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twitterPopular in their cities, could Reno or Las Vegas mayor be governor?
Saturday, July 4, 2009 | 2 a.m.
Chris Morris
BOB CASHELL
Age: 71
Profession experience: Casino owner and operator
Political experience: Reno mayor; lieutenant governor; regent
Accomplishments: Downtown redevelopment
Signature political move: Co-host fundraiser for Democratic U.S. Sen. Harry Reid and then claim you’re not supporting him in an attempt to placate the Republican base.
Pet peeve: Dilapidated motels
OSCAR GOODMAN
Age: 69
Professional experience: Criminal defense lawyer
Political experience: Las Vegas mayor
Accomplishments: Downtown redevelopment
Signature political move: Hold fundraisers and give friendly quotes to multiple candidates running for the same office. Claim victory no matter which candidate wins.
Pet peeve: Homeless
Sun Archives
- 2010 shaping up as election year to watch (6-11-2009)
- A governor's race where unusual dynamics are at play (6-5-2009)
- Mayor eyes longevity (1-9-2009)
- Hello Mayor! Hello Governor! (9-21-2008)
- Guess who's hoping Gibbons runs again (8-20-2008)
- Long list of potential candidates waiting to unseat Gibbons in 2010 (4-27-2008)
- Waiting for Goodman (4-3-2006)
- Goodman for governor? (5-2-2000)
Sun Coverage
CARSON CITY — Nevada’s two most colorful mayors, Las Vegas Mayor Oscar Goodman and Reno Mayor Bob Cashell, met a couple of weeks ago for a talk.
After hours together in Goodman’s office, they emerged to give supporters a similar account of the meeting: If one is in, the other guy will support him.
As the 2010 race for governor begins to take shape, two wild cards are waiting in the wings with the potential to change the field. Goodman, a Democrat, and Cashell, a Republican, have said they are considering running for governor as independents.
Goodman said this week that he was unhappy with the direction of the state. “I think part of that is partisan politics,” he said. “I want people to be able to sit down and see a person, not a Republican or Democrat.”
Goodman and Cashell have flirted with running for higher office before only to leave supporters cold at the ballot box.
Four years ago, they both considered running for governor. Goodman also strung along the public two years ago, saying he was considering a challenge to U.S. Sen. John Ensign.
The governor’s race is lining up like this: Two Democrats, Assembly Speaker Barbara Buckley and Clark County Commission Chairman Rory Reid, have emerged as front-runners for their party’s nomination, should they decide to run. On the Republican side, former North Las Vegas Mayor Mike Montandon and former state Sen. Joe Heck are presumed to be challenging incumbent Gov. Jim Gibbons, who has said he will seek reelection.
Goodman is termed out as Las Vegas mayor in 2011. His bid during the legislative session to change the city election schedule — a move that would have given him an additional 18 months in office — failed.
Testing the waters for a run for governor, he ran an internal poll this year. The results against Buckley and Reid were disappointing.
Cashell won’t rule out running as a Republican, but his relationship with his party could make that a difficult route.
A Democrat-turned-Republican, he has a history as a moderate.
After Gibbons vetoed a voter-approved Washoe County gas tax increase, Cashell said the governor had “lied” about his support for it. When Senate Minority Leader Bill Raggio’s office was flooded with calls protesting the Legislature’s tax increase, Cashell took time to answer calls and try to talk voters into supporting the tax increases. He recently sponsored a fundraiser for Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid, but claimed it wasn’t an endorsement of the Democratic senator.
Eric Herzik, a political science professor at the University of Nevada, Reno, said it would be almost impossible for Cashell to win a Republican primary. He noted the Clark County Republican Party’s resolution condemning Republicans who voted for the Legislature’s tax increase.
“He’s got a real problem with the Republican base,” Herzik said.
Goodman would also have problems running as a Democrat.
With Reid and Buckley presumed to be in the race, there appears to be little room for the mayor who has played up his populist appeal, but has done little to shore up a Democratic base. He has played up his reputation as a former mob lawyer, appearing at events with showgirls and a martini.
“At the moment, Mayor Goodman is only considering the possibility of running as an independent,” said Jim Ferrence, Goodman’s political consultant. “His appeal has largely been due to the fact that he’s been a nonpartisan known for his straight talk, which has leaned in both directions, politically.”
