Hammargren keeps hat in political ring

Friday, July 23, 1999 | 11:20 a.m.

Former Lt. Gov. Lonnie Hammargren may have been knocked out of the fight for the governor's office last year, but he hasn't left the political arena.

He's keeping his political muscles tuned up for his next bout, whatever and whenever it may be.

"I wouldn't rule out anything," Hammargren said Thursday.

On Wednesday the colorful physician was elected chairman of the Clark County Republican Party, a victory in a preliminary match that could be a ticket to another major fight in the near future.

"I will be an active neurosurgeon till I turn 65," the 62-year-old Hammargren said. "Then, I will be in politics till I'm 75. Then, I will be an entertainer after that, entertaining people the way George Burns did."

Sometimes it's hard to tell when Hammargren is serious and when he's just pulling your chain.

But there is no question about his enthusiasm for his new role in the GOP leadership and his intention to work hard for the party.

"Anything I have done, I work hard at, whether it has been in the space program or neurosurgery. And I'm working just as hard in this program," Hammargren said.

Last year, while Hammargren was still lieutenant governor, plans were announced by Boulder City businessman Paul Fisher to start a museum and space camp called Space Explorers of Nevada.

Hammargren, a renowned collector, said he would move much of his space memorabilia to the new museum and help raise money for the project.

The doctor's prognosis of the local GOP financial condition is good.

"I want to praise Milton Schwartz for leaving a positive balance in the treasury. This has never happened in the previous history of all the chairmen I know," Hammargren said.

Schwartz is the out-going chairman, who just finished a two-year stint.

His term almost ended prematurely during an abrupt ouster attempt earlier this year, with party dissidents claiming he and other elected GOP leaders failed to provide a grassroots effort for Republican office-seekers during last year's election.

The Clark County Republican Central Committee, however, voted 199 to 69 to keep him in office. There are 850 members of the committee.

Hammargren said his main goal is to reunite the party, which has about 213,700 registered members in Clark County compared to about 248,500 Democrats.

"That's why I got elected. I got elected on the platform of trying to heal the divisiveness of various factions," said the doctor. "I have a cross-spectrum of fans in all the various factions. I put together a group of friends that can work together and be a cohesive unit."

The vote was 240-219.

Among the losing candidates was political consultant Keith Lynam, who had Gov. Kenny Guinn's support.

Hammargren says he has spoken to Guinn since the election and Guinn has assured him of his support.

He also will be working with former State Treasurer Bob Seale, who retired earlier this year after eight years in office.

"Bob Seale will relocate to Las Vegas and he will help give financial advice to the county party," Hammargren said.

He said Schwartz is also lending his assistance.

And Ray McKay, executive director of the county GOP for the past 18 months, will continue to help.

"He will continue part time during our transition period," Hammargren said.

McKay was happy with the voter turnout at Tuesday night's election.

"Over 450 people voted at the meeting, the largest I remember and I've been involved in GOP politics for 10 years," McKay said.

Hammargren said he was pleased with the results and is excited about the future.

"Our main emphasis is going to be on local races," he said.