Having the ear of the governor

Steve Kanigher and J. Patrick Coolican

Sunday, Nov. 12, 2006 | 1:18 a.m.

The power behind the throne is what really matters.

The administration of Gov.-elect Jim Gibbons will likely be no different, especially considering all the help he needed - financially and politically - to get elected in a bruising campaign that went down to the wire.

Here is a snapshot of some people expected to become key players in the Gibbons administration:

Senior staff

Gibbons likely will be served by loyalists from his campaign and congressional offices.

"Robert would be a very good choice," said Pete Ernaut, a Republican lobbyist who was Gov. Kenny Guinn's first chief of staff. "He's universally respected. And he has important relationships with key people."

An open door

A set of lobbyists and political advisers who helped during the campaign and have always been close to Gibbons will have excellent access to the governor and his staff. Need something done? Want to get appointed? Call these people.

Financial contributors

Gibbons raised $5.7 million and owes much to his financial contributors, who helped him to run a tough ad campaign against his Democratic opponent, state Sen. Dina Titus.

Sun reporter Mary Manning contributed to this report.