Amodei running for GOP state chairman

State Sen. Mark Amodei of Carson City said Thursday he will run for the chairmanship of the Nevada Republican Party.

The party central committee is scheduled to select its next chairman at a May 15 meeting in Reno.

"I've been mulling it over for the last month and I thought, if you feel strongly about things, you probably shouldn't go home and lock the door," Amodei said. "This is a tough time and Republicans are tough on each other. I think they need a communicator and a healer and somebody who is about teams."

Amodei said the job would be a challenge this election cycle with potential for both major gains and losses.

Amodei, who has served three terms in the Nevada Senate, resigned this week to take an appointment to the Colorado River Commission. He was prohibited by term limits from running again.

He said his plan after leaving the Senate was to go back to work. He said he'll have to do that anyway since the party chairmanship doesn't pay.

As for one of the party chairman's key roles - raising money - he said that won't be an issue.

"I'm not really good at asking for money for me but I don't have any problem asking for money for somebody else," he said.