Demo Party chairwoman to leave Feb. 1

Monday, Nov. 25, 1996 | 11:59 a.m.

Saying she wants to lead a normal life again, Nevada Democratic Party Chairwomen Jan Jenkins will resign Feb. 1.

"I put in 25 to 40 hours a week for the party," said Jenkins, 56, a Clark County deputy assessor. "I want my life back."

Jenkins said she will recommend Paul Henry, who serves as Las Vegas regional manager for Sen. Harry Reid, D-Nev., as her replacement.

The Democratic Central Committee is set to vote on the matter Feb. 1 in Tonopah.

"I don't expect Paul to have any opposition," Jenkins said.

Jenkins said Henry, 33, will resign from Reid's office and return to private law practice. Henry was unavailable for comment.

"We've been concerned about the graying of the party," said Jenkins, who ran unsuccessfully for the state Assembly in 1976. "Paul is bright and young and should be able to bring young people back to the party."

Jenkins served in the unpaid position since Dec. 1, 1995, succeeding Virginia Cain of Reno. During that time, the Democratic Party regained control of the Assembly and helped President Clinton win Nevada's four electoral votes.

The party in October 1995 lost its statewide lead in voter registration for the first time since 1932. In April, Republicans held a 10,000-vote advantage, which was whittled down to 4,211 by Election Day.

The Democratic Party also was unsuccessful in winning either of Nevada's two congressional seats and could not capture control of the state Senate.

In addition to Jenkins' resignation, First Vice Chairman Charlie Cox of Reno also will step aside.

Party rules stipulate that the top two posts can't be held by people of the same gender, Jenkins said.

Cox's wife, Carol, who manages the Washoe County Democratic headquarters, will run to succeed her husband, Jenkins said.

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