HomeElectionsWILL SANDOVAL SUPPORT DEMOCRATS IN STATE RACES OVER CONSERVATIVE REPUBLICANS IN THE FALL? Elections, Politics April 29, 2016 As the Civil War within the Nevada Republican Party rages on, an uncertain future lies ahead for the party no matter which side wins the primary battle on June 14, 2016. Conservative insurgents have launched an all-out war against establishment Republican Assemblymen who supported Gov. Sandoval’s new income tax, common core and oppose campus carry. Conservatives were only outnumbered by one vote in the State Assembly in 2015 giving Assemblyman John Hambrick the title of Speaker. Hambrick went on to support Gov. Sandoval’s $1.5 billion new income tax after campaigning the year prior against such a tax. The party faithful felt lied to and said as much in a flurry of county party resolutions, including one in Nye County, excommunicating the Governor and local Assemblyman Oscarson. The real question is, if the insurgent Republicans win enough assembly seats in the June primary to deny Hambrick and the establishment the speakership, what will Gov. Sandoval do? Remember the insurgents have pledged to overturn most of Gov. Sandoval’s agenda. I predict Gov. Sandoval supports the Democrats in the general election under those circumstances in order to defend his agenda. The flip side of this is also true. If the Gov. and his allies retain control over the speakership in the State Assembly in the June primary, the conservatives will never vote for liberal republicans. I can tell you myself, if Jim Merchant loses and all I have is Glenn Trowbridge to vote for in my district; there is no way I will vote for him in the general election. The fact is, Gov. Sandoval has done true damage to the Republican Party by breaking his promises and squandering a once in a lifetime opportunity for Republicans to lead in Nevada. We will see if he sinks to a new low by supporting Democrats rather than Conservative Republicans in the fall. Rob Lauer NEWSMAXTV LAS VEGAS POLITICAL CONTRIBUTOR Please email your comments to: [email protected]
