Sandoval says concern for state prompted decision to run for governor

Former U.S. District Judge Brian Sandoval says he's running for governor out of concern for "what's been going on in the state of Nevada."

Sandoval, who on Tuesday served is final day as a federal judge in Reno, will challenge incumbent Gov. Jim Gibbons in the Republican primary, as well as former state Sen. Joe Heck and former North Las Vegas Mayor Mike Montandon.

"The biggest issue I think facing this state is unemployment and getting people back to work," Sandoval said during a 25-minute interview Wednesday morning at the Las Vegas Convention Center.

Sandoval said he opposes raising taxes during a recession and suggested there's room to use budget cuts to balance the state's upside-down budget.

"Raising taxes during a recession is not an option," Sandoval said.

When asked how he would present a balanced budget with no tax increases he said: "I'm going to get to that. This is my first day off the bench and I'm going to start studying the budget. Certainly my core philosophy is you have to have fiscal restraint and we have to look at the budget ... but we certainly can't tax. Essentially we need to work in the middle."