Senate Dems to meet on new leader Friday

Outgoing State Senate Minority Leader Dina TitusLAS VEGAS-State Senate Democrats will meet Friday in Las Vegas to discuss selecting a new caucus leader to replace outgoing Nevada Senate Minority Leader Dina Titus. Titus, who last week announced her candidacy for the 3rd Congressional District, has led the Democratic Caucus since 1993.

In the days leading up to the meeting, possible candidates are already working the phones, calling fellow members of the caucus and trying to whip up the needed votes.

"I've had colleagues call me to talk to me," said state Sen. Valerie Wiener Tuesday. Asked who she would support for the leadership role, Wiener said "I have no idea, but I'll see how it unfolds."

"It's important that we be at the table with everyone at the same time, asking and answering or getting answers to the same questions, having a conversation."

Possible candidates include state Sens. Steven Horsford, Maggie Carlton and Michael Schneider.

Horsford, who did not immediately return requests for comment Tuesday, played a large role in filling in for Titus during her 2006 gubernatorial campaign, but is second to the bottom on the list of senate seniority and may be considered too new to take the job.

Carlton said Tuesday that she has "had a few phone calls" with fellow senators, some of whom had urged her to run, but that she "could never guess" how many senators support her for the job.

"We're all too well experienced to show our cards, especially over a phone conversation," said Carlton.

Schneider, who has urged for new leadership during the last three legislative sessions, said that he had not committed to seeking the job himself.

"I haven't called anybody about it. I know that people have been calling around, but I haven't called anyone," said Schneider.

"I've said that we need a new leader and I fully believe that. I would have been happy with Terry Care or any number of people. When you've been in the minority for fifteen years, I think you need a new business plan."

In other Democratic legislative news:

• State Sen. Valerie Wiener held a campaign kick-off Tuesday as she prepares to seek her fourth term in the legislature.

"It is a beginning of a new term, hopefully, and it is kind of a fond farewell, in its own way, to my having kick-offs to run for office, at least the senate for now," said Wiener.

• Assemblymen John Oceguera, Morse Arberry and Bernie Anderson hosted a fundraiser at the Wine Bar in the Rio Tuesday night, which was attended by about fifty people. The suggested contribution for the event was $1,000.