While it will again be impossible for the GOP to gain a Republican
majority in the state Assembly next year, the developing conservative
uprising in Nevada – what I’ve been referring to as
“Conservageddon” – could well result in a new (and desperately
needed) conservative majority in the Republican Assembly caucus.
Indeed, Nevada tea party and liberty movement conservatives are
really starting to flex their political muscles and could have a
ginormous impact at the ballot box next year. Here’s an updated
run-down…
The following conservative and conservative-leaning GOP incumbents
are likely to hold onto their seats: Assemblywoman Michele Fiore and
Assemblymen John Ellison, Ira Hansen, James Oscarson, Wes Duncan,
Pete Livermore and John Hambrick.
It also looks like Assemblyman Jim Wheeler has successfully weathered
his recent “macaca” moment and is in position to hold onto his
seat, as well. So that makes eight.
In District 38, moderate Assemblyman Tom Grady is likely to be
replaced by conservative Dr. Robin Titus. That’s nine.
Establishment moderate Assemblyman Randy Kirner has drawn two
conservative opponents – Lisa Krasner and Robb Archie. That could
be ten.
In Clark County, Assemblyman Cresent Hardy is running for Congress,
and word on the street is that moderate Assemblywoman Melissa
Woodbury will not run for re-election. Both are solid GOP seats that
could and should go to solid conservative candidates. That would
make twelve.
In District 22, the most liberal incumbent Republican assemblyman,
Lynn Stewart, will face liberty movement leader Richard Bunce in the
primary. That would make 13.
In District 29, it appears Amy Groves, a solid, pro-business
conservative, will make a strong run in this very competitive swing
district. That could make 14.
In District 31, if conservative Jill Dickman wins her GOP primary
race against Bob Larkin, an establishment GOP tax-lover, she’ll
have an excellent chance to unseat Democrat incumbent Assemblyman
Skip Daly in this Republican-majority district.
That would make 15…a solid conservative bloc which would have the
power to stop any and all efforts to increase taxes, including yet
another extension of those “temporary” sunsets that Gov. Sandoval
loves so much. Remember then-Assemblyman Bob Beers’ “Lean 15”
from 2003?
But here’s the potential coup de grace.
In District 25, moderate establishment Minority Leader Pat Hickey has
now drawn a serious conservative opponent in the primary. If Hickey
goes down in flames to Rick Fineberg, we could end up with a true
conservative opposition leader, as well!
Of course, a lot of things will need to break the GOP’s way in
November (hello, ObamaCare train wreck!) and Republicans will have to
overcome their propensity for never blowing an opportunity to blow an
opportunity. But the opportunities are definitely there for the
taking.
So let it be written; so let it be done.
