Rogers switches party to nonpartisan

Wednesday, Aug. 3, 2005 | 11:13 a.m.

State university system Chancellor Jim Rogers, who has said in recent weeks he is thinking of running for governor in 2006, has switched his party affiliation from Republican to nonpartisan.

The switch happened Aug. 1, according to the Clark County Election Department.

Rogers could not be immediately reached for comment this morning because he was taping an episode of "Face to Face With Jon Ralston" that was to air at 5:30 p.m., 6:30 p.m., 8 p.m. and 10:30 p.m. today as well as 3 a.m. and 11:30 a.m. Thursday on Las Vegas ONE, Cox cable channel 19.

Ralston planned to ask Rogers about the registration change and whether it had implications for the gubernatorial race, the show's executive producer, Dana Gentry, said.

John Hambrick, chairman of the Clark County Republican party, said Rogers' switch caught him buy surprise.

"Had he continued forward (and run for the GOP gubernatorial nomination), the Republican primary would have been very interesting," he added.

Rogers would have been up against Rep. Jim Gibbons, R-Nev., state Sen. Bob Beers of Las Vegas and Lt. Gov. Lorraine Hunt.

Assembly Speaker Richard Perkins of Henderson and Senate Minority Leader Dina Titus of Las Vegas have tossed their hats in the ring for the Democrats.

If Rogers runs as an independent, "he could have crossover support from both sides," Hambrick said.