Gibson says he’ll be a Democrat if he runs for governor

Friday, July 29, 2005 | 9:24 a.m.

Henderson Mayor Jim Gibson said Thursday that any bid he makes for Nevada governor will be as a Democrat.

The day after the Sun reported that Gibson had told members of the Henderson City Council that he plans to run for governor in the Democratic primary, Gibson didn't dispute the report. Instead, he just smiled and said he has made his decision on whether to run but isn't ready to make a public announcement.

He said he has no timetable for the announcement, saying he has "personal things that need to be completed."

Gibson said another newspaper's report that he was considering running as an independent was wrong.

"I am not running as an independent," Gibson said. "If I run, I will run as a Democrat. I am a Democrat. I am not sure where that comes from. I have never said I would run as an independent."

But, Gibson also said, the speculation about him possibly running as an independent shows that he appeals across both parties and would be a strong candidate.

Both the campaigns of state Sen. Dina Titus, D-Las Vegas, and Assembly Speaker Richard Perkins, D-Henderson, said they have heard such speculation about Gibson running as an independent but aren't spreading it.

Gibson said he followed in his father's footsteps by registering as a Democrat. His dad, James I. Gibson, served as a state senator from 1967 to 1988. Gibson called himself a "conservative/moderate Democrat."

Perkins' campaign consultant Sean Sinclair has questioned the Henderson mayor's Democratic credentials because Gibson gave $1,000 to Rep. Jon Porter R-Nev. in the 2004 campaign. Gibson, a longtime friend of Porter, said he didn't want to dignify what Sinclair said by commenting on it.

Early last week, Gibson said he held a cordial meeting with Perkins in the Henderson mayor's office at the request of Perkins, the city's deputy police chief. He said Perkins told him that he planned to run for governor, while Gibson said he told Perkins that he had yet to make up his mind.

"We are very different people," Gibson said. "If I run, it will be a spirited race. I am going to be very positive and talk about what I bring to the table."

Sinclair said Perkins met with Gibson to brief him on his plans as he has other elected officials. Perkins has set up a gubernatorial campaign office and is expected to make his announcement after he returns from vacation in Europe.