Meet the guy who is second in line for governor

J. Patrick Coolican, Sun Capital Bureau

Tuesday, March 20, 2007 | 7:10 a.m.

CARSON CITY - Sen. Bob Beers, R-Las Vegas, passed along a half-facetious tip Monday morning: Talk to Amodei.

It was a reference to Mark Amodei, the Senate's president pro tempore. The state constitution has it that Amodei, a Carson City Republican, would become governor should current Gov. Jim Gibbons and Lt. Gov. Brian Krolicki suddenly decide to find another line of work.

Or other accommodations.

With Gibbons under FBI investigation and Krolicki facing scrutiny for his management of a state college tuition savings plan, the witty buzz around Carson City has everyone musing about a "Gov. Amodei."

So who is he?

Amodei, 48, comes from five generations of Northern Nevadans. He's an attorney specializing in real estate development law. He has two daughters, one at UNR, one in the Navy.

More importantly, he owns a '58 GMC pickup truck, an '86 GMC pickup truck, a '99 Chevy Tahoe (not a grocery-getter, he insists), '71 GMC pickup truck, an '05 Jeep and half a '61 Chevy Viking. He promised that if he becomes governor, he won't be keeping his fleet on cinder blocks on the mansion lawn.

Herewith, an interview about what an Amodei administration would be like.

Would drinking and smoking cigars be allowed in the mansion?

Yes, well, certainly in the yard.

What would your first priority be?

Upgrading yard work equipment. A chain saw. Snowblower. Riding mower. I'm partial to John Deere.

Would you have a private yard work improvement fund? Would you accept donations during the session?

As long as they're fully disclosable.

Who would you choose as your lieutenant governor?

Someone who doesn't need much office space. (He chuckles at the sly reference here to a fight over office space between Krolicki and Treasurer Kate Marshall.)

Would you ask the outgoing governor and lieutenant governor to retain all documents, e-mail and other correspondence?

No. (Another chuckle.)

Where were you educated?

Carson City High School, class of 1976.

Did you have a muscle car?

As a graduation gift, I got a '69 Chevelle. I spent all the money I made that summer on paint and chrome.

How would you describe the cuisine of the mansion during your tenure?

A fair representation of the state's drive-throughs.