Las Vegas Sun

February 12, 2012

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Gibbons says he wouldn’t appoint himself if Ensign resigns

Tuesday, Oct. 13, 2009 | 11:41 a.m.

Click to enlarge photo

Gov. Jim Gibbons speaks with reporters in Las Vegas during a Sept. 10 news conference on the I-15 expansion project.

CARSON CITY – Were Sen. John Ensign to resign, Gov. Jim Gibbons said Tuesday he wouldn't appoint himself to the U.S. Senate seat.

Gibbons told reporters that it’s up to Ensign -- whose affair with a staff member has led to new allegations that he violated the federal one-year lobbying ban -- to decide whether to remain in the Senate.

If Ensign resigned because of his recent troubles, Gibbons said he would name a replacement. The governor said he would not appoint himself or Brian Sandoval, who is challenging Gibbons in the GOP gubernatorial primary election next year.

Gibbons said he intends to stay in the race for a second term despite a poor showing in the polls.

A recent sampling by the Mason-Dixon Polling & Research Inc., for the Las Vegas Review-Journal, showed Sandoval defeating Gibbons 41-20 percent in the Republican primary election. Former North Las Vegas Mayor Michael Montandon had 4 percent. There were 35 percent undecided.

The governor also said he was “hopeful” a settlement could be reached in his divorce case with his wife, Dawn. A settlement conference is scheduled for Wednesday.

The governor filed for divorce in May 2008.

Asked if he was concerned about a public divorce trial, Gibbons replied, “I don’t care about it.”

He added he doesn’t think the case should be public, “but some in the media don’t care.” He said his concern was “the family and kids.”

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