Nevada GOP Senate hopeful Gansert attracts primary challenge

AP Photo/Cathleen Allison

Chief of Staff Heidi Gansert looks on as Gov. Brian Sandoval signs several executive orders immediately following Monday’s inauguration, Jan. 3, 2011 at the Capitol in Carson City.

Associated Press

Thursday, Oct. 15, 2015 | 5:55 p.m.

CARSON CITY — A Republican former state assemblywoman who's seeking a Reno Senate seat has attracted a primary challenger from the right.

Republican small businessman Eugene Hoover announced Thursday that he will seek the Senate District 15 seat being vacated by Republican Greg Brower.

Hoover is chairman of the Nevada political action committee for the National Federation of Independent Business. He testified before lawmakers this spring against a $1.1 billion tax package backed by Gov. Brian Sandoval, and said he'd fight to repeal the new commerce tax.

Senate Republican leaders have already endorsed Heidi Gansert for the seat. She is Sandoval's former chief of staff.

The Reno Gazette-Journal reported last month that Gansert didn't say which way she would have voted on the taxes, but called the investments "critical for Nevada, moving forward."