(NV Congressman) Gibbons’ Wife to Explore Run for His House Seat (What about black conservative?)

Roll Call ^ | January 10, 2005 | Nicole Duran

[AuH2ORepublican]

Gibbons’ Wife to Explore Run for His House Seat

By Nicole Duran Roll Call Staff January 10, 2005

Talk has begun in earnest that Rep. Jim Gibbons (R-Nev.) once again wants his wife to succeed him in a legislative body, as he seems certain to vacate his House seat for a run at the governor’s mansion.

[AuH2ORepublican]

I can't post any more, or even read any more, since Roll Call is a pay site. But it seems to me that Jim Gibbons, who was too much of a chicken to run against Senator Harry Reid last year in a race that he could have won, has some gall trying to have his wife replace him in Congress while he runs for Governor. Nevada's 2nd Congressional District, which includes all of Nevada outside of Las Vegas's Clark County, is overwhelmingly Republican, and once Congressman Gibbons steps down it will give us the opportunity to nominate black conservative Republican state Senator Maurice Washington, who has represented part of Washoe County (Sparks) and two other counties in the state senate since 1995. Senator Washington is also the founder and pastor at the Center of Hope Christian Fellowship and is a solid conservative. Here is his résumé: http://www.kvbc.com/Global/story.asp?S=1116804 Senator Washington was endorsed by BAMPAC (Black America's Political Action Committee, a PAC that supports black conservative candidates) for reelection to the state senate, and I'm sure that BAMPAC and other conservative groups will support him if he runs for Congress.

Conservatives should send a message to Congressman Gibbons that if he becomes Governor, his wife should be the First Lady, not a Congresswoman living in Washington, DC. And we should encourage black conservatives such as Maurice Washington to run for Congress, where they can have greater influence not only in national policy, but in helping black voters to see the light and realize that the party that is more in tune with their values and principles is actually the Republican Party.

[AuH2ORepublican]

So, who would you rather have replace Congressman Jim Gibbons of Nevada when he runs for Governor in 2006: Black conservative state Senator Maurice Williams (R-Sparks) or Gibbons's wife? Guess who the Congressman is supporting?

[AuH2ORepublican]

Of course, I didn't mean to type Maurice Williams, it should have been Maurice Washington.

Maurice Washington is the black conservative state senator from Nevada; Maurice Williams is the point guard for the Milwaukee Bucks. I can't believe I messed that one up.

Sorry about that.

[JohnnyZ]

I can't believe anyone knows the point guard for the Milwaukee Bucks. (I gave up on the NBA years ago .... I do still like 'toine, tho).

[fieldmarshaldj]

To say I'm disappointed with Gibbons would be an understatement. He had a moral obligation to rise to the occasion and run against Harry Reid (taking out the 'Rat Senate leadership in one fell swoop). At this point, I hope he is soundly defeated in the GOP primary for Governor. I don't have anything against his wife, but charges of nepotism would arise over her running (despite her having served as a state legislator). If I'm not mistaken, Sen. Olympia Snowe was married to Jock McKernan in ME when he served as Governor (and she then in the House, both of whom having served in opposite Congressional districts), but obviously she would've only been serving as a First Lady only on paper.

As for Sen. Maurice Washington, I wonder how much the state party would rise to support him. I know there have been ethics charges lodged against him in the late '90s (I no longer recall what they were over), and that might hinder his efforts at running. Do we even know if Washington is interested in running ? I wish we could get in (at minimum) two African-American Republicans in Congress so that he doesn't get painted with the brush of tokenism. At this point in the game, I have no idea where our opportunities will be for advancing those candidates at the Congressional level next year (save perhaps for State Sen. Jackie Winters in OR, but she has to run for reelection to her own seat for a final term, and she'd be turning 70 only 3 months into her term in 2007, sadly a bit too old to be embarking on a Congressional career).

[AuH2ORepublican]

"As for Sen. Maurice Washington, I wonder how much the state party would rise to support him. I know there have been ethics charges lodged against him in the late '90s (I no longer recall what they were over), and that might hinder his efforts at running."

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As this December 2002 newspaper article makes clear, the ethical charges against Senator Washington were rather trivial:

"State Sen. Maurice Washington, just re-elected to a third term, has been cleared by a Nevada Ethics Commission panel of allegations of conflict of interest and abuse of power.

Commissioners Bill Flangas and Lizzie Hatcher, both of Las Vegas, found there was insufficient evidence to go forward with a hearing before the full commission.

Washington, R-Sparks, had called the case frivolous and denied any wrongdoing.

The complaint was filed in August by Washoe County resident Joseph Donohue, who questioned Washington's role in running a public charter school out of his church; his misdemeanor charge for nonpayment of worker compensation insurance for the school; and his involvement in Reno halfway houses for parolees."

http://www.reviewjournal.com/lvrj_home/2002/Dec-04-Wed-2002/news/20196984.html

[fieldmarshaldj]

I kept thinking it was longer ago than that. As I said before, it's just a question of whether he is even interested in running (he'll have to decide to run for that or for another term in the State Senate).

[Do not dub me shapka broham]

What about Ray Allen?

Is he still playing for the Bucks, or has his cinematic career taken off?

[JohnnyZ]

Ray Allen is in a contract year or something, lighting it up for the Sonics. Ah, for the days of Dale Ellis and Xavier McDaniel .....

[Do not dub me shapka broham]

X-MAN!

[LdSentinal]

Nevada secretary of state (Dean Heller-R) to run for Congress

Anybody know anything about him on social/economic issues?

[AuH2ORepublican]

"Anybody know anything about him on social/economic issues?"

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If I recall correctly from the 2004 Senate threads, Dean Heller is pro-choice on abortion but otherwise conservative, and was opposed to the unconstitutional tax rise (but didn't stick his neck out against it either). Maybe Johnny can fill us in with the details, since he was bullish on Heller as a statewide candidate last year.

I remember posting, after Heller passed on running against Harry Reid for the Senate, that his cowardice should not be rewarded by electing him to a safe GOP House seat (Bush got 57% in the redrawn district in each of the 2000 and 2004 elections). If Sen. Maurice Washington decides to throw his hat into the ring, I don't see why we should support Heller over him.

[JohnnyZ]

Guinn, Sandoval, Heller, all RINO pretty boys when it comes down to it. Useful to win elections but I wouldn't trust any of 'em re conservative agenda. Ensign is good, Porter is good, Gibbons is the best of the rest. Then you go down a level to the mixed bag in the legislature.

It's bizarre that we have all these pro-abort GOPers but a nominally "pro-life" (except when it matters) Rat in Harry Reid.

[AuH2ORepublican]

"Guinn, Sandoval, Heller, all RINO pretty boys when it comes down to it. Useful to win elections but I wouldn't trust any of 'em re conservative agenda."

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On the other hand, Sen. Maurice Washington is a minister and is 100% pro-life. Seems to me that the "RINO pretty boys" could have been good candidates to take on Harry Reid, but in a solidly Republican 2nd CD (where Bush got 57%) we shouldn't have to settle for anything short of a solid conservative such as Washington.

[Clintonfatigued]

Is it true that Frankie Sue Del Papa (D) is thinking of running also?

[AuH2ORepublican]

"Is it true that Frankie Sue Del Papa (D) is thinking of running also?"

---

No idea, but with a D after her name she will not stand a chance. The only districts to give Bush 57% in both 2000 and 2004 that currently have a Democrat Congressman are the two statewide CDs in the Dakotas, Jim Matheson's CD in UT, Chet Edwards' CD in TX, Gene Taylor's CD in MS and maybe Ike Skelton's CD in MO.