Democrats pick Sam Lieberman chairman of state party

Sam Lieberman won election to a two-year term as chairman of the Nevada Democratic Party at today’s meeting of the state party’s Central Committee.

The vote was 180 for Lieberman, 138 for his challenger Steve Fernlund, according to the party.

Lieberman has served as chair for more than a year. He was elected first vice chair two years ago and moved into the top spot upon the departure of former Chairwoman Jill Derby.

Lieberman is a longtime party activist and donor who ran on a platform of continuing the party’s success in the 2008 elections. Fernlund, who heads the Red Rock Democratic Club, campaigned to give the party’s Executive Board more oversight of financial matters.

In the only other contested race for party office, Jack Mallory was reelected as second vice chairman over Patrick Patin. Daela Gibson ran unopposed for first vice chairwoman.