Bill Raggio, 1926-2012

Friday, Feb. 24, 2012 | 7:30 p.m.

The news that Bill Raggio, an icon of Nevada politics, died Thursday night at the age of 85, was met with an outpouring of tributes rightly describing him as a statesman and a leader.

The Reno Republican was a giant in public life, a man of principle who cared deeply about Nevada and the institution of the state Senate.

First elected to the Senate in 1972, Raggio resigned last year due to health issues and left as the longest-serving senator in state history. But his service was more notable for his incredible impact than the length of his tenure.

For 32 years, Raggio was his party’s leader in the Senate, and he was a master of procedure, a consummate deal-maker who knew legislation and the state budget better than anyone. During his tenure, nothing of any importance moved through the Senate without his imprint.

He was a strong, gifted leader who knew how to get things done as well as, if not better than, anyone. No one seemed to be able to outmaneuver Raggio.

Although we disagreed with him on many issues over the years, we held him in great respect. He was a gentleman who could disagree without being disagreeable. He was also true to his principles and his beliefs.

One of the things that set him apart from some of the current generation of Republicans was his willingness to work with Democrats and political opponents to make things happen. He was a man who understood that politics was about possibilities — not perfection.

He also felt that government had a place in society, a belief that might be something of a heresy in some conservative circles. But Raggio didn’t believe it had a big role. (He liked to say it should be “lean, not mean.”)

His willingness to compromise, most notably on taxes, got him into trouble as the Republican Party moved further to the right and many members balked at any compromise and used taxes a litmus test. A conservative by any reasonable definition, Raggio tried to keep Ronald Reagan’s 11th commandment to not speak ill of another Republican. Thus it was sadly ironic when some members of his party turned on him, labeling him a RINO — Republican in name only.

Raggio was tossed from his leadership role after the 2010 election because he offered a tepid endorsement of U.S. Sen. Harry Reid. Raggio said he couldn’t see endorsing Reid’s opponent, Tea Party favorite Sharron Angle, whom he said was ineffective in the Legislature and had “radical” ideas. He said the state needed someone who could “be effective, work with others, and best represent the interests of our state.”

That statement is a good summary of Raggio. Although we saw things differently, we knew Raggio was working out of his beliefs to fulfill what he felt were the best interests of the state he loved.

Nevada has lost a true statesman in his passing. He set an incredible example. We can only hope there will be more like him in the future.

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