Jim Gibbons (American politician)

Jim Gibbons
28th Governor of Nevada
In office
January 1, 2007 – January 3, 2011
LieutenantLorraine Hunt
Brian Krolicki
Preceded byKenny Guinn
Succeeded byBrian Sandoval
Member of the U.S. House of Representatives
from Nevada's 2nd district
In office
January 3, 1997 – December 31, 2006
Preceded byBarbara Vucanovich
Succeeded byDean Heller
Member of the Nevada Assembly
In office
November 4, 1992 – November 3, 1994
Preceded byBob Kerns
Succeeded byBrian Sandoval
Constituency25th district
In office
April 16, 1991 – November 3, 1992
Preceded byDawn Gibbons
Succeeded byRichard Perkins
Constituency23rd district
In office
November 9, 1988 – January 17, 1991
Preceded byDavid D. Nicholas
Succeeded byDawn Gibbons
Constituency23rd district
Personal details
Born
James Arthur Gibbons

(1944-12-16) December 16, 1944 (age 79)
Sparks, Nevada, U.S.
Political partyRepublican
Spouse
(m. 1985; div. 2010)
Children1
EducationUniversity of Nevada, Reno (BS, MS)
Southwestern University, California (JD)
Military service
Allegiance United States
Branch/service United States Air Force
Years of service1967–1971
1975–1996
Rank Colonel[1]
UnitAir National Guard
 • Nevada Air National Guard
Battles/warsVietnam War
Gulf War
AwardsLegion of Merit
Distinguished Flying Cross

James Arthur Gibbons (born December 16, 1944) is an American attorney, aviator, geologist, hydrologist and politician who was the 28th Governor of Nevada from 2007 to 2011. A member of the Republican Party, he previously served as the U.S. representative for Nevada's 2nd congressional district from 1997 to 2006.

Following his service in the United States Air Force, Gibbons served as vice commander of the Nevada National Guard from 1990 to 1996. He unsuccessfully ran for governor of Nevada in 1994, losing to incumbent Bob Miller. Two years later he successfully ran for the House of Representatives, where he represented Nevada's 2nd congressional district from 1997 to 2006. Gibbons again ran for governor in 2006, defeating Democratic nominee Dina Titus in the election.

Gibbons' term as governor was dominated by the Great Recession, which hit Nevada particularly hard. In response he cut funding for state services by 5%, but this ended up causing a budget crisis. Nevada experienced an economic slowdown, steep budget cuts, and high taxes during Gibbons's governorship. Afterwards he ranked among the worst governors in the United States. Gibbons attempted to run for reelection in 2010, losing the Republican nomination to federal judge Brian Sandoval, who later won the election.

  1. ^ "Gibbons' poll impressive, but timing could cost him". Las Vegas Sun. June 10, 1996. Retrieved August 11, 2011.