From December 21, 2006 Las Vegas Sun:
Nevada Democrat forms group to draft Richardson for president
LAS VEGAS(AP) - A former aide to incoming senate Majority Leader Harry Reid is forming a group to draft New Mexico Gov. Bill Richardson to seek the Democratic presidental nomination in the early caucus state of Nevada.
Reynaldo Martinez, of Incline Village near Lake Tahoe, said he would lead a committee of 70 people to draw Richardson into the process leading to the January 2008 Nevada caucus.
"We call on Gov. Richardson to run for president," said Martinez, who provided a list of supporters he said represented blacks, Hispanics, Asian-Americans, "significant Democratic Party activists" and enviornmentalists. "He has always been good to Nevada."
Martinez said he had not spoken with Richardson, and Richardson was not aware of Martinez' effort until Thursday, said Amanda Cooper, manager of Richardon's successful campaign for re-election last November.
Richarson won't decide until early next year whether to run for president, Cooper said, adding that the Democratic governor welcomed grass roots suport.
Richardson visited Nevada several times to stump for Democratic gubernatorial candidate Dina Titus' failed bid for election in November.
Reid spokesman Jon Summers said Martinez' previous work for Reid should not suggest that Reid, D-Nev., backed Richardson.
"The senator has said several times he won't endorse anyone in the primary because he wants every candidate to come to Nevada on a level playing field, " Summers said.
The Democratic National Committee this year made Nevada the second state to hold a presidental nomination contest, putting it after the Iowa caucus and before the New Hampshire primary.
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From the Americans for Richardson website:
"Nevada will be a lynch-pin in the Democratic Presidential nomination process in 2008 and many Nevadans believe Bill Richardson is the best choice to lead our party", stated "Draft Committee" Chairman Reynaldo Martinez, a resident of Incline Village, and former chief of staff to U.S. Senator Harry Reid. Earlier this year the Democratic National Committee (DNC) designated Nevada to be the second state to hold a nomination contest on January 19, 2008 following Iowa (caucus) January 14 and before New Hampshire (primary) January 22, and South Carolina (primary) January 29. Nevada will be a "caucus" state and the State Democratic Party will sponsor and organize the state-wide event. Martinez added, "Bill Richardson is the Favorite-Son of the West, and the West beginning with Nevada can lead the Democrats to the White House in 2008."
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