Tarkanian running for Heck’s congressional seat
CARSON CITY — In a letter emailed to his supporters Monday, Danny Tarkanian announced that he will run for Congress in 2016 in Nevada‘s 3rd Congressional District.
"I am running for Congress to be a voice for my community and for all of us who want to renew America‘s greatness," he said in a statement.
Tarkanian joins state Senate Majority Leader Michael Roberson, R-Henderson, as a GOP candidate for the post being vacated by Rep. Joe Heck. Heck, R-Nev., is running for Harry Reid‘s U.S. Senate seat.
No Democrats have yet formally announced a run for the seat.
"I consider the people of Nevada as a part of my family, and I understand what so many in our community are facing," Tarkanian said. "Many have lost their jobs, have homes underwater, or face other financial difficulties. Nothing in life is easy, but Washington shouldn‘t pile on and make it harder to get ahead."
Tarkanian pledged a forward-looking campaign centered on issues and service to community.
"Over the course of this campaign I will listen to 3rd district voters and put forth specific proposals on issues such as tax and spending reform, job creation, energy and health care," he said.
Tarkanian praised Heck‘s representation and pledged his full support for his Senate run.
Tarkanian has run for several offices but never won. His last run was as the Republican nominee for the newly created 4th Congressional District in 2012, where he lost to Democrat Steven Horsford.
In 2010 Tarkanian ran in the crowded GOP primary to challenge Reid‘s Senate re-election bid, but lost in the primary. Tarkanian, 53, also ran for secretary of state in 2006 but lost to Democrat Ross Miller in the general election, and in 2004 he lost in his state Senate bid against incumbent Democrat Mike Schneider.
The 3rd Congressional District consists of Henderson, Boulder City and areas of Clark County south to Laughlin and west to California. The district is considered the stateâs most competitive, with voter registration nearly equally divided between Democrats and Republicans.
Contact Sean Whaley at swhaley@reviewjournal.com or 775-687-3900. Find him on Twitter: @seanw801.
