Las Vegas Sun

March 29, 2024

Gibbons trails other candidates in raising $165,000

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Gov. Jim Gibbons

Sun Coverage

Gov. Jim Gibbons raised just $165,000 in 2009 while spending $130,000, leaving him with a stunningly paltry campaign account for an incumbent that puts him at a significant cash disadvantage compared to his opponents.

Gibbons spent most of his money -- a whopping $76,000 -- on his former campaign manager, Robert Olmer. Olmer was working on his first campaign before being fired in late December for comparing the position of first lady in Nevada to "window dressing."

Gibbons' campaign also reimbursed chief of staff Robin Reedy $1,800 for expenses related to the campaign.

Fellow Republican hopeful Brian Sandoval has raised $903,000 and has $756,000 in cash on hand. Democrat and Clark County Commission Chairman Rory Reid has raised $3.3 million and has $2.6 million in cash on hand. Former North Las Vegas Mayor Mike Montandon, also a GOP contender for governor, raised $300,000 but spent about $275,000.

Even lower-ticket elected officials, such as Secretary of State Ross Miller ($220,000) and State Senator Barbara Cegavske ($222,000), outraised Gibbons.

It's a far cry from where Gibbons was four years ago, as he steamrolled with $6 million in the Republican primary and then the general election.

Since then, many of his most trusted advisers and money bundlers have abandoned him.

Big donors to Gibbons include:

-$10,000 Charles and Donna Ruthe of Las Vegas

- $10,000 Robert Davidson of Incline Village

- $10,000 Bill and Cynthia Brady of Las Vegas

- $10,000 Gary Goett of Las Vegas

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