Husband plans run for controller, while wife to seek state Senate seat

A husband and wife who grabbed attention for disrupting a 2008 state Board of Education meeting with displays of affection have announced plans to run for political offices this year.

Greg Dagani, who was known as Greg Nance before he resigned from the Board of Education after the 2008 incident, is running as a Republican for state controller, or the chief fiscal officer of Nevada.

His wife, Sharona Dagani, said she will run as a Democrat against state Sen. Dennis Nolan, R-Las Vegas, in District 9.

Both Daganis cited legal victories against Sharona Dagani's mother, Joan Albstein, as part of their motivation for running, although Albstein has filed an appeal with the Nevada Supreme Court. Albstein has asked for a court-appointed guardian for her daughter, a 22-year-old with cerebral palsy and partial quadriplegia. Sharona Dagani has a trust fund estimated at $2 million.

Albstein's lawyer, Scott Cantor, has argued that Greg Dagani is an "undue influence" over Sharona Dagani. The Daganis' attorneys, Rob Graham and Katie Woods, maintain that Nevada law prevents a spouse from being regarded as an "undue influence."

Sharona Dagani said the courtroom battle has made her a tougher person. As a Senate candidate, she said her main issues are "health care for all Nevadans" and workers' rights.

Her husband said he wants to reform the state controller's office with an "open door policy" to welcome customers' criticism and with financial forms easy enough for the public to understand.