(Lori Piotrowski) – It’s been rumored for months, but the Las Vegas Review-Journal and the Associated Press are both declaring Nevada Republican Party Chairman Mark Amodei is a candidate for Congressional District 2. This seat, currently held by Dean Heller, will be the prize bestowed on the winner of a lively Republican primary followed by a just-as-lively general election. Sharron Angle and Commander Kirk Lippold have begun their campaigns already; Lt. Gov. Brian Krolicki is still rumored to be a possible candidate. And there is, of course, always the possibility of a dark horse entering the race.
Amodei has done a fine job as NRP Chairman, working to unite the northern and southern factions. (Does anybody see a corollary to the Civil War in how this party has been run in the past? In the “Battle Born” state of all places!) At the semi-annual meeting in Carson City in early April, Amodei was able to bring everyone together as they hammered out rules for the presidential precinct meetings in February 2012.
As these candidates start the glad-handing rounds of politicking, they should keep in mind changes that redistricting might bring. A solid Republican seat may no longer be a given, and they will need to prove their Congressional worthiness to Independent, Nonpartisan, and Democrat voters as well as Republicans. The winning candidate must be able to unite voters from all these factions to keep this seat labeled R.
The race is just beginning to get interesting.
