Tuesday, April 28, 1998 | 10:49 a.m.
CARSON CITY -- Dawn Gibbons, the wife of Rep. Jim Gibbons, R-Nev., announced Monday she will run for the state Assembly in Reno's District 25.
Gibbons, 44, was appointed to serve in the Assembly in 1991 when her husband resigned his seat to serve with the Air National Guard during the Persian Gulf War. When he returned in April that year, she relinquished the seat and he was reappointed to complete the session.
Gibbons said it isn't unique having spouses serve in two elective offices. For instance, she said the wife of Sen. Arlen Specter, R-Pa., served on the city council in their hometown and the governor of Maine was married to a Congresswoman.
"Members of Congress have been married to each other, served in state, local and federal government positions including cabinet members, and various other appointed positions in government including the White House," she said.
She said she and the couple's children continue to live in Reno while Jim Gibbons is in Washington, D.C.
"We tried it both ways," she said, referring to the time the family lived in Washington.
But because of his busy schedule the family seldom saw Jim Gibbons, so they returned to Nevada where they see him every weekend.
Dawn Gibbons is seeking the seat vacated by Republican Brian Sandoval who accepted an appointment to the Nevada Gaming Commission by Gov. Bob Miller. Republicans outnumber Democrats in the district 12,057 to 7,799.
Jim Gibbons is expected to announce his candidacy for a second term in Congress and so far there has not been any major opposition.
Dawn said if elected she will serve for $1 and will not accept reimbursement for travel or per diem.
"Second, I will not accept contributions from political action committees, or lobbyists, who do business in Washington, D.C. Third, I will declare and report every single contribution which is made to my campaign regardless of the amount."
The law requires that persons or groups that give $100 or more must be identified.
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