Candidates line up to challenge Gibbons

Friday, May 14, 2004 | 9:23 a.m.

SUN CAPITAL BUREAU

CARSON CITY -- Dan Maxey, a longtime Reno businessman, filed Thursday for the Democratic nomination for the 2nd Congressional District, a job now held by Republican Jim Gibbons.

Maxey said he's tired of "George the Second and his 'yes' man" referring to President Bush and Gibbons, who is seeking his fifth term.

"I support the military, but I don't support the brutality, torture and forced sex" that was apparently taking place at the U.S.-run prison in Iraq, Maxey said. "The state of the economy is miserable, particularly on jobs. And I'm against subsidies for business to export jobs."

Maxey, 54, has owned a jewelry store in Reno since 1979. He has a bachelor's degree in history and philosophy from the University of New Mexico.

Maxey will face Dennis Bennett in the Democratic primary. Maxey said Gibbons should get some stiff opposition no matter which Democrat wins. The district includes a portion of Clark County and all of the other 16 counties.

Also submitting his candidacy Thursday for the seat was Brendan Trainor, a Libertarian from Reno, who ran for the same office two years ago.

Trainor, 55, a quality control supervisor for an airline, said the Republicans are expanding government faster than the Democrats. On foreign policy, Trainor said, he predicted two years ago the war in Iraq would turn into a debacle.

"We can't reform the world," said Trainor, who has also run twice for the Assembly and once for state treasurer.