Kenny Guinn created a new precedent when he decided to run for governor – two years before the race actually started. Now candidates for the state’s highest office announce their intentions well ahead of time and have campaign offices in full swing more than a year away from the general election.
This type of early campaigning hasn’t been limited to the governor’s race, however. Candidates have been announced for nearly every constitutional office in Nevada, and some have already put together impressive organizations and are touring the state to line up votes.
Until a few weeks ago, the most active candidates were those for lieutenant governor. Democrat John Moran, Jr. had raised a warchest of more than $1 million and put together an impressive campaign team, but he unexpectedly dropped out of the race, citing a desire to spend more time with family. No word as yet on who might jump into the race on the Democratic side, but attorney John Hunt, who ran unsuccessfully four years ago for attorney general, has been mentioned as a possible candidate.
On the GOP side, State Treasurer Brian Krolicki has made rumblings he wants the job, and has hired November Inc., the campaign group headed by Mike Slanker and Ryan Irwin, who have guided many a Republican candidate to victory. Krolicki is no doubt going to have trouble raising money against Moran, but may find more willing donors now that his chief opponent has stepped aside.
Another name surfacing on the GOP side is former Lt. Gov. Lonnie Hammargren. He has the personal wealth to finance his own campaign, but has been reluctant in the past to spend any of his own money to get elected. His name recognition, however, will be formidable.
The race to replace Attorney General Brian Sandoval, who is expected to receive an appointment to the federal bench this fall, is also heating up. Katherine Cortez Masto will be the Democratic nominee. She comes from a prominent political family (her dad is former County Commissioner and LVCVA Director Manny Cortez), and has made numerous connections throughout her career.
The Republican candidates are less certain at this time. What might make a huge difference is the timing on Sandoval’s appointment. If he leaves the job in the next few months, Guinn will be obligated to appoint someone to fill the rest of his term. That person will certainly have a leg up as the incumbent, as well as a significant fundraising edge. Las Vegas attorney George Chanos and public defender and university regent Brett Whipple have been actively seeking Guinn’s appointment. It is unclear whether they will both run if they do not receive an appointment.
Supporters of Masto have encouraged Guinn to appoint a caretaker to the seat, someone who would agree not to run and just manage the office until the next attorney general is elected. Those close to the governor, however, have indicated he is not likely to do that and wants to give his fellow Republicans an edge in the race.
The other major statewide office getting a lot of attention is secretary of state. The current officeholder, Dean Heller, has announced his intentions to run for the northern congressional seat being vacated by Jim Gibbons. Most of the action has been on the Republican side, where former UNLV basketball star Danny Tarkanian is said to be interested, along with party loyalist Brian Scroggins.
Democratic State Senator Valerie Wiener has expressed an interest in running for the seat, and Northern Nevada businesswoman Kate Marshall has also been meeting with possible supporters and fundraisers. As of publication time, neither woman had announced or hired any campaign staff, and others are expected to look seriously at the race.