Sandoval rejects request to run against Reid

Friday, May 7, 2004 | 9:35 a.m.

CARSON CITY -- Attorney General Brian Sandoval says thanks, but no thanks, to the effort to draft him to run for the U.S. Senate against Democratic incumbent Harry Reid.

"I'm very happy and I intend to serve out my term," Sandoval said after a petition was filed Thursday with the secretary of state's office designating him as a candidate for the Senate.

Former state Republican Chairman George Abbott filed the certificate of candidacy, saying he was trying to encourage Sandoval to get into the race. He said Sandoval, if he won, would be the first Hispanic elected to the Senate.

The petition bears the signatures of 10 voters in Douglas County and Abbott said Sandoval has 25 days to accept the candidacy.

Sandoval issued an immediate statement saying, "While I am flattered that a number of people would consider me, I have no interest in pursuing a seat in the U.S. Senate."

Sandoval, the first Hispanic elected to statewide office in Nevada, is considered a rising star in the Republican Party. He was a two-term assemblyman and later served as the chairman of the Nevada Gaming Commission.

Asked during his run for attorney general if he would pursue other offices, he said he wanted to be the state's top law enforcement officer.

State Archivist Guy Rocha said the law permitting a group of voters to file election certificates was passed in 1960, the first and only annual regular session of the Legislature.

With limited research, Rocha said he believes it has never been used successfully or unsuccessfully for major offices such as seats in the Senate, House of Representatives or state constitutional offices.

"There may have been some minor or local office, but as far as a statewide candidacy, there is no indication it ever happened before. It's simple to do," he said. "But I couldn't find any examples."

Sandoval, whose term expires in January 2007, was in Washington, D.C., when Abbott filed the petition. Shortly thereafter, he telephoned the secretary of state's sffice to find out how he could stop their effort.

In a prepared statement, Sandoval said, "I have a contract with the citizens of Nevada and I enjoy immensely the duties and responsibilities of my present office."

Republicans who have filed for the Senate race opposing Reid are Richard Ziser, Carlo Poliak and Kenneth Wegner.