Treasurer plays waiting game

Wednesday, Dec. 31, 1997 | 4:29 a.m.

CARSON CITY -- State Treasurer Bob Seale is playing a cat-and-mouse game as to whether he will run for a third term.

Seale, a Republican, says he won't make an announcement until the end of January or in early February. But his top aide, Brian Krolicki, reported Wednesday he has raised $47,000 in campaign contributions to seek the office himself.

Seale, according to his associates, is expected to return to the private financial world next year. He didn't file any financial report by the deadline Wednesday because he says he hasn't raised any money.

Krolicki, the chief deputy state treasurer, said he "suspects" that Seale won't run. But he said Seale has not told him so. And if Seale decides to run, Krolicki says he will withdraw and refund the money he collected.

Seale denies he's acting as a "front man" for Krolicki by keeping others out of the race until he makes a decision. This gives Krolicki a head start in raising money.

Although he hasn't raised any money so far, Seale says he has "commitments" of $50,000 if he gets into the race. And he hints he's taking a look at running for lieutenant governor.

Seale was a CPA in Reno prior to being elected to the statewide office. If he returned to private industry, he could still hold the lieutenant governor's job which is a part-time post.

Krolicki, who is making his first run for public office, was able to collect part of his contributions from people who have contracts with the treasurer's office. Attorneys Paul Howarth and John Swendseid both have contracts with the office and each gave $250 to Krolicki.

The Las Vegas law firm of Jones, Jones, Close and Brown also has a contract. It donated $1,000. Jennifer Stern, an attorney who works with Swendseid, gave $250.

Krolicki and his wife Kelly, along with her father, loaned the campaign $5,000.

Kenny Guinn, the GOP frontrunner for governor who has amassed $2.4 million, contributed $1,000 to Krolicki.

The biggest single contribution came from the Orrick, Herrington & Sutcliffe state political action committee in San Francisco for $5,000. Nevada law says a political action committee must be registered with the Secretary of State's office before it can conduct any activity in Nevada. Orrick, Herrington & Sutcliffe were not registered as of Wednesday.

Other contributors included International Game Technology in Reno ($2,000), California Financial Services of Santa Rosa, Calif. ($1,301), and Harvey Whittemore, one of the top lobbyists in the Nevada Legislature for gaming ($1,000).