Richard Bryan

Since Nevada's first direct election of a U.S. Senator in 1908, there haven't been too many cases of incumbent senators losing a re-election bid in Nevada -- most resign in the middle of a term, retire or die while in office. But among those who have unseated an incumbent, many went on to lose a future re-election race themselves.

Charles B. Henderson (D) was elected in a special election in 1918, but lost to Tasker L. Oddie (R) in a three-way race in 1920 in which Independent candidate Anne Martin placed third with 18 percent of the vote. Oddie served two terms and was then defeated in 1932 by Patrick A. McCarran (D) by 52.1 to 47.9 percent.

A string of incumbent defeats began in 1958 when Howard W. Cannon (D) unseated U.S. Sen. George W. Malone (R). Cannon served four terms and then narrowly lost a re-election bid to Chic Hecht (R) in 1982 by 50.1 to 47.7 percent. After just one term in office, Richard Bryan (D) defeated Hecht in 1988 by 50 to 46 percent.

Robert List was part of a group of young prosecutors who once played a major role in Nevada politics. List's rise in politics was meteoric: he was 31-years-old when he was elected Ormsby County District Attorney in 1966 (a post Paul Laxalt held in the 1950's), and was elected state Attorney General four years later.

List, at 42, won election as Governor in 1978. He won 82% in the GOP primary, and defeated Democrat Robert Rose (who became Lieutenant Governor when Harry Reid ran against Laxalt for the U.S. Senate in 1974) by a 56%-40% margin.

Delegate Margery Kay Behrens argues against the consent agenda.: Politicker Photo.RENO-Although everyone got in on time and there weren't riots outside the doors, the Nevada Democratic Agenda has already gotten a bit off-track.

Former U.S. Sen. Richard Bryan, leading the convention, has encountered opposition against the consent agenda with rural Democrats arguing for individual voting for national electors instead of the pre-approved elector lists.

Speakers against the agenda included Rabbi Jonathan Freirich from Stateline, who is running for rural delegate.

The floor of the Nevada Democratic Convention at the Sierra Grand Resort in Reno.RENO-The Nevada Democratic Convention has been gaveled to order and business has begun.  The morning's festivities will include former Pres. Bill Clinton speaking on behalf of N.Y. Sen. Hillary Clinton and, reportedly, actor Kal Penn speaking on behalf of Ill. Sen. Barack Obama.

Presidential preference voting will occur this afternoon along with elections of national delegates.

Former U.S. Sen. Richard Bryan has taken the podium as temporary chairman and is regaling the crowd with calls to elect a Democratic president, bring the troops home from Iraq, elect Dina Titus and Jill Derby to congress, give Assembly Speaker Barbara Buckley a veto-proof majority and make Steven Horsford state Senate Majority Leader.

Former U.S. Senator and Governor of Nevada Richard Bryan recalls Charlie Waterman and the inter-party feuds, he says, Waterman usually won.

It will be a busy week for the GOP fundraising machine after filing for office closes next month.

The GOP Senate Caucus has just sent out a 'save the date' e-mail for a May 21 event to be hosted in Reno.  The host committee includes Governor Jim Gibbons and all five former governors, including two Democrats.

Subtle message here:  Raggio is coming back.  

Where does Governor Jim Gibbons stand in the Republican presidential contest? For that matter, neither have to respected Nevadans who served as both Governor and U.S. Senator: Democrat Richard Bryan and Republican Paul Laxalt.

If former Governor Bob List doesn't help Rudy Giuliani much, would Gibbons? Could a Gibbons endorsement help anyone? If it were me, I'd get on someone's ship and use it for all I could, but one has to wonder whether maybe no one wants his help right now.

Robert List, in the news yesterday after endorsing Rudy Giuliani for President, was part of a group of young prosecutors who once played a major role in Nevada politics. List's rise in politics was meteoric: he was 31-years-old when he was elected Ormsby County District Attorney in 1966 (a post Paul Laxalt held in the 1950's), and was elected state Attorney General four years later.