Ensign is Out, Heller is In

Earlier this month, Nevada's junior U.S. Senator John Ensign (R) announced that he will not run for re-election in 2012. He said he did not want to put his family through what could be an ugly campaign considering the baggage he has accumulated lately.

U.S. Congressman Dean Heller of Nevada.
Photo © Stan White

Ensign, if you will recall, is yet another big name politician to fall from grace due to an extra-marital affair he confessed to in 2009. Since then, he has become the subject of a U.S. Senate ethics investigation related to other alleged wrongdoing related to the affair. He is being scrutinized for helping Doug Hampton, a former member of his staff, land a lobbying job. Hampton is the husband of Cynthia Hampton, the woman with whom Ensign had an affair.

Those thinking about challenging Ensign in the 2012 primary had been watching to see which way the wind would blow. That question is now settled and the most prominent potential candidate wasted no time announcing that he was entering the race. A week after Ensign bailed out, U.S. Congressman Dean Heller (R-Carson City) announced he will run for the seat. Heller is seen as a strong candidate and not likely to draw any serious Republican opposition. However, a wildcard always lurking about is Sharron Angle, last year's Republican loser in the race with U.S. Senator Harry Reid. So far, no word from her camp about jumping in against Heller. On the Democratic side, U.S. Congresswoman Shelley Berkley of Las Vegas might run against Heller.

Heller's Senate bid will leave his 2nd Congressional District wide open. Perpetual candidate Angle might try again here. More viable Republican possilities being mentioned include Lt. Governor Brian Krolicki and State Senator Greg Brower. Brower was appointed to fill the seat of retired Senator Bill Raggio until the next election. It's going to be an interesting campaign.

Update - Angle is in: Sharron Angle announced on Wednesday, March 16, that she is running in the GOP primary for the seat being vacated by Dean Heller. This will be Angle's 10th campaign and follows loses in her last three runs for public office. Other possible Republican contenders have yet to enter the fray. Democrats who may seek the seat include Jill Derby (lost to Heller in the 2008 election), Assemblywoman Debbie Smith, State Treasurer Kate Marshall, and Reno City Councilwoman Jessica Sferrazza (lost to Krolicki in 2010).

Source: Reno Gazette-Journal.

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