McCain Nevada leader chosen

The presidential campaign of Republican John McCain has tapped Lt. Gov. Brian Krolicki to serve as Nevada campaign chairman.

Krolicki said Sunday he was proud to be chosen for the honorary post leading the presumptive GOP nominee's effort in Nevada, a top swing state in the race for the presidency.

"This is going to be quite a summer and fall, and the issues are complex," Krolicki said. "Nevada is certainly one of those states that can go either way. If they think I can add some value in Nevada, I'm thrilled to do so."

Krolicki, 47, was elected to the part-time lieutenant governor's position in 2006 after two terms as state treasurer.

Krolicki acknowledged that the Arizona senator was not his first choice in the Republican primary. In the Jan. 19 caucuses, he supported former Massachusetts Gov. Mitt Romney, who won the state.

"I have known Senator McCain for many years, and I respect him immensely," he said. "I just happened to have a particularly close friendship with Mitt Romney, who was advising and helping on our effort to get the 2018 Winter (Olympic) Games in Reno. But I am delighted to have a second opportunity to support McCain."

Krolicki said he did not agree with McCain's stances on the Yucca Mountain nuclear waste repository and on college sports betting, "but when you look at the totality of how he views government and what he would pursue as president, I wholeheartedly support him," he said.

"I think when you measure John McCain side by side with Barack Obama, there is no question of who I want to be the next president," Krolicki said. "Senator McCain's credentials for being commander in chief are unrivaled in the last 50 years. I agree with his philosophical approach to taxes, much of his energy portfolio, veterans, the Second Amendment and taxes."

With the planned special session of the state Legislature pushed off to the end of the week, Krolicki said he plans to accompany McCain when the Arizona senator visits Las Vegas on Wednesday.

In selecting Krolicki to head the Nevada campaign, the McCain team passed over the state's other Republican constitutional officer, Gov. Jim Gibbons. Krolicki said Gibbons would be part of the campaign effort.

"I'm sure he will have a role. He's the leading Republican in the state," he said. "How he will be utilized will be up to the governor and up to the McCain campaign."

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