Ken Haskins heads local Republicans

Former mayoral candidate Ken Haskins says he wants to recruit new members and fresh ideas as the new chairman of the Carson City Republican Central Committee.

Haskins, pastor of First Christian Church, replaces real estate agent Howard Tooley.

Bob Crowell won 58 percent of the vote to beat Haskins in the 2008 general election for Carson City mayor. Haskins ran on a platform of fiscal responsibility and listening to the public.

All elected city seats are nonpartisan, but Haskins won the support of the Republican committee. He got $2,775 in campaign contributions from groups within the committee.

Haskins, known as the "Rockin' Rev" for his years as a radio host, said the committee will get involved with issues if needed, but he wants to focus on bringing "new blood" to the party.

The committee has about 60 active members. Haskins will serve a two-year term and was elected in January. Joe Di Lonardo, a former chairman, was elected chairman emeritus.

Tooley said the Republican Party is recovering from defeats in the election, but Haskins will help bring it back.

"Ken is a good person and he's going to do a very good job there," Tooley said.

The party needs to get back to "the basics of conservatism," he said. This means lower taxes and less government involvement, he said.

Karen McEntire was elected chairwoman of the Carson City Democratic Central Committee in February.

She said she hopes to help the party "maintain the momentum" it picked up in 2008.

McEntire, an accountant, said she wants to help prepare the party for the 2010 election. The census that year will make the year even more important for Democrats.

McEntire replaces Steve Platt.

- Contact reporter Dave Frank at dfrank@nevadaappeal.com or 881-1212.