Bob Cashell

The Las Vegas Sun's David McGrath Schwarz ran a story in Wednesday's paper about Gov. Jim Gibbons (R) and the support -- or lack thereof -- he can expect from his party as he seeks reelection in a few years.

Schwarz's story says Gibbons, whose first term has been wracked with scandal, could face a primary challenge from fellow Republicans as he seeks a second term in 2010.

The piece says Republicans inside and outside of Nevada are seeking viable alternatives to run for the position. 

Clark County Commissioner Bruce Woodbury and Reno Mayor Bob Cashell are two hot names, according to the paper.

With GOP presidential candidates largely ignoring the Nevada presidential caucus on Saturday -- Ron Paul is the only Republican scheduled to be in the state this week -- the contest may offer some evidence as to the value of endorsements in a race that may be wide open. Here's a list of our GOP stakeholders, along with their percentage in the Reno Gazette-Journal poll - which suggests the possibility of a four-way contest on the Republican side: