RENO (AP) - Nevada U.S. Senate candidate John Chachas says he may have lived in New York the last 25 years, but he's no carpetbagger.
The Republican hoping to take on Democratic Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid in November says he was born and raised in Ely and still has strong ties to the place his ancestors settled generations ago.
During an interview on KRNV's "Nevada Newsmakers," the former investment banker says he's pumped $1.5 million of his own money into his campaign that includes 11 other Republicans after one candidate withdrew Wednesday.
Chachas disagrees with remarks by Republican adviser Sig Rogich, who said replacing Reid, the most powerful man in Congress, with a junior senator would be devastating to Nevada.
He says the issue for voters is whether Reid shares their priorities.