GOP’s Giuliani garners Nevadans’ support

The Republican presidential campaign of former New York Mayor Rudy Giuliani announced several new Nevada endorsements on Friday, including former Lt. Gov. Lorraine Hunt and state Sen. Randolph Townsend, R-Reno.

Giuliani, the front-runner for the Republican nomination in national polls, has barely campaigned in Nevada, but has collected the most impressive roster of endorsements from Republican officials in the state, notably Rep. Jon Porter and Senate Majority Leader Bill Raggio, R-Reno.

Hunt, a Las Vegas restaurateur, developer and lounge singer, was a Clark County commissioner before her two terms as lieutenant governor under former Gov. Kenny Guinn. Guinn, for his part, has endorsed former Massachusetts Gov. Mitt Romney for president.

Townsend, a businessman, has served in the Senate since 1983, initially as a Democrat. As chair of the powerful Commerce and Labor Committee, he is considered Raggio's right-hand man in the Legislature.

Also endorsing Giuliani on Friday were Assemblymen Pete Goicoechea, R-Eureka, and Tom Grady, R-Yerington. Both men represent multiple rural counties and both were first elected in 2003.

Giuliani visited Nevada on Sept. 27 for a private fundraiser, but did not hold any campaign events that were open to the public or the media.

Contact reporter Molly Ball at mball@reviewjournal.com or (702) 387-2919.