Sandoval rejects Democrats’ call for formal application process to replace Ensign

By Anjeanette Damon

Monday, April 25, 2011 | 2:53 p.m.

Gov. Brian Sandoval has two simple criteria for the candidate he’ll appoint to replace U.S. Sen. John Ensign, R-Nev., when he resigns next Tuesday: be ready to work on day one and reflect Ensign’s political ideology.

But don’t expect Sandoval to seek much public input on who best fits those categories.

Sandoval’s senior adviser Dale Erquiaga said today the governor will try to best follow the will of the voters by appointing someone who not only is Republican, but matches Ensign’s “political ideology,” a term he declined to define.

“Sen. Ensign’s politics are fairly clear,” Erquiaga said.

Erquiaga dismissed an effort by Democrats in the Legislature to establish an “open, fair and public process” to select the appointment.

This afternoon, the Assembly passed a resolution that calls on Sandoval to accept applications for the position, make those applications public and to receive public comment on the applications before he decides who to appoint.

Erquiaga said Sandoval will follow “state law and tradition” on making the appointment.

“We appreciate the Senate and the Assembly’s advice, but it is not relevant to the current decision,” he said.

Republicans in the Assembly opposed the resolution, saying the governor has the authority to make an appointment.

The Senate is scheduled to vote on the resolution later this afternoon.

Sandoval is expected to appoint U.S. Rep. Dean Heller, R-Nev., who is the only Republican so far to launch a campaign for the seat. Sandoval endorsed Heller shortly after he launched his campaign.

Erquiaga said Sandoval has spoken with former governors Bob Miller, Bob List and Paul Laxalt for advice on the appointment process. He is expected to announce his choice this week.