Gov. Jim Gibbons to miss Wolf Pack fundraiser

Gov. Jim Gibbons will miss the annual Governor's Dinner fundraiser for the Nevada Wolf Pack today - the first time a governor has failed to attend the event since it was created more than 30 years ago.

He is out of town and rumored to be headed for Afghanistan with the U.S. military.

"The governor is out of the state and the lieutenant governor has been notified," said Gail Powell, interim press secretary for Gibbons. "At this point, at the request of the Department of Defense, that's all I can share with you."

The governor also will not be attending the National Governor's Association conference in Biloxi, Miss., which begins today.

Lt. Gov. Brian Krolicki confirmed that he is acting governor until Gibbons' scheduled return next Thursday. "I know where he is going, but it is not for me to share," Krolicki added.

If the Republican governor goes to Afghanistan, he'd have a chance to meet with some of the more than 800 Nevada National Guard members stationed there, and be briefed by U.S. military officers. Meetings with home-state troops and briefings are the usual routine for U.S. governors who make such tours.

Besides the guard members in Afghanistan, there's about 150 Nevada National Guard members in Iraq, where Gibbons went in May 2008 on a similar trip.

While in Congress in 2004, Gibbons made another trip to Iraq. In 2006, then-Gov. Kenny Guinn also made a Pentagon-sponsored trip to Iraq. Guinn also made stops in Afghanistan and Kuwait.

Chief of Staff Robin Reedy will reportedly represent the governor at the Wolf Pack fundraiser.

The dinner features the annual presentation of the Jake Lawlor Award to an individual who has shown exemplary support for Nevada athletics as well as a speech by a nationally known sports figure.

This year's speaker is Texas Tech football coach Mike Leach. John Ascuaga will be honored with the Lawlor Award by Senate Minority Leader Bill Raggio, master of ceremonies for the Saturday evening event at the governor's mansion.

The dinner was started in the 1970s by Gov. Mike O'Callaghan and has become a key fundraiser for University of Nevada, Reno athletics.

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