Brower to replace Raggio in Senate

Greg Brower, a former assemblyman and U.S. attorney, was the unanimous choice Tuesday by the Washoe County Commission to fill the unexpired term of longtime Sen. Bill Raggio.

Brower was one of 12 Republican candidates who sought the appointment to represent Senate District 3 in Washoe County. Com-missioners made the appointment after three hours of public interviews.

He was a top candidate of all four voting commissioners after each was asked to name their top two choices. Barbara Smith Campbell, a former chairwoman of the Nevada Tax Commission, was a top choice of three commissioners, and Dan Reaser, an attorney, was recommended by one.

"I am humbled by this appointment," Brower said moments after the appointment. "There is a lot of very difficult work to do."

The Nevada Legislature convenes Feb. 7, and lawmakers are braced for a contentious session. Both chambers are controlled by Democrats, though they lack the supermajority needed to pass tax increases or override a veto from the governor.

Economists have projected Nevada faces a budget deficit between $1.1 billion and

$3 billion, and Gov. Brian Sandoval has said he will not raise taxes or fees.

Lawmakers also will deal with the politically charged issue of redrawing voting districts.

Raggio, 84, a moderate Republican, retired Jan. 15 after 38 years in the Senate, citing health reasons and slowing mobility. First elected in 1972, Raggio is the longest-serving senator in state history and will likely remain so because of term limits that have since taken effect.

Raggio said Brower was a "wonderful appointment."

"I think he's a reasonable person who will work with others," Raggio said.

In his interview, Brower said "all taxes are the fees we pay for a civilized society."

But he agreed with Sandoval, who has said raising taxes is not an option as Nevada tries to crawl its way out of a deep recession punctuated by the nation's highest joblessness, bankruptcies and foreclosures.

"Now is not the time to increase the tax burdens on Nevadans," Brower said.

With the many issues facing lawmakers, Brower said his previous legislative experience will be valuable.

"There is no time in a legislative session to learn the process and be effective. You have to be effective not just on Day One, but tomorrow," he said.

Brower, 46, is a former assemblyman who served in the 1999 and 2001 sessions. He was kept from a third term with a defeat in 2002 by conservative GOP rival Sharron Angle.

He served two years as U.S. attorney in Nevada, from 2007 to 2009.

Brower and former state Treasurer Patty Cafferata were endorsed by the Washoe County Republican Party.