Another chief lost by lt. gov.

Friday, July 25, 1997 | 8:53 a.m.

CARSON CITY -- Citing differences of opinion, former Las Vegas Assemblywoman Jeannine Coward said she is quitting as chief of staff for Lt. Gov. Lonnie Hammargren.

"I decided it's not the job I wanted to spend the next year and a half in," Coward said, adding her departure is a "week to week thing" as she looks for a replacement and other staff for the lieutenant governor.

But Hammargren said Coward hasn't told him she's leaving and added, "I haven't started to look for a chief of staff." He said Coward was hired initially in January for six months, while the Legislature was in session, and is now completing some projects.

Coward is the third chief of staff for Hammargren in his 2 1/2 years in office. He said his first chief of staff, Bob McCaffrey, "resigned over a letter he wrote. I didn't demand his resignation." He said McCaffrey is "still a great friend."

McCaffrey got in hot water when he wrote a letter on official lieutenant governor's office stationery endorsing a private car engine power product developed by a Las Vegas man in 1995.

Common Cause questioned the propriety of a public official's office backing a private company.

His second chief of staff, former Assemblywoman Dianne Steel, quit upon being elected a Family Court judge in Las Vegas.

"Dianne and I both came from the Legislature and we had certain ideas what needed to be done," Coward said. "We were a bit handicapped."

She declined to say what differences she had with Hammargren, who said he will run for governor next year.

Coward said she has no definite plans but is "looking at several opportunities," including getting involved in domestic violence prevention programs, as she was in Texas.

She said she is working with Assemblywoman Genie Ohrenschall, D-Las Vegas, on setting up a domestic violence court, similar to the drug courts.