Nevada Democrats’ Chairwoman Resigning

Tuesday, Nov. 26, 1996 | 11:59 a.m.

"I put in 25 to 40 hours a week for the party," said Jenkins, 56, a Clark County deputy assessor who has held the unpaid state party post since December 1995. "I want my life back."

Jenkins said she will recommend Paul Henry, 33,who serves as Las Vegas regional manager for Sen. Harry Reid, D-Nev., as her replacement. The Democratic Central Committee is set to vote Feb. 1 in Tonopah.

Since Jenkins succeeded Virginia Cain of Reno, Democrats regained control of the Assembly and the state party helped President Clinton win Nevada's four electoral votes.

But the party in October 1995 lost its statewide lead in voter registration for the first time since 1932, and despite some gains still was behind the state Republican Party by about 4,200 votes on 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 will also 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.