Editorials: Gibbons made the right call

Tuesday, Aug. 26, 2003 | 9:53 a.m.

There was a lot to commend a U.S. Senate race next year between Sen. Harry Reid, D-Nev., and Rep. Jim Gibbons, R-Nev.

Gibbons, a decorated combat veteran of the U.S. Air Force and Nevada Air Guard, served three terms in the Nevada Assembly, ran for governor in 1994 and was elected to the House in 1996. He has an undergraduate degree in mining and a master's in geology/mining -- a solid background for a state with a rich mining heritage. And he has a law degree, giving him an added credential for political leadership.

Reid, who also holds a law degree, started out in public life as the city attorney for Henderson. He then served in the Assembly before becoming, at age 30, Nevada's youngest-ever lieutenant governor. He chaired Nevada's Gaming Commission for five years and was twice elected to the House beginning in 1983. He has served in the Senate since 1986 and in 1998 was elected by his colleagues to the influential position he holds today -- Assistant Democratic Leader.

Gibbons is a conservative Republican who in 1994 authored the Gibbons Tax Restraint Initiative that garnered so much attention during the 2003 Legislature. Reid is a moderate Democrat who has championed environmental and consumer issues. Reid and Gibbons each have deep Nevada roots and long, impressive resumes. A race between these two for the U.S. Senate would have offered Nevadans a clear choice and surely would have boosted turnout at the polls.

Having said all of that, we were nevertheless glad on Monday when Gibbons formally announced that he would continue on in the House and not challenge Reid next year. Although we often disagree with Gibbons, notably on state tax issues, we recognize that he is an established member of four key committees covering intelligence, homeland security, natural resources and the armed services. His background is ideal for those committees and he is building a national reputation, particularly on the Permanent Select Committee on Intelligence. He is in a position to represent Nevada's interests in ranching, mining and military bases.

And we think Reid's seniority and leadership in the Senate should by all means be preserved. Reid is a member of the Appropriations Committee and chairs the Transportation, Infrastructure and Nuclear Safety subcommittee. He is perfectly positioned to represent the state's opposition to opening Yucca Mountain and to be a counterweight against President Bush's damaging economic policies. Reid's national stature will only grow, if we'll only return him to office.