Lieutenant governor is a coveted job as Nevada filing week begins

State Sen. Mark Hutchinson, R-Las Vegas, filed to run for lieutenant governor Monday, saying he still opposes piping water frokm eastern Nevada to Las Vegas.

But he said he doesn’t recommend that the state give up its appeal to allow the water to be shipped south.

His primary opponent, former state Sen. Sue Lowden, has not yet said when she will file, but Democratic Assemblywoman Lucy Flores announced she will file Tuesday in Carson City.

The office is drawing much more attention than usual this election cycle because of the widespread belief that Gov. Brian Sandoval will win re-election but run midterm against U.S. Sen. Harry Reid in 2016.

Hutchison said his focus will be to try to stop the “out of control” federal government from infringing on states’ rights.

Controller Kim Wallin was the first to file Monday morning as the Secretary of State’s Office opened for business. Wallin, a Democrat, is running for secretary of state. Republican ex-state Sen. Barbara Cegavske of Las Vegas also filed for that office, as did Independent American Michael Little of Las Vegas.

Las Vegas Republican Adam Laxalt filed for attorney general. Outgoing Secretary of State Ross Miller, a Democrat, is seeking that office as well.

Gardnerville Democrat Brian Dempsey filed to challenge Republican Rep. Mark Amodei, who is expected to file this week, in District 2.

District 4 incumbent Steven Horsford, a Democrat, hasn’t announced when he will file. He has opposition in the form of Mesquite Republican Assemblyman Cresent Hardy.

Assembly District 40, vacated by the retiring Pete Livermore, drew two candidates Monday: state Board of Education member Dave Cook, a Democrat, and Independent American John Wagner.

Embattled Douglas County Assemblyman Jim Wheeler, a Republican, drew ex-Gov. Jim Gibbons’ chief of staff, Robin Reedy, as a primary opponent in District 39.

James Settelmeyer, the Republican state senator representing Douglas and part of Lyon counties, filed for his second term in that house.

Elko’s John Ellison, Republican, filed for a third term in the state Assembly.

Andrew Martin of Las Vegas filed for the vacated controller’s office, as did Republican Barry Herr of Las Vegas.

Two Republicans filed Monday to challenge Sandoval: perennial candidate Eddie Hamilton and political Thomas Tighe of Las Vegas.

Democrat Stephen Frye of Las Vegas is the first Democrat to file for the office of governor.