Monday, August 25, 2003
Copyright © Las Vegas Review-Journal

2004 ELECTION: Gibbons rejects Senate bid

House efforts against terrorism too important, lawmaker says

"I would love to be a U.S. senator, but the responsibilities I have now in the House take precedence over political ambition." REP. JIM GIBBONS ABOUT HIS DECISION NOT TO RUN FOR THE U.S. SENATE

WASHINGTON -- Ending months of speculation, Rep. Jim Gibbons on Sunday said he would not challenge Sen. Harry Reid in next year's U.S. Senate race in Nevada.

Gibbons' decision removes the biggest obstacle in Reid's path to a fourth term and leaves Republicans scrambling to find a candidate who can mount an effective campaign for the Senate in 2004.

In an interview by phone from his home in Reno, Gibbons cited his desire to continue his work on House committees against terrorism as the big reason he chose not to seek the Republican nomination.

"I would love to be a U.S. senator, but the responsibilities I have now in the House take precedence over political ambition," Gibbons said.

Gibbons, 58, said his decision had nothing to do with the potentially brutal campaign he would face against Reid, who is the second highest-ranking Democrat in the Senate.

The turning point, Gibbons said, came this month when he toured Azerbaijan, which borders Iran and Russia, and the former Soviet republic of Georgia.

"There is a corridor (in that region) used by terrorists, including al-Qaida, and what I learned was very concerning to me," Gibbons said. He declined to elaborate, citing security concerns.

Shortly after returning from the 15-day trip on Aug. 16, Gibbons said he decided to seek re-election to the House in 2004 and stay out of the Senate race.

"Before the trip, I was still 50-50" on whether to challenge Reid, he said.

He would not say whether he planned to run for governor in 2006. He acknowledged a controversial decision last month by the Nevada Supreme Court factored into his decision to pass on a Senate bid.

The 6-1 ruling allowed Nevada lawmakers to raise taxes by a simple majority for public education costs. Gibbons led successful efforts in 1994 and 1996 to pass a constitutional amendment requiring a two-thirds majority for any tax increase.

"No doubt about it, that decision put back into focus the tax restraint initiative I was proud to have started," he said. "It ended up raising my name recognition around the state, and I look forward to the future.

"I don't know if I will run for governor in 2006. That's a long way off."

The support for Reid by leading Republicans in Nevada including former Rep. Barbara Vucanovich, R-Nev., did not influence his decision to stay out of the Senate race, Gibbons said.

Despite having made the decision not to run, Gibbons scheduled news conferences for today in Las Vegas and Reno.

"They're two different media markets, and I want to give everybody the same opportunity to question me about this decision," Gibbons said. "You know there is a lot of speculation in the media about this race and my prospects for 2006, and this is my way of answering all those questions."

As late as Thursday, Gibbons was telling reporters he was convinced he could defeat Reid in next year's Senate election.

"I still believe, had I chosen to run for the Senate, it would have been a very competitive race, and I honestly believe I could have won," Gibbons said.

Gibbons said he is unworried that his decision not to run will disappoint Republicans who made no secret that the four-term congressman was their first choice to unseat Reid.

"I encouraged everyone who talked to me to jump right in if they wanted to run. I never discouraged anybody," he said.

He declined to name potential Republican candidates, but Gibbons said he is confident the GOP nominee will have a good chance against Reid.

"Nevadans want a senator who will not be an obstructionist and who shares their values," he said. "I think a Republican will be elected to the Senate (in 2004). It's just not going to be me."

Gibbons said that he phoned Reid on Sunday afternoon and that the senator thanked him for telling him about his decision.

In recent weeks, Gibbons has been critical of Reid and suggested the senator was trying to buy a fourth term with a war chest of $3.1 million. The criticism fueled speculation that Gibbons was preparing to announce a Senate bid.