Sandoval to resign from federal court

Federal judge Brian Sandoval will resign just four years after beginning a lifetime appointment to the U.S. District Court in Nevada. In a brief statement Sandoval didn’t say why he decided to quit, but the move opens the door for him to run for governor next year.

Sandoval has also been mentioned as a potential candidate for U.S. Senate. The judicial resignation takes effect Sept. 15.

[“It has been a privilege and an honor to serve on the federal bench and I thank my fellow judges, my staff and the entire court family for their support,” Sandoval said in a written statement through the court. “I would also like to thank former President Bush and Senators Reid and Ensign for their support and confidence in giving me the opportunity to serve the federal judiciary.”

Sandoval did not return a call for further comment.

Sandoval, of Reno, is considered to be a strong Republican candidate based in large part because of his experience winning statewide office in the past.

He was Nevada attorney general from 2002 to 2005 and was previously the youngest-ever chairman of the Nevada Gaming Commission at age 35.

And even though Sandoval hasn’t announced an intention to run for governor or any other office, the mere possibility excites Republicans.

“His reputation is just impeccable, and in politics that is saying a lot,” said Irma Aguirre, a Las Vegas business owner and Republican activist.

Aguirre, who volunteered for the presidential campaigns of John McCain and former President George W. Bush, says Sandoval would be a candidate Hispanic and non-Hispanic Republicans could support.

“Whenever Brian Sandoval’s name comes up, nothing negative ever seems to surface,” she said.

In addition to his jobs as judge, attorney general and gaming commission chairman, Sandoval served two terms in the Legislature and had a private law practice.

If he were to run for governor, he would contend with Clark County Commissioner Rory Reid, who is running as a Democrat. Reid’s father, Sen. Harry Reid, D-Nev., was instrumental in helping Sandoval land the position as a federal judge.

In a 2004 article in the Review-Journal, when he accepted the recommendation for the federal judicial post, Sandoval said he didn’t mind that a lifetime court appointment would preclude a future political career.

“It was very flattering for people to talk to me about that,” Sandoval said of those who touted him for higher office. “But I don’t wake up every morning thinking about running for different office. How best can I serve the people of the state than with this lifetime opportunity?”

Sandoval would also have to deal with current Republican Gov. Jim Gibbons, who is in his first term and eligible to run for re-election.

But Gibbons has low approval ratings with voters and has been dogged by personal and professional scandals during his term as executive to the extent he could be vulnerable in a Republican primary.

Neither Gibbons nor Commissioner Reid or Sen. Reid had a comment on the decision by Sandoval to step down.

Contact reporter Benjamin Spillman at bspillman@reviewjournal.com or 702-477-3861.