Breeden won’t seek re-election, saying injured mom ‘comes first’

CARSON CITY -- State Sen. Shirley Breeden will not seek re-election to her District 5 seat next year because she must care for her mother, who was seriously hurt in a car accident over the summer.

"My mom comes first," the Henderson Democrat said Monday while crying. "She asked me if I was running, and I said yes. She cried and said, 'Who is going to take care of me?' "

Breeden's 78-year-old mother, Geneva Foster, was injured Aug. 4 in the accident, in which her husband, Robert, was killed. The other driver was accused of running a red light.

In the Legislature, Breeden was one of the foremost advocates of improving driver safety. She is the author of the bill that outlawed texting and the use of hand-held cellphones by drivers.

Her departure might benefit former Henderson City Councilman Steve Kirk, a Republican who has announced his candidacy for the seat. But Democrats hold a 6 percentage point advantage in the southeastern Las Vegas and Henderson district.

Breeden said she was confident she would have beaten Kirk. She endorsed former state Sen. Joyce Woodhouse, a Democrat, who will run to replace her in District 5.

Woodhouse served one term as senator in another district in the Henderson-southeast Las Vegas area but was defeated in the November 2010 election by Republican Michael Roberson, the presumptive Senate GOP leader at the next session of the Legislature.

Woodhouse said she has been "best friends" with Breeden for years and realizes her mother's health comes first.

In seeking the Senate seat, Woodhouse said she does not have to move because as part of redistricting, her home was placed in District 5.

"A lot of the precincts were in my old district," Woodhouse said. "I have walked the district more than once."

She said the 6 percentage point registration advantage was more than she had when she represented the old district and bodes well for her chances.

"Nevadans need a lot of help," Woodhouse said. "Getting Nevadans back to work comes first."

Kirk expressed his concern for Breeden and the well-being of her mother.

"We wish her the best," he said. "For those of us who have lost a parent, it is a horrible thing."

Kirk said his goal was not to win the race because of any perceived weakness in Breeden but to present better ideas to solve the state's problems.

Roberson said last week that Republicans must pick up Breeden's seat if they are to regain the majority in the Senate. Democrats hold an 11-10 advantage.

Breeden said her mother lost her sight and suffered brain injuries and other problems in the accident. She said she has been spending most of her time at her mother's home.

"I seem to be the caretaker of my family," Breeden said. "She is my mom, and I have to take care of her. I have to work with her and help stimulate her brain. They say the first year is critical in the recovery. I would have started campaigning, but my mom is my first priority."

Contact Capital Bureau Chief Ed Vogel at evogel@reviewjournal.com or 775-687-3901.