Gansert will not seek another term in Legislature

Assembly Minority Leader Heidi Gansert said she will not seek another term in the state Legislature.

In a statement Thursday morning Gansert, R-Reno, said she will "take a break" from elective office.

"The reason I ran for office was to serve my community," Gansert said in the statement. "Being a member of the Legislature has been a gratifying personal experience and I'm pleased that I was able to successfully represent my district and my state. However, at this time I've decided to step aside and take a break from elected office."

Gansert, who was voted leader of the Republican Assembly Caucus in 2007, served on the Ways and Means, Commerce and Labor,and Elections committees for the last six years. She was named co-Freshman Legislator of the Year in 2005 and authored over 10 bills that were signed into law

During the recently concluded special session of the Legislature, Gansert took heat from conservative Republicans for not driving a harder line on a Republican proposal to make collective bargaining sessions with government employee unions subject to open meeting law.

Republicans, Gansert included, said collective bargaining reform is crucial to having a fiscally responsible government.

But during private negotiations with legislative leaders, the Republican proposal emerged not as a change in law but as a non-binding resolution.

Contact reporter Benjamin Spillman at bspillman@reviewjournal.com or 702-477-3861.