Pre-election Tea Party Express rally tour to begin in Nevada

The Tea Party Express is initiating another cross-country bus tour and a series of pre-election rallies that will begin Oct. 18 in Reno and includes events in Reno, Elko, Ely and Las Vegas.

The organization that fueled the rise of Republican Senate candidate Sharron Angle through an early endorsement and more than $1 million in advertising announced a 6 p.m. rally in Las Vegas on Oct. 19. Spokesman Levi Russell said the location and speakers are to be determined.

The Tea Party Express is the same group that was behind the "Showdown in Searchlight," the anti-Sen. Harry Reid rally in March in his hometown that began an earlier cross-country tour.

Russell said the latest tour's kickoff was set in Nevada to have an impact during early voting that begins on Oct. 16.

Tea Party favorite Sarah Palin was the draw to the Searchlight event but it is not known whether she will be returning to the state during the upcoming tour or for events on behalf of Angle.

The two-week Tea Party tour will end on Nov. 1 with a rally in Concord, N.H.

Here is the announced itinerary for the Nevada segment of the tour.

Monday, Oct. 18
10 a.m. – Rally in Reno
12:30 p.m. – Tour departs from Reno rally location
5:30 p.m. – Elko rally
*Overnight in Elko*

Tuesday, Oct. 19
9 a.m. – Depart from Elko hotel
Noon – Rally in Ely
1:30 p.m. – Depart Ely
6 p.m. – Rally in Las Vegas
*Overnight in Las Vegas*

Wednesday, Oct. 20
9 a.m. – Depart from Las Vegas
1:30 p.m. – Rally in Barstow, CA
3 p.m. – Depart Barstow
6 p.m. – Rally in Los Angeles
*Overnight in Los Angeles*