Gibbons, Yucca proponent rub elbows

Gov. Jim Gibbon's platonic relationship with Kathy Karrasch quickly turned radioactive last week when photos of the pair posing with South Carolina Gov. Mark Sanford appeared online.

The photographs from the National Governors Association meeting, including one of Karrasch with California Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger, were posted on Karrasch's Facebook page shortly after Gibbons told KLAS-TV, Channel 8 that he did not take her to Washington, D.C. Gibbons later admitted Karrasch accompanied him but said Nevada taxpayers didn't pay for her trip.

KLAS reposted the Facebook photos on its Web site, and various political bloggers have linked to the site.

Gibbons reached a divorce settlement in December after his wife, Dawn, accused him of cheating on her. In 2008, reports revealed Gibbons ripped off 860 text messages to the woman with whom his wife believed he was having an affair. The divorce decree is expected by the end of the month .

Still, the photographs raised questions about the company Gibbons is keeping. Karrasch? Some might argue that it's not appropriate to take arm candy on state business.

But that Sanford guy?

South Carolinians un­successfully sought to impeach Sanford after he carried on a torrid affair with an Argentinian woman last year. Sanford had disappeared from the state capital without telling his staff his whereabouts. His staff told reporters he was hiking on the Appalachian Trail when he actually had abandoned state business and was visiting his mistress in Argentina.

Gibbons and Sanford might have shared something in common there.

But what about Yucca Mountain?

Sanford recently lauded his state for filing a federal lawsuit designed to stop the federal government from taking Yucca Mountain off the table as the U.S. nuclear waste respository.

As far as these photos being published online, Gibbons' spokesman Dan Burns has only this to say: "It's a matter of his private life and he intends to keep in that way."

candidates can file

Candidates running for most state and county offices can file in the next two weeks.

Clark County's nonjudicial candidates can file from today until 5 p.m. March 15. They must pay a $100 fee and apply in person at the Clark County Government Center, 500 S. Grand Central Parkway.

State candidates can apply today until 5 p.m. March 12.

Gubernatorial and state Supreme Court races require $300 to file, and all other state candidates must pay a $200 fee. Candidates must file in person with the Secretary of State. The local office is at 555 E. Washington Ave.

County candidates can call 702-455-2784 or visit www.accessclarkcounty.com/elections. State candidates can call 775-684-5709 or visit http://nvsos.gov.

Reporter Scott Wyland contributed to this report. Contact reporter Adrienne Packer at apacker@reviewjournal.com or 702-387-2904.