It seems I’ve been reminding people that “all politics are local.” In light of that this blog will be dedicated to the elections that are occurring in my state, NV, in August (primary) and November (general). I encourage all of you bloggers out there to do the same and let me know via comment that it’s posted. I think it will be interesting to see your take on what’s happening in my state and yours. I'll be especially interested in initiatives out there and will make them the topic of my next post.

I’ll start with some races today and fill in the blanks over the next couple of days.

The big dogs – Constitutional Officers.

Governor
Our Governor’s race will be fun to watch. The democratic Primary is looking to be a blood bath between State Senator Dina Titus (D- Las Vegas) and Henderson Mayor Jim Gibson. Gibson has the most $$ in the bank with 1.8 million (as of 1/1/06) and is the favorite among the insiders. Titus is proving to be one tough cookie though taking a bit of the Howard Dean – use the internet as much as possible routine. She has about a million banked. Oh, and she’s everywhere. Gibson has been working his Southern Nevada fan base, not getting out much.

On the republican side sits Congressman Jim Gibbons and State Mid-Term Senator Bob Beers. Gibbons is the public favorite to win, Beers is using the race to pitch a tax and spend initiative to The People. Gibbons isn’t liked very much within Republican circles though and it’s expected some other serious Republican will jump in.

Also rumored to be thinking about it is the Country’s Happiest Mayor, Oscar Goodman (D-Las Vegas). If he does decide to run both Gibson and Titus will be killed (not literally, well maybe – he is a mob lawyer)

My prediction: If it stands as it is now: Gibbons v Titus, Gibbons wins by 5 points

Lt. Governor
Not much going on here. The favorite and only committed candidate is the current State Treasurer Brian Krolicki. A really good guy, someone I refer to as “the smartest, most intelligent politician in state government.”

My prediction: a couple of dems will jump in and get their butts kicked.

Secretary of State
One of the more crowded races with a couple of Nevada’s famous figures kids running for the slot making it a fun one to watch.

Democrat Ross Miller, son of former Governor Bob Miller. I’ve only known Ross as a kid. I worked for his dad when he was the gov and sometimes picked him up from school.

Republican Danny Tarkanian, son of infamous UNLV and Fresno State basketball coach Jerry Tarkanian. I’ll be interested to see if Danny sucks on a towel on election night.

Republican Brian Scroggins. Former head of the Republican party in Southern NV, not very well known in the north.

Prediction: Miller will slide through the primary and win easily in the general.

Attorney General:
Up until two days ago this was looking like another General Election blood bath between the republican George Chanos and the Democrat Catherine Cortez Masto. Chanos is actually the current AG having been appointed to the seat by Republican Governor Kenny Guinn when it was vacated by Brian Sandoval – he became a federal judge. Chanos shocked everyone when he suddenly pulled out saying that he just didn’t have the stomach for politics. I’m glad he figured it out now, the AG needs to have pretty damn thick skin. There are a couple of good potential republicans but Cortez Masto was given a great gift.