Las Vegas Sun

March 28, 2024

Largest newspaper in northeast Nevada endorses Harry Reid

Sun Coverage

The largest paper in Nevada’s conservative northeast came out with its Senate endorsement today – for Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid.

With a circulation of 6,500 in a city of about 18,000, the Elko Daily Free Press isn’t used to its editorial page sparking national notoriety.

But Elko is the biggest population center in Nevada’s predominantly rural 2nd District, where Republicans outnumber Democrats by a ratio of about 2 to 1.

The paper’s editorial page usually reflects the spirit of those numbers. But, as the paper’s editorial board reasoned in today’s endorsement, that spirit has no sizzle for Sharron Angle.

In an editorial titled "A Selfish Reason to Vote for Sen. Reid," Free Press board members based their endorsement almost entirely on one, local issue: mining.

“Yes, we know longtime readers of the Free Press will be shocked and dismayed that we are not supporting the conservative candidate in this race,” editorial board members John Pfeifer, Marianne Kobak and Jeffry Mullins – also the paper’s managing editor – wrote. “Throwing out Sen. Harry Reid in the process, however, could cause permanent damage … anyone who makes a living from the mines – directly or indirectly – needs Harry Reid to fight on their side.”

Mining is, and has been, the major industry in northeastern Nevada, and in recent years has become the country’s top producer of gold – the value of which has been steadily climbing through the recession and now hovers around $1,416 per ounce.

In general, miners don’t consider Democrats to be a friend to their industry. For years, Democrats have been trying to enact legislation to reform hard-rock mining that would introduce a number of regulations and charge 8 percent royalties on mining done on public land – changes miners say would cripple the industry.

Except, they say, for Reid – who backs the miners.

“Unless Republicans successfully regain and maintain control of Congress, Reid is the only guarantee Nevada has that anti-mining legislation will not reach the president’s desk,” the editorial read.

The state mining association also came out with an emphatic endorsement of Reid this summer.

While the editorial board expressed long-term support for the Tea Party movement, and spared any words directly attacking Angle, the message was unequivocal in its endorsement of the state’s sitting senior senator.

Elko County – and the state’s rural areas in general – are expected to go for Angle.

It’s not clear whether the paper’s endorsement reflects any potential to swing parts that district -- or other mining areas in the state.

“Our readers are independently minded, and we try to be, too,” Mullins said.

Still, the endorsement is historic – while the paper couldn't complete a full archive search, Reid's campaign said Thursday it doesn’t think he’s been endorsed in the past by the Elko Free Press.

Angle’s campaign couldn't be immediately reached for comment.

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