Ex-challenger of Heller may face him again

RENO -- Jill Derby, the chairwoman of Nevada's Democratic Party who lost a congressional bid against Republican U.S. Rep. Dean Heller in 2006, said Wednesday that she's considering seeking the seat again in the fall.

Derby said heavy Democratic turnout during Nevada's presidential caucuses this month fuel her optimism that a Democrat could win the seat won by Republicans since the 2nd Congressional District was created in 1980.

"I'm certainly in some conversations about it," said Derby, who lost to Heller 50 percent to 46 percent.

"People have been talking to me, sort of looking at the energy and just the turnout that happened and the way that changes the district," she said on KRNV-TV.

A record 117,600 voters participated in the Nevada Democrats' caucuses on Jan. 19, about one-third of all the active registered Democrats in the state. The massive turnout surprised party officials who hoped for 10 percent.

"Look at the turnout. Look at the enthusiasm. Look at the interest in the Nevada caucus and the kind of new energy there is," Derby said.