Roberson angling for Republican leadership job

Less than two months after a senior colleague referred to Sen. Michael Roberson, R-Las Vegas, as "the rookie from Green Valley" the freshman says he's aiming to become the next state Senate majority leader.

Roberson, who just completed his first term in office, was recently appointed chairman of the Nevada Republican Senate Caucus campaign committee.

He says he intends to put Republicans, who held 10 of the Senate's 21 seats in the last session, back in the majority. And then Roberson wants to succeed termed out Sen. Mike McGinness, R-Fallon, as leader.

"If you are asking will I run for caucus leader in November 2012, the answer is yes, I will," Roberson said.

Roberson isn't the only Republican thought to be angling for the job. Sen. Barbara Cegavske, R-Las Vegas, served as assistant minority leader during the recent session and was often more visible than McGinness.

Cegavske did not immediately respond to a call seeking comment on Roberson's statement.

Both Cegavske and Roberson are among the most conservative members of the Senate and each voted against a budget compromise endorsed by Republican Gov. Brian Sandoval and Democratic leaders because it included a postponement of the July 1 expiration date of about $620 million in taxes.

Sandoval agreed to the compromise only after the state Supreme Court issued a ruling May 26 that declared a state swipe of $62 million from the Clark County Clean Water Coalition was unconstitutional. Sandoval, an attorney and former federal judge, interpreted the ruling broadly, saying it put more than $650 million in his original budget at stake, necessitating the inclusion of the expiring taxes.

"I supported the original budget submitted by the governor, before it was added to with money that we didn't have," Roberson said.

McGinness, who supported the tax compromise, said he intends to hold the title of caucus leader until the end of his term in November 2012.

He has no plans to endorse a successor.

"Of the eight people left I think any one of them could do it," McGinness said of the caucus members who will be returning for the 2013 session.