Nevada GOP national committeeman resigning

James Smack, the Republican national committeeman from Fallon, said Tuesday he’s stepping down from the post in mid-February to spend more time with his family

Smack has served as the national committeeman, who is a member of the Republican National Committee, since the 2012 GOP national convention. His term is for four years and he will have served about half of it.

The state GOP Central Committee will vote for a replacement for Smack at its Feb. 15 spring meeting in Fallon.

“I’m resigning mostly because my wife wants more time with me,” Smack said in an interview. “We both also have parents who aren’t getting any younger. I’m still going to be active in the party.”

Smack endorsed Patrick Kerby of Pahrump in Nye County as his replacement. Kerby also has endorsement letters from Nye County political party and government leaders.

Under GOP bylaws, the committeeman and committeewoman cannot be from the same county. The current GOP national committeewoman from Nevada is Diana Orrock of Las Vegas.

Smack said the committeeman’s job was offered to both former Gov. Jim Gibbons and current Lt. Gov. Brian Krolicki, but both Republicans declined.

One other potential replacement is David Espinoza, who ran for the Assembly District 31 seat held by Skip Daly, D-Sparks, in 2012.

Smack said he will attend the Republican National Committee meeting in Washington, D.C., later this month. Nevada is in the midst of competing to host the 2016 Republican National Convention. Smack said Las Vegas has a good chance.

Both Smack and Kerby initially supported former Rep. Ron Paul, R-Texas, for president in 2012.

Review-Journal Capital Bureau reporter Sean Whaley contributed to this report. Contact reporter Laura Myers at lmyers@reviewjournal.com or 702-387-2919. Follow her on Twitter @lmyerslvrj.