Gibbons files for re-election, says he’s ‘always been an underdog’

By David McGrath Schwartz

Published Thursday, March 11, 2010 | 5:47 a.m.

Updated Thursday, March 11, 2010 | 12:21 p.m.

Gov. Jim Gibbons filed for re-election today, officially entering the race as an underdog in polls and campaign cash, but vowing to campaign hard.

"I will run hard, give lots of speeches and shake as many hands as I can," Gibbons said as he signed filing papers in the Secretary of State's office in Carson City. "I've always been an underdog."

Gibbons pointed to his veto today of a bill that would have instituted a four-day work week, saying it would have "handcuffed" the executive branch and cost millions to implement.

He then pointed to a bill that he said he will sign today that extends a sales tax for construction projects.

"It will create thousands of new jobs," he said. "I want to continue to be doing these things."

Gibbons joins former judge Brian Sandoval and former North Las Vegas Mayor Mike Montandon in the Republican primary. On the Democratic side, Clark County Commissioner Rory Reid has filed for the seat.

Sandoval has the GOP establishment's backing, has the most money of any Republican and leads in polls in both the primary and against Reid. Polls show Gibbons closing on his primary opponents, although he doesn't beat Reid in a general election matchup.

Gibbons pushed back against the suggestion that he has been more engaged during last month's special session than in the past.

"I haven't had a day off in a month," Gibbons said. "A lot of what a governor does is outside what you, the media, see or what others who want to run for governor sees."

He added: "Even I was surprised at the amount of work it requires to be governor."