Sandoval raises $600,000 at event with Jeb Bush

Wednesday, Oct. 5, 2011 | 12:52 p.m.

That is a striking number for a guy not up until 2014 – and combined with an event a week from Friday in Reno, Gov. Brian Sandoval is likely to have seven figures on hand three years before he faces voters.

I am told by an insider (who also provided that dollar estimate) that the room at GOP HQ on The Strip – a k a The Venetian – was packed, including gaming doyens such as Steve Wynn and Gary Loveman as well as a panoply of other folks.

The hosts ran the gamut of powerful special interests and even included one prominent Democrat (yes, I know Jan Jones is of The Gaming Party now!).

Sandoval is sending a strong message with that haul and surely will use it as a way to dispense influence in Campaign ’12 and let any ambitious Democrats know he is willing to use the power of his position to maintain the power of his position.

Here’s the host list:

Lee Amaitis (Cantor Gaming)

George Balaban (Desert Cab)

Barrick Gold of North America

College Loan Corporation

Jeri and Rick Crawford (Green Valley Grocery, Crawford Oil)

Fertitta Entertainment

Frias Transportation Management

Gaming Arts, LLC

Jaclyn and Jacob Hafter

IGT

Tom Jenkin (Caesars)

Jan Jones

Keystone Corporation

Las Vegas Chamber of Commerce

The Las Vegas Sands Corporation

Gary Loveman

McDonald Carano Wilson LLP

MGM Resorts International

Susan and Monte Miller

Dr. Jim Nave

Newmont Mining Corporation

NV Energy

Mr. Phil Ruffin

Sunrise Hospital & Medical Center

Lynn and Bill Weidner

Brian Wittman (investment counselor)

Wynn Las Vegas