Chris Morris / Las Vegas Sun

By David McGrath Schwartz

Wed, May 14, 2008 (2 a.m.)

When asked in the past about a possible run for governor, Las Vegas Mayor Oscar Goodman typically said he was the happiest mayor in America — his way of saying no to Carson City.

He still may be the country’s happiest mayor, but Goodman now is making it clear he’s not at all happy with the state’s current leadership.

“I’m not saying ‘no’ anymore,” Goodman said about a potential race for the state’s top elective post. “I’m very unhappy with the direction things are going.”

Goodman, a Democrat, said he has not made up his mind whether to run for governor in 2010, saying he plans to first look at other potential candidates who come forward to challenge Gov. Jim Gibbons.

“Hopefully, people will step up” to run for governor, Goodman said. “Hopefully, people who agree with my philosophy that they want the state to be the best of everything.”

Goodman did not specify who else he would like to see run for governor. But Jim Ferrence, Goodman’s political consultant, said the mayor would not run against Assembly Speaker Barbara Buckley, the most frequently mentioned Democratic possibility for 2010.

“If it turns out the speaker is definitely running, the mayor will not run,” Ferrence said.

Goodman flirted with a run for governor in 2006, openly questioning whether either Henderson Mayor Jim Gibson or state Sen. Dina Titus could beat Gibbons. (Goodman endorsed Titus after the Democratic primary.)

What’s different now is that Goodman’s wife, Carolyn, is onboard.

“In the past she has said no,” Goodman said. “She hasn’t said no now.”

Though Gibbons isn’t up for reelection until 2010, his first 16 months in office have been marred by gaffes and missteps. His pending divorce from first lady Dawn Gibbons also has some allies wondering whether he will seek reelection.

Put simply, opponents smell blood.

“All this is predicated on Gov. Gibbons’ being unelectable, but he’s well on his way,” Ferrence said.

Jim Denton, a political consultant for Gibbons, said the governor is focused on the state’s issues, from the hepatitis C crisis to the budget crisis, not on 2010. But Gibbons plans to seek reelection, Denton said.

“He’s given me every indication he’ll run for reelection,” Denton said. “Two and a half years is a lifetime in politics. I expect that a lot of people will express interest in running, as they have in the past.”

Buckley did not return calls for comment.

Other Democratic names mentioned as possibilities include Attorney General Catherine Cortez Masto and Secretary of State Ross Miller.

In an interview with the Sun last month, Cortez Masto said: “I honestly think it’s too early and wouldn’t be fair to the people who elected me if I was out there saying I want to be governor. It’s not something I have any intention of doing right now.”

Similarly, Miller said Tuesday: “It’s premature to even talk about it.”

Some Republicans also are reportedly considering runs, including Rep. Dean Heller and former Metro Sheriff Bill Young.

When asked whether he is interested in running for governor, Young, currently vice president of security and surveillance for Station Casinos, said: “Not in 2010, I don’t think.”

“The thought crossed my mind. But I enjoy working for these guys so much,” he added, referring to his bosses, the Fertitta brothers. “I think I’d be shortchanging myself.”

But Young said he would be interested in getting back into politics someday.

In an e-mail, Heller’s spokesman said: “Congressman Heller is focused on representing his constituents and passing legislation that’s important to the Second Congressional District. His goal is to build upon the successes of his first term and establish seniority in Congress to better serve the State of Nevada.”

The word “no,” however, does not appear in that statement.