Reno mayor won't seek Raggio seat

Reno Mayor Bob Cashell said Thursday that despite being asked by several people, he will not seek appointment to the Nevada Senate seat being vacated by Republican Bill Raggio.

"After reviewing this unexpected situation with my wife Nancy and several trusted friends and advisers, I have decided that I can continue to do the most good for our community as the mayor of Reno and, therefore, I intend to stay right where I am," he said in a statement.

Cashell said that, since Raggio's announcement, he has been contacted by several people asking if he would consider taking the job.

He said he will instead look forward to working with whoever the Washoe County Commission appoints to fill out the final two years of Raggio's 10th term in office.

Raggio surprised nearly every Nevadan on Wednesday when he announced he will leave the post Jan. 15 because of health problems. He has recently had back surgery and is trying to recover from a torn Achilles tendon.

Cashell, a Republican, recently won election to his third term as mayor of Reno. He is termed out in four years.

"I am grateful for the trust the voters have placed in me as I work toward completing my third term as mayor of Reno," he said.

Cashell, a longtime Nevada casino owner and businessman, has experience in the Nevada Legislature. He was lieutenant governor for one term in the early 1980s and presided over the Nevada Senate as president.

Calls to Sharron Angle to ask whether she would seek the appointment were not returned. Angle lost a tough primary fight against Raggio in 2008 for the Senate District 3 seat.

The seat represents west Reno, parts of the north valley and the Verdi area.

Raggio retires having served longer in the Nevada senate than anyone in state history - 38 years.