Herzik said a third-party or independent candidate would have to build a statewide organization — a tough road.
“You’re neither a fish nor a fowl,” Herzik said. “You’re asking people to walk away from party labels. People will say they’re independent, they don’t care about party. Political science tells us differently.”
Ferrence acknowledged that Goodman’s only realistic option would be to run as an independent and hope for some good fortune. “The only chance for an independent is brutal primaries on both sides,” he said.
Goodman has handily won his three elections, most recently with 84 percent of the vote in 2007. But he has faced feeble opposition since his first election.
Cashell is described as a straight-talker, still with a Texas drawl, who is not afraid to tackle controversial issues. But he’s also described as a consensus builder, who defused a politically tense situation on the Reno City Council and helped rejuvenate Reno’s downtown.
Cashell won his second mayoral term in 2006 with 75 percent of the vote against a poorly funded opponent.
He has a longer political resume than Goodman does, including statewide office, even if he’s not well known in Southern Nevada.
Cashell, 71, was a partner in 1967 in a truck stop that became the Boomtown casino. He sold it and has opened a number of casinos and turned around troubled casinos.
He served on the Board of Regents from 1979 to 1982, when he became lieutenant governor. Elected as a Democrat, he changed parties after a call from President Ronald Reagan. He was also chairman of the Republican Party but faded from politics until 2002, when he ran for mayor.
Herzik said both Goodman and Cashell are colorful politicians, although Goodman makes more of a point to draw the spotlight.
“For Northern Nevada (Cashell) is colorful, but that’s the difference between Las Vegas and Reno,” he said. “If you ask him a question, he’ll give you an answer unless he’s playing coy about whether he’s running for office.”
Cashell said he believes his business experience could help the state, but the drawbacks would be time away from his children and grandchildren.
“I think I can provide a little more leadership,” he said. “The challenge is very strong right now, and I want to ... build a consensus.”
Discussion: 13 comments so far…
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happy 4th nevada. retreds just what you need. hey palin is available.
The former mayor of N Las Vegas is already running for GOV, whatever his name is. Reid has the money, the organization, name recognition, endorsements, and would edge out the others in a three way race.
Sure, why not; they both leave veterans on the streets homeless or in sick & nasty prison-like shelters.
Oscar would be better than the present guy - whaz his name - Jimbo or Jumbo or maybe Dumbo? Ok, the government is mostly a show - let the show begin!!!
Run as Independents...does anybody believe that their voting records will be anything diffrent than their previous records? They just want more votes. I like neither of these two.
They're both democrats if you ask me. Guess that kind of helps explain why they both agree on things.
This guy isn't popular, I'm not sure how he managed to get elected. Most of the people I meet in this town are not pro-Goodman.
Let's ease up on misleading readers into thinking this guy is worthy of being a Governor. Those who have been here a while have seen this guy in action and are not impressed.
Mayor Goodman should give thought to running against Senator Ensign. Oscar is a high profile personality sometimes, sure, but almost always in a good way for a reason most people can understand.
He is smart and understands legal and financial details. He brings immediate presence. While he is probably not interested in spending considerable time away from Clark County, he is someone who would be very interesting in the nation's capital, someone who would stir the drink now and then in the big leagues.
two guys that cant attract flies; maybe they can catch on w/ palin when she runs in 2012.
I've never understood why Goodman keeps getting (re)elected, but I'm sure that he would win governor. This town and this state need to let go of the past and get some younger, more progressive politicians in office so we can set ourselves up for a better future. But my experience here has taught me that this is an extreme minority opinion. We'll keep trudging ahead with the same old boys in office until there's nothing left, but what do they care, they'll be dead soon... Vegas baby! whooooo...
With all the name calling and outright disgust with politicians and political parties I am waiting for the day when "none of the above" finally wins. This is the only state I am aware of that has that option on the ballot and I for one check it regularly. When are we going to take running government seriously? It's supposed to belong to us. If none of the retreads or carrier morons is up to the task, say so at the ballot box. It might cost us a little $$$ in the short run but it might just wake these clowns up.
Run Oscar, Run!