Las Vegas Sun

March 28, 2024

Politics:

Longtime Gibbons supporter now backing Sandoval for governor

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Gov. Jim Gibbons

Brian Sandoval

Brian Sandoval

Republican Coup?

Republican Coup? seg. 2

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  • Republican Coup? seg. 2
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  • Republican Coup? seg. 4
  • Republican Coup? seg. 1

In the latest blow to Gov. Jim Gibbons' re-election campaign, a key political fundraiser during the 2006 election and top adviser during the governor's first three years in office has thrown his support behind Gibbons' Republican rival, Brian Sandoval.

Monte Miller, a conservative businessman, hosted a fundraiser Tuesday for the former federal judge.

"Brian has the best chance of being elected," Miller said. "Everybody can see that in the polling. I made a political decision to support Brian Sandoval."

Miller praised Gibbons, who he called a "good friend and an incredible public servant."

Miller said he had a conversation with Gibbons a few months backs, and most recently a few weeks ago to let him know he would be holding a fundraiser for Sandoval. The fundraiser for Sandoval raised $130,000 to $140,000, Miller said.

When asked if he thought Gibbons would run for re-election, Miller said: "He sure tells us he is. I don't have any reason to believe he would not. I wish he wouldn't, though, and I've told him that."

Miller held Gibbons' first fundraiser for his gubernatorial bid during the 2006 campaign. Since then, Miller emerged as a member of Gibbons' "kitchen cabinet," an informal network of top advisors. Miller participated in many meetings with the governor's staff crafting the budget that Gibbons proposed in January, according to sources.

Robert Uithoven, Gibbons' former campaign manager in 2006 who now isn't affiliated with any candidate, said losing Miller's support will have a financial impact on Gibbons' campaign.

"Monte Miller was one of the most significant supporters of Jim Gibbons in the 2006 campaign, both as a public advocate and a fundraiser," Uithoven said. If the governor does run, Gibbons "has had to come to the conclusion before anyone else that he will have significantly less money than he had available to him in 2006," Uithoven said. But, he noted, "The governor has the bully pulpit and that can help replace a lot of campaign funding that may not materialize."

Gibbons circle of political advisors along with his poll numbers. It used to include experienced political hands like Uithoven, Sig Rogich, and Jim Denton.

His current campaign manager, Robert Olmer, downplayed the significance of losing Miller's support.

"In politics, supporters ebb and flow. You never know where one person will stand from one week to the next, much less one year to the next," he said.

Olmer said he did not know how much money Gibbons will have raised by the end of the year (campaign finance reports will become public on Jan. 15.)

"He's been focused on doing a course correction for the state, creating jobs," Olmer said. "The governor has not been focusing on anything that has to do with the campaign."

Gibbons said in August, "We anticipate having $3 million by the end of the year." But Olmer said, "We're not going to come close to that figure. But I believe after the new year, he will raise considerable funds."

Miller said it's important for Republicans to maintain control of the governor's mansion because both the state Senate and Assembly are controlled by Democrats, and the next session will deal with redistricting political seats and a battle over the budget and taxes.

"It's a reality that had to happen," Miller said of his support for Sandoval. "I had this conversation with Gov. Gibbons, my friend. He knows I'm his friend, I've always been his friend. I look at the polling. The arithmetic of the campaign is very bad for Gov. Jim."

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