Las Vegas Sun

March 29, 2024

Gov. Brian Sandoval ‘just not in Iowa’ for presidential candidate Rick Perry

Brian Sandoval

Brian Sandoval

Rick Perry

Rick Perry

Gov. Brian Sandoval’s hands-off approach to Gov. Rick Perry’s presidential bid is starting to resemble clean-up efforts at Japan's ailing Fukushima nuclear power plant - approach only when absolutely necessary, and then wearing a Hazmat suit.

While Louisiana Gov. Bobby Jindal and other politicos campaigned in Iowa this week alongside the Texas governor, Sandoval, once seen as providing a big boost to Perry's campaign, has steered clear of Iowa, which tonight holds the nation's first presidential caucus.

Perry’s campaign released a list of a its“Perry posse,” which campaigned with him on Monday, including two governors, two congressmen, a Navy Seal and a country singer.

Whether Sandoval wasn’t invited or declined to go isn’t clear.

It just is, Sandoval’s political consultant said.

In a statement, political advisor Mike Slanker wrote: “The Governor is not in Iowa. He supports his friend Governor Perry. Nothing has changed. He is just not in Iowa.”

Slanker did not respond to a request for an interview with Sandoval and the governor’s office referred questions to Slanker.

As for the governor's schedule this week, Sandoval’s Twitter account tweeted aphoto of a cake Sandoval’s staff gave him to mark one year on the job.

Perry, who after leading in the polls early in the fall, asked supporters to stick with him.

"This is Concord. This is Omaha Beach," he told a crowd, according to the Associated Press. "This is going up the hill, realizing that the battle is worthy. This is about sacrifice. Every man and woman has sacrificed your time, your treasure, your reputation.”

In Nevada, Sandoval was seen early on as the big Republican prize in the race. After Sandoval’s early endorsement Perry tanked in debates and then the polls.

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