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Sam Morris
Former state Sen. Bill Raggio, shown here during the 2010 special legislative session, died Thursday at age 85 after falling ill while on a trip in Australia with his wife, Dale.
Friday, Feb. 24, 2012 | 5:46 a.m.
Bill Raggio, perhaps the most influential Nevada legislator in history, has died.
He was 85.
Raggio and his wife, Dale, were on a trip to Australia when he took ill. He passed away in a hospital in Sydney late Thursday evening.
Longtime family friend Greg Ferraro said, “Officially, Bill Raggio passed away last night at 10pm PST of respiratory illness in Sydney Australia. Funeral arrangements are pending.”
Raggio recently published a book with Mike Archer about his life called, “A Man of His Word.” He served in the state Senate from 1973 until he resigned shortly before the 2011 session. He previously was district attorney of Washoe County.
Gov. Brian Sandoval released this statement: "With the death of Senator Bill Raggio, one of the great lights in the world of Nevada politics has gone out. Senator Raggio's career exemplified the very best of public service. His dedication to law and order, higher education, and the fiscal health of this great state spanned literally decades of Nevada history and touched the lives of tens of thousands of Nevadans. Kathleen and I wish to extend our deepest sympathies to the Raggio family in their time of mourning. I have said before that if there was a Mount Rushmore of Nevada politics, Bill Raggio's image would forever be carved there. The Nevada family has lost a great patriarch; may God rest his soul as we remember all that he meant to our state.”
The Governor intends to order flags to half-staff on the day of Raggio’s funeral.
When in any room with him (large or small), you knew you were in the presence of a great man. A man who cared about and loved this state. Yes a "moderate" Republican, which now has become a dirty word in the party. He was a man who knew who to get a deal done and how to lead... not just "parrot" talking points. Senator Rest In Peace!
My condolences to the family. He was one of the rare individuals in Nevada politics who could and would rise above the fray.
The GOP sorely needs leaders like Bill Raggio but instead, his kind have been replaced by the likes of screaming drama queens such as Joe "You Lie!" Wilson and many other unhinged teabaggers.
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I'm sorry to hear this. May he rest in peace. My condolences.
It is a known fact that I totally detest the modern day Republican Party, combined with their Tea Party infections.
I have to admit that Mr. Raggio is the only Republican Party politician I respect in the entire State of Nevada. Not because he's a moderate. But because he made sense and refused to participate in the all the way over to the right neo-conservatism practiced now. He stuck by his principles.
As proof, he was the ONLY one to break and support Senator Reid in November 2010, correctly identifying the complete nut case Ms. Sharron Angle was (and still is). And that earned my respect for his abilities.
I just hope the Republican Party in Nevada takes steps to honor and emulate Mr. Raggio's legacy, and eventually return to the brand of conservatism they were proud of and known for before. Not this mess they live and breathe by now.
Rest in peace, Mr. Raggio. You will be missed.
A loss for the State of Nevada. We need more great leaders like Mr. Raggio.
Sherman Frederick's LVRJ followers hates people with character--it is as simple as that. Raggio's family can be proud of this outstanding man who served all Nevadans