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Apr. 26, 2008
Copyright © Las Vegas Review-Journal

Governor not calling mansion his home

By SEAN WHALEY and MOLLY BALL
REVIEW-JOURNAL
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Dawn Gibbons stands outside the governor's mansion in Carson City in December 2006. She and her husband, Gov. Jim Gibbons, are having marital difficulties.
Photo by The Associated Press

RENO -- Gov. Jim Gibbons is not living at the governor's mansion in the capital because of marital difficulties with his wife, first lady Dawn Gibbons, a friend and spokesman said Friday.

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    • "To my knowledge, the governor has resided at both their private residence in Reno and at the mansion since he took office," Jim Denton said in a written response to an inquiry about the governor's living arrangements.

    "Currently, he entertains and conducts needed state business at the mansion, but is temporarily staying in the Reno residence while going through this difficult and painful time," Denton said. "I know they are working toward a resolution and he asks that the family's personal privacy be respected. The governor continues to do the state's business as usual."

    Jim and Dawn Gibbons attended the Governor's Boots and Rhinestones Ball in Reno separately Friday night, walking past each other without speaking.

    Jim Gibbons, in the second year of a four-year term, said he would not talk about the marital situation. Asked if a divorce was in the works, he said, "We're working on it -- working on our relationship. It's something private."

    Dawn Gibbons, wearing a strapless black sheath dress, also declined to comment. "You'll have to ask Jim about that," she said.

    In an interview last October, the first lady spoke positively of the couple's relationship and told a reporter funny stories about when the couple had first met.

    She vehemently defended her husband during the 2006 governor's race when cocktail waitress Chrissy Mazzeo accused him of attempting to coerce her into sex in a parking structure near a Las Vegas restaurant.

    Reports surfaced in February that the governor, 63, and the first lady, 54, might file for divorce.

    The couple, who have been married more than two decades and have a grown son, own a home in southwest Reno. The governor has two children from a previous marriage.

    Reports that their marriage was troubled first surfaced in 1996 when Jim Gibbons won his first of five terms in the U.S. House of Representatives.

    Dawn Gibbons did not live with him in Washington while he served in Congress. She said she preferred remaining in Reno and raising their son in a better environment.

    She then entered politics herself and won three terms in the Assembly.

    Before that, she stepped in for her husband, then a little-known Reno assemblyman, when he was called into active duty in 1991 for service during Operation Desert Storm in the Persian Gulf.

    A long-time commercial airline pilot and member of the Nevada National Guard, Jim Gibbons flew on reconnaissance missions in the gulf.

    His wife replaced him in the Assembly during the war and then stepped down to allow him to return to his seat when he returned home.

    She also ran for the 2nd Congressional District seat that he gave up when he ran for governor. She lost the 2006 primary.

    Marriages of all but one Nevada governor over the past 40 years have been long and appeared strong.

    The exception was Gov. Robert List, who held a news conference in 1981 to report that he and his wife, Kathy, had separated.

    They later reconciled but divorced several years later after List left the governor's office.



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    redbutterfly wrote on April 28, 2008 01:40 PM: I don't believe he has ever lived in the Governor's Mansion. I live in that area and every night every light in the place is lit, but guess what, no one's at home except the security guard who sleeps in the car outside.


    registered voter wrote on April 26, 2008 11:18 PM: Last I knew she was not the Govenor. Shouldn't the Govenor be living in the mansion? She should be living in their private residence and let him live and do his job from the mansion.


    roger huang wrote on April 26, 2008 09:48 PM: The First Lady is home , is not the Mansion where the Governer of the State should be also ? The real question is why a grown married man is not home in bed with his wife ? What kind of example are we setting for young families? Everyone has marital problems , get over it and go home Governer !


    Kenny wrote on April 26, 2008 12:36 PM: Until the citizens of Nevada stand up and start recalling people like Gibbons nothing will change.

    The politicians must have had some fear for Miller to redefine the rules of recall. Remember him next election cycle.


    ppuchert wrote on April 26, 2008 11:49 AM: Dawn Gibbons has been Jim's wife for over 22 years. She has worked and supported her husband. Jim should respect and remember all Dawn's work for him. Dawn is the first lady and is living where she should be. Perhaps the governor should remember that the mansion is now his home.


    mark f. wrote on April 26, 2008 11:47 AM: Since when do taxpayers pay for a private citizen to live in the NEVADA Mansion. Close the door and save some money Governor. A Mansion staff should not be need if this story is true. ( salary and benefits sure do add up) This Governor is such a hypocrite. I know my power, gas, and other incidentals cost a lot more these days and I don't have a staff and 24 hour security. What is the cost to the taxpayers for the Governors gas for both he and Dawn to commute?
    Dawn get your money before this guy falls like a ton of bricks.
    I hope Krolicki can do a better job when this clown goes to the big house.


    Dave L wrote on April 26, 2008 11:27 AM: ""NRS 223.040 Office and residence. The Governor shall keep his office and reside at the seat of government.

    [Part 10:108:1866; B § 2608; BH § 1645; C § 1791; RL § 2774; NCL § 4774]""

    Reno is not the seat of government, carson City is. I believe the governor is not in complaince with his oath of office to uphold and maintain the laws of Nevada.


    Cynthia8 wrote on April 26, 2008 11:25 AM: Governor Gibbons wake up and realize you are a married man. Start acting like one.


    Recall Gibbons wrote on April 26, 2008 11:03 AM: This puppet needs to be removed. NOW


    Hey Dawn! wrote on April 26, 2008 10:42 AM: GET OUT OF MY HOUSE! YOU WEREN'T SELECTED TO LIVE IN IT. MOVE ON!

    A NEVADA TAXPAYER


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