#nvcd2

  Statement from Lt. Gov. Brian Krolicki today:

  “One of the great opportunities in my professional career was the privilege of working in Washington, DC in 1994 with one of Nevada’s finest representatives in Congress – Barbara Vucanovich. It is this very same seat, Nevada’s 2nd Congressional District, in which a series of remarkable events have led to a unique and extraordinary opportunity to serve the citizens in this sprawling district currently covering ninety percent of Nevada. It is, however, an opportunity that I shall leave for others to pursue and I will not be a candidate in this special election.

  “It has been said that politics is about timing and that opportunities are usually few and far between. I believe both of those statements are true, and while I appreciate the countless number of people from all over Nevada and across the country who have encouraged me to run, now is not the time.”

  “Although I am committed to continuing my public service to the people of Nevada and consider it absolutely critical to elect more conservatives to Congress – my family, my party and my responsibilities as Lieutenant Governor must come before this great opportunity.”

  “I have been blessed with a supportive wife and three incredible young daughters who are the foundation of my world. They are a remarkable, politically-tested family willing to make a family sacrifice to encourage my continued service, but respect and support my decision to forego this opportunity.

  “I firmly believe that political parties have a role in elections and I fully support the Nevada Republican Party’s lawsuit to protect their ability to nominate the candidate of their choice. Voters rely on parties to vet candidates and put their best choice forward. Robbing voters of that knowledge, and the political parties of that process, seems shortsighted.

  “Lastly, my responsibilities as Lieutenant Governor are to the current legislative session, in which I serve as the President of the Senate, and to my work as Chairman of the Nevada Commission on Economic Development. This state is facing a fiscal crisis of historic proportions, and all participants in the legislative process should be completely devoted to its successful and thoughtful conclusion. 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.

Insights From The Cheap Seats For Thursday May 5th

As I mentioned yesterday, the Nevada GOP was considering a lawsuit to try and stop the Ballot Royale that Ross Miller has set in motion.  Today, the Nevada GOP got around to filing the lawsuit that John Ralston refers to as "The Stop Sharron Angle Lawsuit."

The Las Vegas Sun has been nice enough to post a copy of the full complaint for your viewing pleasure and it can be found by: Clicking Here

In addition to the complaint, the Las Vegas Sun has also posted a copy of the Nevada GOP's request for a preliminary injunction, which can be found by: Clicking Here

Nevada GOP's Statement:

“The Nevada Republican Party this morning filed a lawsuit in Carson City, asking the district court to enjoin the Secretary of State from placing the names of candidates that have not been properly nominated by their party on the special election ballot. Our stance has remained consistent. We believe that Nevada’s election law and tradition clearly ensure major party central committees are the nominating body for their own candidates. We are fighting for a fair election and constitutional rights of association, in compliance with Nevada law and the U.S. Constitution. Whether it is politically expedient or popular is not the issue, the Nevada Republican Party is willing to take the necessary steps to stand up for the rights of all Nevadans in the interest of protecting the integrity of our election process." - Mari Nakashima, Communications Director for the Nevada Republican Party

In other news today, the Democrats released copies of their proposed plan for Congressional redistricting:

Democrat Plan Links: Statewide Map |  Clark County View | Statistical Table

GOP Plan Links: Statewide | Clark County View | Statistical Table

John Ralston's Flash about the Democrats plan on redistricting

CD1 (hello, state Senate Majority Leader Steven Horsford) is a North Las Vegas-centered district, CD4 takes in the other urban area (hello, ex-Rep. Dina Titus) and CD3 extends up to Churchill County (Rep. Joe Heck vs. John Oceguera?)

Andrew Doughman of the Nevada News Bureau has penned two stories about the various maps and they can both be found here:

Democrats Unveil Proposed Congressional District Maps

@RalstonFlash: Straw poll idea from GOP is newsworthy not because it will happen, but because shows how desperate the Republicans are. #ballotroyale #nvcd2

@RalstonFlash: A potential #nvcd2 frontrunner told me straw poll idea being sold as possible "because Sharron Angle agreed to it." Shockingly, not so.

@elizcrum: MT @RalstonFlash ...Some in GOP trying 2 organize "private primary" in #nvcd2, get all candidates 2 agree to abide by results / #herdingcats

@elizcrum: RT @MelissaTweets: And the chances of that working are oh, slim and none? / Right. And Slim is vacationing in Utopia. #nvcd2 #nv02

@elizcrum: GOP source says the rumor (that the idea to have a "private primary" in #nv02 is backed by county chairs, some on the exec board) is false.

@elizcrum: Different GOP source says "the person spreading the rumor is the same person who came up with the hare-brained idea." #herdingrabbits

@elizcrum: Clarification: Yes, someone IS floating the idea of a "private primary" in #nv02. Same person saying exec board, county chairs support idea.

@elizcrum: Naturally the rumor has spread, so now multiple people on the GOP central committee are saying "everyone wants" a private GOP primary.

@elizcrum: Bottom line, Tweeps, w/out party support, any "private primary" will be little more than a straw poll + a petition of endorsement. #bigdeal

@elizcrum: .@NVLegTroll 5 sources confirm discussions among central committee members. 0 sources confirm claim of cty, state party support. #nv02

@RalstonFlash:@HotlineJess Think your instincts correct. One GOP strategist called it "goofy," which is understatement. Idea is to open up to all GOP!

I am speechless!  I cannot tell you how exciting it is to see that the Nevada GOP, acted swiftly to go get Kate Marshall!

"Kate Marshall is a reckless politician who brought the Treasurer’s office to an all time low when she blew $50 million in taxpayer money on a Wall Street gamble. Whether it’s making a sloppy investment, or foolishly depending on their advice, Marshall has a history of choosing big banks over the interest of Nevada taxpayers. Nevadans across the state are tightening their belts and fighting to keep their businesses open, we can’t afford to send an ambitious Marshall to Washington while we’re still paying for her past mistakes."

-- Mari Nakashima, Communications Director for the Nevada Republican Party

In today's "Insights from the cheap seats" I take a look at:

Kate Marshall's decision to run to replace soon to be Senator Dean Heller.

And

The DCCC's assertion to John Ralston that they are not involved in the special election being held on September 13th.

Tweets of Interest:

@KateMarshallNV It’s official! I’m in. #NVcd2 

@RalstonFlash: DCCC spox wants me to know, re: #nvcd2: “The DCCC has spoken to a number of potential candidates in NV-02, but hasn’t endorsed anyone.”