Assemblyman Hettrick considers not running for office again

Nevada Assembly Minority Leader Lynn Hettrick, R-Gardnerville, said Monday he's considering not running for re-election.

The seven-term assemblyman said he hasn't made a final decision about his political future.

But his investment management business is taking up more of his time and he is "not pleased with the direction" of the state Legislature.

Hettrick said he's unhappy that his fellow lawmakers are using the Legislature as a place to launch campaigns for higher office.

He added he's tired of late-session tactics such as "hostage-taking" of bills to negotiate trades for other measures.

In 2003, Hettrick was the leader of the opposition in the Assembly to a record $833 million tax increase.

His group of vocal Republicans supported a smaller amount.

He also was among those who helped fashion the property tax limit plan in the 2005 session.

Hettrick also sponsored a successful bill to require uniform regulations governing assessment of property for taxation.

Hettrick said that even if he does stay in politics, he definitely won't continue to travel several days a month to help raise money for GOP Assembly members.

"If I have to do that, I will quit," he said.

Hettrick, 61, said other GOP Assembly members such as Garn Mabey and Bob Seale, both of Las Vegas, and Heidi Gansert of Reno have expressed interest in taking up the slack.

There are other Assembly members who are expected to bow out as well.

Assembly Speaker Richard Perkins, D-Henderson, is expected to run for governor.

Assemblywoman Sharron Angle, R-Reno, is seeking the GOP nomination for Congress.

Assemblywoman Chris Giunchigliani, D-Las Vegas, is expected to run for the Clark County Commission.

Assemblyman Rod Sherer, R-Pahrump, is quitting the Legislature because of a job transfer to Utah.

He works as a Smith's Food and Drug Stores manager in Pahrump and is being transferred to Salt Lake City.