FROM OUR READERS: Checking in on the 2010 GOP primaries: battles looming - Opinion

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Jul. 05, 2009
Copyright © Las Vegas Review-Journal

FROM OUR READERS: Checking in on the 2010 GOP primaries: battles looming

By CHUCK MUTH
SPECIAL TO THE REVIEW-JOURNAL

The conventional wisdom is that Republican primary voters are more conservative than the general public and, therefore, Gov. Jim Gibbons is likely to win renomination for a second term due to his veto of all those tax hikes at the end of this year's Legislature.

But not only are Republican primary voters more conservative, they're also more politically savvy. And once they realize Gibbons doesn't have a prayer of winning the general election against the Democrat nominee, they'll drop him like a cell phone call in Mina. Which leaves GOP gubernatorial candidates Joe Heck and Mike Montandon.

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Heck is a one-term former state senator from Las Vegas with a moderate reputation who lost his re-election bid last year by just a few hundred votes in a competitive district while leaving more than $100,000 in his campaign bank account.

Montandon is a bona fide conservative with successful executive, as opposed to legislative, experience as a three-term mayor of a rejuvenated North Las Vegas which has a huge Democrat registration edge.

As things stand right now, advantage Montandon. Long way to go though, Joe.

Meanwhile in the state Senate, Sen. Warren Hardy, R-Las Vegas, has resigned his seat and is openly endorsing Assemblyman Joe Hardy, R-Boulder City, to fill his shoes. But Joe Hardy is a well-known big-government Republican In Name Only (RINO) who will not get a free pass in the GOP primary.

State Sen. Barbara Cegavske, R-Las Vegas, the last remaining movement conservative in the state Senate, is on the endangered list. Organized labor, emboldened by their success in taking our Republican state Sens. Bob Beers and Joe Heck last year, have painted a huge million-dollar bull's eye on her back. Don't be surprised if she opts to run for a statewide office instead of re-election.

The grapevine is abuzz with rumors that state Sen. Dennis Nolan, RINO-Las Vegas, is preparing to "pull a Specter," switch parties and run for his final term in the Senate as a real Democrat rather than a fake Republican should conservative Assemblyman Chad Christensen, R-Las Vegas, decide to challenge him in a primary. Run Chad, run!

In Washoeland, conservative Assemblyman Don Gustavson is expected to run for the seat of term-limited Sen. Maurice Washington. Conservative Assemblyman James Settelmeyer is an all but announced candidate for the seat of term-limited Sen. Mark Amodei. And conservative Assemblyman Ty Cobb is poised to run for the seat of term-limited Sen. Randolph Townsend. However, Senate Minority Leader Bill Raggio, R-Sometimes, is known to be actively recruiting moderate candidates to run against the trio.

What a philosophical battle royale next year's GOP primary is shaping up to be. Our founders would be proud. Happy Independence Day!

Chuck Muth is president of Citizen Outreach and a GOP activist.

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Please enter your name Name: Please enter your email Email: Please enter a comment COMMENTS : (word count limit is 300) You have reached the maximum number of words allowed Current Word Count: Note: Comments made by reporters and editors of the Las Vegas Review-Journal are presented with a yellow background. Report abuse Another informed voter??? wrote on July 05, 2009 12:21 PM: Well, obviously, no party has cornered the market on adulterers or liars. You might want to open the door and see the skeletons in your party's closet. The truth will set you free, (wink, wink, nod). Report abuse NoNo wrote on July 05, 2009 11:09 AM: I will not vote for those commit serial sins or their party, and yes I speak of your politcal group of serial liars and thieves. Report abuse Joan wrote on July 05, 2009 10:52 AM: And there is always the hope that D.A. David Roger will draw a competitor. Check out this video. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2oqBoqqCi1A Report abuse Another informed voter wrote on July 05, 2009 10:36 AM: Hey NoNo, is there a category called serial adulterer's and which party are you piously speaking about? Just looking for a little clarification, from the dreadful comment you posted at 9:52 AM. Report abuse NoNo wrote on July 05, 2009 09:52 AM: I will not for people who are serial adulterer's and thier party. Report abuse NoNo wrote on July 05, 2009 09:19 AM: When it comes to voting for someone if its got a "R" in front of it forget it. All can see is our rock star"republican senator" bleat moral supreamcy by the repugs and practicing serial adultry on a national scale. It aint so Joe when folks say its between man and wife. Also being non-white and being the constant butt of bad mouthing by folks who somehow see me as less than a full citzen or second class citzen I will not vote for any white people or those who do not suppourt Affirmitvae Acttion. Vote si'Repblican NoNo! " The wanna make me vote repuglican and I say NoNo NoNo" Amy whinehouse Report abuse Bat Guano wrote on July 05, 2009 08:51 AM: Does anyone think it really matters who gets elected where anymore. The average person is screwed regardless. Wake me when a politician actually represents the people again.