Moran leaves Gaming Commission

Wednesday, April 13, 2005 | 9:38 a.m.

Nevada Gaming Commissioner John T. Moran Jr. said he has some regrets about leaving the post he has held for less than a year, but he thinks now is the time to begin pursuit of a long-time desire to run for a state office.

Moran, a probable candidate for the Democratic nomination for lieutenant governor, announced his resignation from the five-member commission on Tuesday, saying that after discussions with his family he determined that now is the best time to make a run for office.

Moran, a Las Vegas attorney, is son of J.T. "John" Moran Sr., the late Clark County sheriff.

"I've been looking at what I can do and I have been discussing with my wife at length where I am at in my life," said Moran, who won't formally announce what office he will seek until after the resignation is effective April 22.

While Moran won't announce his political plans until after he leaves the board, political insiders say he'll mount a bid for lieutenant governor in 2006.

"In the past, a number of people have asked me to run for different offices," said Moran, who took the commission post Aug. 26. "I feel I've had some good experience in some important areas, water, as chairman of the Colorado River Commission, natural resources, as chairman of the Nevada Board of Wildlife commissioners, and in gaming."

Moran said he'll miss the meeting preparation and interaction with the commission staff.

Moran's eight-month stint on the commission is the second-shortest in the history of the panel. In 1959, attorney Miles Pike served six months of a four-year term of office, from April to October of that year.

Moran succeeded Augie Gurrola and his term was due to expire April 27, 2008.

Greg Bortolin, a spokesman for Gov. Kenny Guinn, said he expects the governor to move quickly to find a replacement for Moran.

"I'm sure the goal is to try to get somebody in there in time for the next meeting," Bortolin said.

After the commission meets in Carson City April 21, it next meets in Las Vegas on May 19.

Bortolin said he expects the governor will consult with representatives of the gaming industry and talk with other interested parties before announcing a replacement.

The Nevada Revised Statutes states that the commission will be comprised of five members, "preferably no two of whom shall be of the same profession or major field of industry." The law also says not more than three members of the commission shall be of the same major political affiliation.

With Chairman Peter Bernhardt, member Arthur Marshall and Moran hailing from the Democratic Party and Sue Wagner and Radha Chanderraj representing the Republicans, the governor would be free to appoint someone from either party.

The commission position pays $40,000 a year.