Director leaving during Republican Party shakeup

Thursday, March 11, 1999 | 11:24 a.m.

The Nevada Republican Party's executive director and his statewide staff have been laid off as part of a restructuring move in preparation for the 2000 campaign season.

Dan Burdish, who has been executive director the past three years, said he and six other staff members will step aside March 23 so that a new team can be assembled by GOP Chairman John Mason.

Mason had asked for the resignations on Tuesday.

The move is said to be part of efforts by Gov. Kenny Guinn, the first Republican governor since 1982, to establish control over the party.

In recent months the party had piled up a $170,000 debt, which officials are confident will be retired during the restructuring.

"It's something that needs to be done," Burdish said. "There are no bitter feelings here."

The layoffs come amid rumors that Mason, a Lake Tahoe entertainment lawyer, may also step down in the near future.

Some within the party would like to see a chairman from Southern Nevada, the GOP's biggest base of support.

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