Although they may not have the same national appeal (competitiveness) as some of the other high-profile midterm races, I think it is safe to say there are two vitally important elections coming up in Nevada in 2010. The first is for Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid. As elections are the built in system of accountability for our representatives, it is time to start formulating a strategy of communication and liberal policy formation with Sen. Reid. The second is the crowded primary for NV's next Governor. As it stands now the incumbent Republican Governor Jim Gibbons could be beaten in a primary, but it is really up to the Democrats on who will take this state which went 56-41 Obama.
NV-Sen: Reid v. Lt. Governor Krolicki
A recent article in the Las Vegas Sun states that Lt. Governor Brian Krolicki is considering a run against Harry Reid. With Rep. Jon Porter and State Sen. Bob Beers both defeated is their 2008 re-election bids Krolicki seems like the only viable threat to challenge Reid this cycle. With Republicans on the decline throughout all of Nevada this should be an easy win for Reid. This does, however, presents us with problems. How can we pull Reid more to the left, without having him be dependent on us for his re-election? How do we hold him responsible for Lieberman and weaknesses of his 2006 Senate?
NV-Gov: Primary looks like it could be crowded.
With Gov. Jim Gibbons recent 22% approval rating, it is rumored that up to five different marquee Democrats are interested in this race. County Commissioner Rory Reid is a front runner already for the race, he's Harry Reid's son, popular in Clark county, and LDS. It is unclear how well he would do in northern Nevada.
Speaker Barbara Buckley is another top contender for this race. She has been campaigning throughout the state on her Nevada 2020 platform. I must say that I favor her early because she seems a competent speaker and assembly woman. Quotes from her colleagues when awarded Nevada's top legislator included:
"Consensus builder, works well on a bipartisan manner, good listener, mentors well."
And, "She has a sharp legal mind and a genuine interest in the law. And she's still doing it for the right reasons. She is a great leader, able to appropriately delegate the right assignment to the right person, trust her instincts, and inspire her followers. The Assembly caucus never wavered a millimeter this session. Her consensus-building and inclusive style paid off in loyalty and productivity."
-Ralston Flash 6/12/2007
She seems the most liberal candidate with her Nevada 2020 plan (perhaps a few of the proposals could come quicker!) but in the face of the terrible state of Clark County's zoning and planning, and its inability to do little about transportation, I would have to say I doubt Reid's abilities.
Other possibilities for this race include Las Vegas Mayor Oscar Goodman, AttyGen Cortez-Masto and Secretary of State Ross Miller, who is the son of Former two term governor Bob Miller.
Ultimately both races will be decided in Reno's Washoe County. In 2006 Gibbons won Washoe by 15,000 votes. The rest of the statewide elections also went in the same pattern - whomever won Washoe won the race. In 2008 Obama won Washoe 58-39. It will be unlikely that even Reid will pull off this margin, especially with Krolicki's northern heritage. What matters though is who can organize, GOTV, and spend more money on Reno TV stations.
In times of crumbling infrastructure and the need for dramatic change, we need Sen. Reid to be more progressive than ever before. The recent economic slump has hit Nevada in a uniquely terrible way and our next Governor is going to need to make drastic changes to the way politics is carried out in Nevada. I hope many of you will continue to focus on Nevada as we get closer to the 2010 midterm elections.