Gibbons: Sandoval wouldn't replace Ensign

http://www.lvrj.com/news/gibbons-sandoval-wouldnt-replace-ensign-64197872.html

CARSON CITY -- Gov. Jim Gibbons said Tuesday he would not appoint himself or the Republican seeking his seat, Brian Sandoval, to the U.S. Senate if Sen. John Ensign, R-Nev., resigns.

Gibbons also said he intends to run for re-election even though a Review-Journal poll last week found he would lose 2-to-1 to Sandoval if the Republican gubernatorial primary were held now.

The poll also found that only 14 percent of those surveyed had a favorable view of Gibbons.

"I don't control your poll," Gibbons said. "I don't know what it said. I plan to run."

If Ensign resigns, then Gibbons said he would think about selecting a replacement, but it would not be Sandoval or himself.

Anyone he names could serve only until the end of 2010. The replacement and any other candidates would have to run in the November 2010 election to serve out the last two years of Ensign's term in 2011 and 2012.

If Ensign resigns after the candidate filing period in March, Gibbons still would name a replacement to serve in the Senate for the rest of the year. But the party central committees would select candidates to appear on the November ballot.