Gibson files for governor

Henderson Mayor Jim Gibson on Friday filed as a Democrat in a bid for Nevada governor, saying his goal is to "bring a first-class quality of life to every Nevadan."

He filed his paperwork at the secretary of state's office in Las Vegas on his 58th birthday, at the end of the first week for which candidates may officially declare their intentions in Nevada. Filing continues through next week, closing at 5 p.m. Friday.

"We are going to fix our educational system, expand access to affordable health care, strengthen our public safety and bring the kind of real results I have a proven track record of accomplishing to all of Nevada," he said.

Republican Dawn Gibbons, a former Assembly member, filed her paperwork to run for the congressional seat being vacated by her husband, Jim Gibbons, at the Carson City secretary of state's office.

She defended her vote at the end of the 2003 Legislature to approve tax increases paying for the state budget saying, "I did the right thing for Nevada."

She said funding for public schools was being held hostage to pay for the tax increase supporting the rest of state government. She said she voted for the package to protect the schools but has since worked for an amendment that will require education be funded first so school budgets can never again be held hostage.

On national issues, she called for stronger efforts to protect the U.S. border from illegal immigrants - especially drug traffickers. But, she said, the drug problem is the real issue.

"We talk about there are 12 million illegals here. Well, there are 12 million people who've tried methamphetamine. That's the real war in this country - a chemical war on our own turf."

She said she supports staying in Iraq until the people and the government there can protect themselves.

State Treasurer Brian Krolicki filed as a Republican seeking the lieutenant governor's office. He said with the economy strong, tourism is growing tremendously and too many people have taken their eyes off the other part of the equation - economic development. Krolicki said he would bring his financial skills to the task of helping economic development in Nevada. He said there are great opportunities in "high-tech, bio-tech, nano-tech and alternative energy-tech."

"There needs to be a concerted, focused effort to pursue those types of opportunities."

Krolicki also said the state should protect the Millennium Scholarship program, which he has managed as treasurer since its creation. He said that program is vital to the state's future because companies moving to Nevada need skilled employees with quality college educations.

Two Gardnerville residents filed for the Assembly seat being vacated by Minority Leader Lynn Hettrick. Joetta Brown is a Democrat seeking to break the long drought that party has had in Douglas County. No Democrat has been elected there in more than 70 years.

Former county commissioner Barbara Smallwood filed as a Republican for the District 39 seat.

Ed Goedhart, of Amargosa, filed as a Republican in Assembly District 36. Goedhart, 43, said water issues are his focus because of the attempts to restrict water rights held by individuals in rural Nevada. He manages a dairy and owns a 100-acre alfalfa farm.

• Contact reporter Geoff Dornan at gdornan@nevadaappeal.com or 687-8750.