Rural Nevada Lawmaker Goicoechea Retains GOP Assembly Leadership Post
Nevada News Bureau staff
CARSON CITY – Rural Nevada lawmaker Pete Goicoechea was elected as minority leader today by the 16-member Assembly Republican caucus.
Goicoechea, R-Eureka, will continue in the leadership position he assumed when Assemblywoman Heidi Gansert, R-Reno, stepped down. Gansert did not run for re-election to the Assembly. She was named yesterday to Gov.-elect Brian Sandoval’s transition team.
“I am honored to have the support of the Republican caucus as we enter the 2011 legislative session,â€� Goicoechea said. “I’m excited as our members are stepping forward and preparing to lead in the coming months and make a firm stand in the Legislature for small, effective government.
“We look forward to working with Gov.-Elect Sandoval, our colleagues in the Senate, and the Democrats in the Assembly in the coming months,� he said.
Assemblyman Lynn Stewart was elected assistant leader. Assemblymen Mark Sherwood and Tom Grady were elected whips.
Assemblyman John Hambrick, R-Las Vegas, also sought the leadership position.
“I had hoped for another outcome, but Pete is a good man,� Hambrick said. “He is an upfront individual. I am supporting him 100 percent. We will be unified going into session.�
Assembly Republicans picked up two seats in the Tuesday general election, giving them 16 members and enough to take away the two-thirds veto-proof majority held by Democrats in 2009. It was the first gain for the caucus since 2002.
Nine members of the caucus are newly elected.
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