Lt. Gov. Krolicki won’t run for U.S. House seat

By Cy Ryan

Thursday, May 5, 2011 | 4:20 p.m.

CARSON CITY – Lt. Gov. Brian Krolicki has decided against entering the crowded field of candidates running in a special election for U.S. House to represent Northern Nevada.

Krolicki, a Republican, said he must devote his energy to the Legislature, where he serves as president of the Senate.

“The demands to immediately raise federal campaign funds and to organize a campaign team would be, in my opinion, unconscionable distractions during the final weeks of the Legislature or during any subsequent special legislative session should it be necessary in the months ahead,” Krolicki said in a prepared statement.

Rep. Dean Heller was appointed by Gov. Brian Sandoval to replace Sen. John Ensign.

The 2nd Congressional District includes a small part of Clark County and the state's remaining 16 counties.

So far, Republicans Sharron Angle, state Sen. Greg Brower and retired Navy Commander Kirk Lippold are running for the seat. Democrats include state Treasurer Kate Marshall, Jill Derby and Nancy Price. Both Derby and Price ran against Heller and were defeated.

Filing opens May 23 and runs through May 25. The election is set for Sept. 13.

The state Republican Party filed a lawsuit in district court in Carson City seeking to require Secretary of State Ross Miller to have the political parties nominate a candidate, rather than opening the election to a full field.