Assembly majority leader Conklin elected Democratic Caucus chairman

Assembly Majority Leader Marcus Conklin was elected chairman of the Assembly Democratic Caucus on Wednesday.

Conklin, a legislator since 2002, said his job will be to lead Democrats through this year's elections and ensure they have the best candidates running. He said it is his goal to pick up additional Democratic seats in the Assembly, where the party already holds a 26-16 advantage.

Democratic Assembly members meeting in Las Vegas picked him instead of another applicant, Assemblyman William Horne. Both Las Vegans hope to become Assembly speaker for the 2013 session. The speaker will be named by the majority party after November's election.

Being caucus leader should give Conklin an advantage to win that post, but he faces re-election in District 37 where Democrats hold less than a 600-registered voter advantage over Republicans.

Conklin, 42, replaces John Oceguera, the Assembly speaker, who is term-limited and can't seek re-election. Oceguera is running for Congress.

Assembly Republicans plan to choose their new caucus leader next Wednesday in Las Vegas. The candidates are Pat Hickey of Reno and John Hambrick of Las Vegas.

Both men pledge cooperation, regardless of who wins the leadership post.

"I don't see any controversy," Hickey said. "We need to come out like the Democrats did and work together in the election."

Hambrick said he is a "tad bit more conservative" than Hickey, noting he opposes extending $620 million in taxes last year, while Hickey supported it.

But in the end, Hambrick said Republicans "are family. We need to come together has a group."

In the Senate, Democrats previously named Mo Denis of Las Vegas as their caucus leader, and Michael Roberson of Las Vegas is leading the Republican campaign caucus.