Mayor weighs run for attorney general

Jeffrey Libby

Tuesday, Sept. 4, 2001 | 10:39 a.m.

Henderson Mayor Jim Gibson is weighing a campaign for state attorney general, one of the most visible and influential state offices and one that previous politicians have held on their way to the governor's mansion.

In a telephone interview last week, Gibson, 53, a conservative Democrat and private attorney, said he is "seriously considering a run" at the office outgoing Attorney General Frankie Sue Del Papa has held since 1991. Del Papa, also a Democrat, announced in July that she will not seek re-election to a fourth term in November 2002.

Gibson will give himself 60 days -- until November -- to decide, he said.

State Democratic Party Chairman Terry Care said he has talked to Gibson about running for the post. Gibson's name recognition, his popularity in Southern Nevada, his conscientiousness as a public servant and his family's public work all make him a strong candidate, Care said.

Gibson's father, James I. Gibson, represented Henderson in the state Legislature for 29 years and helped establish University of Nevada, Las Vegas. Gibson's brother, David, works as a public defender for Clark County.

"But I will tell you," Care said, "Mayor Gibson is not the only name that has been mentioned for the job." He declined to name others.

Republican Brian Sandoval, who recently resigned as chairman of the state Gaming Commission, has said he may run for attorney general.

Care, who is also a state senator, said the job of attorney general will be one of the most important of the six elected statewide offices to the Democratic Party in the next election.

Only the governorship is more visible, Care said. Former Govs. Richard Bryan and Bob List both won their race for governor after serving as attorney general.

"It's the sort of office that, once you're elected, you can turn it into pretty much what you want," Care said. "You get all manner of complaints, you have only so much staff, so you prioritize. You have to decide what you think is most important to the taxpayer."

Del Papa used her office to focus efforts on protecting consumers and on increasing prosecutions of domestic violence, Care said.

Before Gibson determines what he would make of the office of attorney general, he will have to decide what he's willing to leave behind.

A successful campaign would mean giving up his Henderson law practice and uprooting his family for a move to Carson City. By next year the last of his six children will enroll in college.

Gibson would also leave his job as Henderson mayor midway through his second four-year term. He was re-elected without opposition in April.

"The unfinished business I have in Henderson is one of the most significant parts of evaluating a run for attorney general," Gibson said.

One of Gibson's highest priorities, he said, is ensuring strong state support for the Nevada State College at Henderson, scheduled to open for classes by fall 2002.

According to the most recent campaign finance reports, filed for the period from late May to early July, Gibson accepted just $500 from Kerr-McGee Chemical LLC, based in Oklahoma. He spent $29,000, about $5,500 more than he reported in his campaign account. Close to $22,000 of that went to consulting fees.