State Political Profile: Nevada
Governor
Republican U.S. Rep. Jim Gibbons appears to be the favorite among Republican candidates to succeed two-term GOP Gov. Kenny Guinn, who cannot run for re-election.
Gibbons will face state Sen. Bob Beers of Las Vegas and Lt. Gov. Lorraine Hunt in the Aug. 15 primary, and University of Nevada-Reno political science professor Eric Herzik says the 2nd District congressman, first elected in 1996, has the best shot at the nomination.
The race for the Democratic nomination is a bit more complicated.
If state Senate Minority Leader Dina Titus of Las Vegas emerges as the Democratic nominee, Herzik predicts Gibbons would likely win in the general election since voters would favor his conservatism over "a classic liberal."
But if Henderson Mayor Jim Gibson wins the Democratic primary in August, Herzik says he thinks the general election in November could be close because, "in many ways, Jim Gibbons is more liberal than Jim Gibson, particularly on social issues."
Gibson isn't a sure bet in the Democratic primary. Titus recently challenged his Democratic credentials when the mayor suggested he would support legislation outlawing abortion if Roe v. Wade were overturned in court. Gibson later said he wouldn't seek such a bill and his opposition to abortion was a personal belief.
U.S. Senate
The Senate race might draw national interest if Republican incumbent John Ensign is challenged by Jack Carter, former President Jimmy Carter's son, or Las Vegas Mayor Oscar Goodman.
Goodman has discussed the possibility of running against Ensign with Senate Minority Leader Harry Reid, who said the Democratic mayor is "a real vote-getter" and would be "a very, very strong candidate."
Carter, a relative newcomer to the state, would face an uphill battle against Ensign.
U.S. House
The prospect of a bloody Republican primary has developed in the race for the 2nd District seat that Gibbons is giving up to run for governor. His wife, former Assemblywoman Dawn Gibbons, is running for the congressional seat against outgoing Secretary of State Dean Heller and conservative, anti-tax Assemblywoman Sharron Angle of Reno.
The Democrats have a viable candidate for the seat in veteran university system regent Jill Talbot Derby, but GOP voters outnumber Democrats in the House district that includes most of northern and rural Nevada.
No major opposition has developed for Democratic Rep. Shelley Berkley, the 1st District representative who is seeking a fifth term, or for Republican Rep. Jon Porter who is seeking a third term in the 3rd District.
Ballot Issues
Among possible ballot questions are a California Proposition 13-style tax rollback, a taxing-and-spending control plan, and others limiting tobacco smoking in public places, easing marijuana laws and boosting state lawmakers' pay.
Legislature
Democrats who control the Assembly could pick up more seats, adding to their current 26-16 advantage, while Republicans probably will remain in control of the state Senate, where they now have a 12-9 edge.
-- Associated Press
