Sandoval Opposes Transparent Appointment Process to Fill Senate Seat

Las Vegas, NV – Governor Brian Sandoval today rejected calls for transparency in the process to appoint a replacement for Senator John Ensign.  Contrary to what the Governor’s office told the Las Vegas Review-Journal, there is a tradition in Nevada of having public input in filling appointments in public office.

When State Senator Bill Raggio resigned, the Washoe County Commission, which was empowered to fill the vacancy, took the responsible course of action and made their decision using a public process.

“If that was the right course of action for replacing a member of the State Senate, the voters deserve no less in replacing a member of the US Senate,” said Zach Hudson, Communications Director for the Nevada State Democratic Party.  “There is no reason that Governor Sandoval cannot institute a public process for making this critical decision. Anything less will simply continue the stain on this office being left by its predecessor.”

“The legislative leadership has suggested nothing more than an open and transparent process for selecting who will be appointed as our states US Senator for nearly two years,” Hudson added.  “Yet Governor Sandoval has already refused any public input in the decision, instead making himself kingmaker and denying Nevadans a voice in who will represent them in Washington.”