Hammargren elected chairman of Clark County GOP

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Thursday, July 22, 1999 | 2:19 a.m.

He defeated lobbyist and political consultant Keith Lynam by a 240-219 vote Tuesday. Nevada's Republican governor, Kenny Guinn, had written an endorsement letter and recorded an automated telephone message supporting Lynam.

In his unpaid job, Hammargren will be responsible for raising money and organizing registration programs and grass-roots efforts to help GOP candidates for the next two years.

Both Guinn and Hammargren said they will work together to help Republican candidates win elections in 2000.

Hammargren, a Las Vegas neurosurgeon, credited his victory to his personal contact with members of the Republican Central Committee, his dynamic speech stressing the need for unity, and his promise to "heal the divisiveness plaguing this committee."

Guinn grass-roots organizer Steve Wark, who lined up support for Lynam, said Hammargren simply got out more of his supporters. Wark concluded there was one key reason he won: "People liked Lonnie."