CARSON CITY, Nev. -- Governor Brian Sandoval has selected Congressman Dean Heller to fill the Senate seat vacated by John Ensign. Ensign will resign from the Senate on May 3rd.
It was no big surprise that Sandoval picked Heller. The congressman had already announced he would run for the seat outright next year.
Heller released a statement saying, "Serving in the United States Senate will provide Nevada a stronger voice and greater opportunities to influence the policies that matter most to our great state."
Sandoval says he picked Heller because, "just as Senator John Ensign fought for state's rights and sound economic policies, Dean will speak out for the concerns of every day Nevadans."
Local Republican Party officials are not yet taking a stand on the best way to fill Heller's empty House seat.
"There's a lot of options. We're not right now going to take a position to say that one or the other is what's preferable," said Ed Facey with the Clark County Republican Party.
Secretary of State Ross Miller must now decide how to run a special election to fill Heller's House seat. His office says they are consulting with Nevada's Attorney General and will "make a statement in a few days." They could either decide to let political parties pick their nominees or make it a free for all with several potential candidates.
Three Republicans have already declared they're running for the district: former Senate candidate Sharron Angle, Nevada State Senator Greg Brower and retired Navy Captain Kirk Lippold. Party chairman Mark Amodei and Lieutenant Governor Brian Krolicki are also possible candidates.
Heller has been in the U.S. House of Representatives for four years. Prior to serving in Congress, he was a Nevada state lawmaker and Nevada Secretary of State. He will take office once Ensign's resignation becomes effective next Tuesday.
