Gibbons: Sandoval wouldn’t replace Ensign

CARSON CITY -- Gov. Jim Gibbons said Tuesday he would not appoint himself or the Republican seeking his seat, Brian Sandoval, to the U.S. Senate if Sen. John Ensign, R-Nev., resigns.

Gibbons also said he intends to run for re-election even though a Review-Journal poll last week found he would lose 2-to-1 to Sandoval if the Republican gubernatorial primary were held now.

The poll also found that only 14 percent of those surveyed had a favorable view of Gibbons.

"I don't control your poll," Gibbons said. "I don't know what it said. I plan to run."

If Ensign resigns, then Gibbons said he would think about selecting a replacement, but it would not be Sandoval or himself.

Anyone he names could serve only until the end of 2010. The replacement and any other candidates would have to run in the November 2010 election to serve out the last two years of Ensign's term in 2011 and 2012.

If Ensign resigns after the candidate filing period in March, Gibbons still would name a replacement to serve in the Senate for the rest of the year. But the party central committees would select candidates to appear on the November ballot.

So far, Ensign has rejected calls to resign in the wake of his affair with Cindy Hampton, the wife of one of his former top aides, Doug Hampton.

Nonetheless, there has been speculation that if Ensign resigns, Gibbons might want the seat or would appoint Sandoval to clear his way to a victory in the gubernatorial primary.

The New York Times reported last week that Ensign might have used his influence to land Doug Hampton lobbying clients and, in violation of Senate rules, permitted Hampton to lobby him.

Ensign has denied any wrongdoing.

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