Sen. Ratti says she’ll endorse Chris G for governor

By Ray Hagar, Nevada Newsmakers

State Sen. Julia Ratti, D-Sparks, said on Nevada Newsmakers Tuesday that she will support fellow Democrat Chris Giunchigliani in Nevada’s 2018 race for governor.

Giunchigliani, who has not formally announced her intentions, is expected to take on fellow Clark County Commissioner Steve Sisolak in the Democratic primary.

“If Chris Giunchigliani gets into the race, I’m a strong supporter,” Ratti said. “She has done an amazing job as a legislator. I think she has an agenda that I can support so I will be the first in line to say I endorse Chris Giunchigliani.”

Ratti said she looks forward to the primary election campaign and does not like the idea of the party bosses selecting the candidate.

“So if we’ve learned anything from the last political cycle, (it is that) when some of us get in a backroom and decide who the next candidate should be, the voters don’t take very kindly to that,” Ratti said.

“I’m not afraid of primaries,” said Ratti, a former Sparks City councilwoman. “I think primaries are a good thing.”

“We live in a democracy,” Ratti added. “We should not be in a position where our candidates are picked by a small group of insiders. So let the process play out. I think both candidates (Giunchigliani and Sisolak) will have the opportunity to tell the voters what their strengths are. They will have the opportunity for Democrats to take a good look at them. On the Republican side, the same thing will happen. And we will find out who the voters believe who is the best candidate to put forward.”

While the gubernatorial nomination process for Democrats will include a primary, that is probably not the case for lieutenant governor.

Former Washoe Democratic Party Chairman Chip Evans recently dropped from the race shortly after former state Treasurer Kate Marshall said she was going to run as a Democrat.