Gibbons not living at the Mansion

Governor residing at his Reno residence; first lady remains in Carson City

Tiffany Brown

Gov. Jim Gibbons continues to do the state’s business while he and his wife, Dawn, work through marital problems, the governor’s spokesman said.

By David McGrath Schwartz

Sat, Apr 26, 2008 (2 a.m.)

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Gov. Jim Gibbons has moved out of the Governor’s Mansion in Carson City as he and first lady Dawn Gibbons deal with marital problems.

“Currently he entertains and conducts needed state business at the mansion, but is temporarily staying in the Reno residence while going through this difficult and painful time,” Jim Denton, a chief political consultant for Gibbons, said in an e-mail.

First lady Dawn Gibbons continues to live in the Governor’s Mansion, according to her attorney, Cal Dunlop.

Denton said he did not know how long Jim Gibbons has been staying in Reno, where he and Dawn Gibbons have owned a house since 1989, according to the Washoe County Assessor’s Office.

But sources said Gibbons moved out a number of weeks ago, after his wife decided to remain in the Governor’s Mansion.

“The governor continues to do the state’s business as usual,” Denton said.

In late February a top Gibbons staffer, Dianne Cornwall, confirmed to a Reno newspaper that the Gibbonses were experiencing marital problems. Since then, both camps have remained mum. Sources, though, said lawyers are involved in discussions between the two.

Jim Gibbons’ allies hope for a relatively speedy and quiet divorce.

But Dawn Gibbons’ refusal to move out of the Governor’s Mansion could bode ill for those hopes.

Sources said Jim Gibbons asked for the divorce, though no papers have been filed.

The Governor’s Mansion, about one-half mile from the state Capitol, was built from 1908 to 1909 on privately donated land for the governor of Nevada and his family. The maintenance and operating budget for the mansion is $742,000 for the current fiscal year and next year.

Eric Herzik, a political science professor at the University of Nevada, Reno, said the situation inevitably requires the governor’s attention.

“Even if this goes smoothly, it’s a distraction,” he said. The first lady living in the Governor’s Mansion and the governor living elsewhere “adds another level of complication.”

“You certainly have to have some kind of compassion, a respect for privacy,” he said. “It’s a marital issue.”

Herzik noted that a number of past governors have split their time between their private residences and the state’s official house.

Perhaps the closest recent parallel to Gibbons’ situation is that of Colorado Gov. Bill Owens. Owens and his wife, Frances, separated in 2003, while he served out his second term. The couple had been living with their three children in a private house. Bill Owens moved into the Governor’s Mansion before the couple reconciled in 2005. The couple recently filed for divorce.

“All of it was handled very discreetly,” said Bob Loevy, a political science professor at Colorado College in Colorado Springs. “If anyone was mad or angry, it never came out publicly.”

Although Owens’ name disappeared from short lists as a potential 2008 Republican presidential candidate, Loevy said state government functioned as normal.

“Did the Legislature meet, the governor sign bills? Did the governor go around the state, providing political leadership? Yes,” he said. But he pointed out that it is impossible to gauge how much more could have been accomplished had Owens not been going through marital problems.

Denton stressed that the outcome of the Gibbonses’ problems remains uncertain.

“I know they are working toward a resolution and he asks that the family’s personal privacy be respected,” Denton said.

Discussion: 17 comments so far…

By tmbeem

4/26/08 at 2:55 a.m.

Suggest removal

Just ANOTHER reason not to trust Jim Gibbons or his estranged wife. Dawn is NOT the Governor of this state, HER HUSBAND IS! It's NOT HER HOUSE, it's the Governor's house! What, does she think she'll get the mansion in the divorce? This has GOT to be a serious and blatant disregard for the law - if such law exists. I don't care whether or not they're having marital problems. If so, DAWN should move out of the mansion and let her Husband, the Governor, stay in it where he belongs!
By Fccfirstclass

4/26/08 at 5:22 a.m.

Suggest removal

Dawn should hit the bricks.
By nevada_native

4/26/08 at 5:44 a.m.

Suggest removal

The Governor is not living in the "Governor's" Mansion? I agree - what the heck is she doing there if they have another house elsewhere? As far as I know, my tax dollars should not be going to pay for anyone else to live in that house...not that I wanted Gibbons there either...but Dawn should go.
By BringtheRain

4/26/08 at 7:13 a.m.

Suggest removal

It's one thing for a governor from Las Vegas to not live in the Governor's Mansion during his term. But why the heck can't *she* live 30 miles away in Reno?
By vegaslee

4/26/08 at 9:25 a.m.

Suggest removal

For the Governor to do his job he should be living in the Governors mansion.

It appears that not only are husband and wife not getting along neither of them are taking into consideration the people HE was elected to take care of.

Their personal life is none of my business but his running of this state is.

She should show some consideration for the people of this state and move out of the mansion. Let him get back to work like he is being paid to do.
By rubyjochap

4/26/08 at 10:40 a.m.

