada's Foster Grandparent program.

If he doesn't want to move on to higher office then I'm a monkey's uncle, and my nephew is no monkey!

[zebrahead]

"I would love to be a U.S. senator, but the responsibilities I have now in the House take precedence over political ambition," Gibbons said.

That is the line that kills me. His PARTY was asking him to run for Senate when everyone knows his political ambition is to run for governor. John Thune my foot. JohnnyZ has it right. Even if he'd lost to Reid he would still be able to run for governor in 2006. It would be a win-win for everybody.

[GiveEmDubya]

Well there goes Nevada. Hope you're proud, Jimbo!

We can still get a GOOD candidate, Maurice Washington was the first one to come to mind, but Reid really needs to screw up for us to win the seat.

[JohnnyZ]

"I encouraged everyone who talked to me to jump right in if they wanted to run. I never discouraged anybody," he said.

He declined to name potential Republican candidates, but Gibbons said he is confident the GOP nominee will have a good chance against Reid.

I agree with this part, and it sounds like some other folks were ready to jump in pending Gibbons' decision, so we should hear something probably this week.

Zebra, I assume you're from Nevada? Any preferences on another candidate?

[azcap]

Don't you Nevadans have any multi-millionaire conservative businessmen you can nduge in to this race. I don't want to sound crass but it seems that any half way decent guy with a boatload of money should be able give Harry a challenge. Taking on an incumbent requires either a popular statewide figure (you have a shortage of those) or a bundle of money. I would think that somewhere there is a nice jillionaire who would take the nudge if Mr. Rove made a phone a call.

[churchillbuff]

I suspect that Gibbons had a particular name on his mind when he made this decision: John Thune!

Please explain. (Do you mean that Thune got beat last time? But isn't he in a strong position to win next time?)

[Kuksool]

If Gibbons isn't running for the Senate, then I guess we'll have to settle for one of the statewide officeholders. NV Secretary of State, Dean Keller, looks promising. Although, none of them are as good as Rep. Gibbons.

[zebrahead]

Actually I'm not from Nevada but I've been watching this race closely since Reid won his last term. I'm not holding my breath on anyone else beating Reid. He brings home the bacon for the state and enjoys alot of support from the RINO's in the state. Gibbons was probably the only chance to keep the RINO's in the fold.

[Pubbie]

$hit!

Is Dean Keller interested in running?

Why is it that we can't get anyone to run in Senate races this year?!

:(

[Theodore R.]

I mean that Thune gave up a safe House seat for the uncertainties of tacking a popular Democrat senator. He lost by less than 500 votes, wasn't it? He really wanted to run for SD governor but ran for the Senate at the president's request. The SD House seat went to William Janklow, who in the wake of a traffic tragedy that resulted in a death is expected to be forced out of the position soon or certainly defeated if he runs again in 2004.

[pogo101]

Exactly ... if you won't go now, Jim, then don't ever expect gut-check support later when YOU need US.

[Pubbie]

Here is a list of the Statewide Officers in Nevada, Who listed below would have the best chance of beating Reid (I know not Guinn)

The State of Nevada
Governor

Kenny Guinn (R) I

Lieutenant Governor

Lorraine Hunt (R) I - (Campaign Site)

Secretary of State

Dean Heller (R) I - (Campaign Site)

Attorney General

Brian Sandoval (R) - Ex-State Gaming Commission Chair

State Treasurer

Brian Krolicki (R) I

State Comptroller

Kathy Augustine (R) I