Suggest removal

Did anyone stop to think what a great job Dawn Gibbons is doing as First Lady?
The Governor has been seen with a married woman who has 4 children.
While they work out "their marital problems" it might be too crowded at the Mansion.
As to Governor Gibbons doing his job, no, he is way too busy traveling all over the country, spending tax payers money and having a grand old time.
By ppuchert

4/26/08 at 10:51 a.m.

Suggest removal

Yes, marital problems are personal and should remain so. The governor has every right to be at the mansion, and he has decided not to live there. Dawn has always been a wife who worked hard to get her husband in political positions. He should remember that and respect it. They are not divorced, and she has every right to live at the mansion because she is the first lady.
By darkhorse

4/26/08 at 12:03 p.m.

Suggest removal

Kind of makes you think how true his story was about Mazzeo?
This habitual liar should just resign and stop living off the taxpayers and traveling across the country for State business. What are we paying in gas for this guy to commute, when he has a taxpayer funded home in CC.
This guy is simply a POS.
Krolicki, I hope your a better Republican Governor.
By aeallen

4/26/08 at 1:54 p.m.

Suggest removal

I do not mean to be unsympathetic at this "difficult marital time"; however, Dawn is not the "Governor" for the State of Nevada. Therefore should not be residing in the mansion while her her marriage is on the rocks. I think it is inappropriate and I think she has no class. Hit the road, Dawn and buy new house with your divorce proceeds.
By LKM

4/26/08 at 4:21 p.m.

Suggest removal

The operating expenses for the house are $742,000 a year? Gee, that makes me feel better about the cuts to our schools and colleges . . .
By kayelane

4/26/08 at 4:24 p.m.

Suggest removal

I have known Dawn Gibbons for over 20 years. She is going through a jolting time of shock and betrayal. She is a gentil person with a sincere heart of gold.. Please don't believe this spin. Still waters run deep with that man.
By NLVResident

4/26/08 at 5:42 p.m.

Suggest removal

I agree that Dawn should vacate the Governor's Mansion. I am completely dumbfounded by the stupid things this Governor continues to do. Let's see: cut the budgets of every agency, but allow his estranged wife to remain in the Mansion at a cost to taxpayers of more than $700,000 per year. If it's true that he's already dating, perhaps the reason he's in Reno is to accommodate his social life in a less visible arena.
By sfiver

4/26/08 at 8:35 p.m.

Suggest removal

Quite a human interest story, eh? $742K to support a mansion to house the governor and his family? This is simply not enough!!! If I were the governor - I would call the legislature back into session immediately and request, no - demand - additional funds for a newer mansion - bigger and more splendid than any other governor's mansion in the entire country. This would allow Mrs. First Lady to stay put. Why should she follow the example set by Jackie Kennedy - who was out of the White House 6 days after her marriage was "over." Take a cue Mrs. Gibbons and get real.
By Judy

4/26/08 at 10:18 p.m.

Suggest removal

Dawn is 'shocked and betrayed'??? Excuse me, she has known for years that this ass clown is a womanizer! She lied for him and covered it up and the states Republicans put this idiot in office.
The citizens of Nevada should not be paying for a Governor's Mansion that he is not living in. This guy has no clue about respect for Nevadans. He, nor she, deserves anything in the way of sympathy. She should have legft him when he attacked Chrissy.
By adt499

4/27/08 at 9:58 a.m.

Suggest removal

Dawn Gibbons is still the first the first lady and has not been divorced from the governor. She has every right to live in the mansion. If the governor chooses to live elsewhere and convort with an other woman that is his problem, but it does not reflect kindly on him and his character or serve to enhance his political career.
By NeVMom

4/29/08 at 2:52 p.m.

Suggest removal

When you elect a Governor, you sometimes (as in this case) get two hard working people for the price of one. Dawn has attended many events when the Governor could not, including memorial services for those lost in the Iraq War.

Dawn is still Nevada's First Lady, until they are divorced. Have any type of papers been filed? If not, aren't they still legally married?

Perhaps she is staying in hope that they can still work things out. She probably doesn't want to abandon their 22 year marriage... If she moves back to their home in Reno, how is she suppose to pay the bills since she sold her businesses to aid their family's (including the Governor's) financial needs?

She worked hard for our State when Jim was in Iraq, later as an Assemblywoman, Congressman's Wife and now as First Lady. I don't believe that she is paid for the hard work she is doing/has done for various organizations and for our State since becoming First Lady.

What does Nevada law say about the abandonment of a Spouse? Isn't this basically what has happened?

If even one of the many rumors are true and the Governor has left her for another woman, then I would stay in the Mansion too, just to make sure the other woman isn't moved in.
By force113

4/29/08 at 8:32 p.m.

Suggest removal

If as one poster stated "Dawn is a good person!" Should she not be more considerate to the people of Nevada? and move out? She could move to Reno get a lawyer and get "separate maintenance" from the Gov. It is called "The Governor's Mansion" not the "First Lady Mansion" She would get more respect from the residence of Nevada if she perused this avenue. Their "difficult marital time" could be more private if she did move out.
The next question is? Who is paying for the Governors Reno resident being the governor is sleeping there? I see more tax loopholes here.

I am so glad the state got these budget cuts so we can pay for the gas the Governor will be using driving his "Ford Pinto" back and forth to Carson City. "snicker"