Ensign to speak at GOP Women's Club luncheon meeting

John Ensign, a former Congressman and candidate for Richard Bryan's U.S. Senate seat, will speak Oct. 19 at the Carson City Republican Women's Club luncheon meeting.

Sen. Bryan said he will not seek re-election. To date, Ensign is the only announced candidate seeking the position.

Leaving a successful veterinary practice, Ensign ran for and was elected to Congress in 1994. Re-elected in 1996, he then challenged Harry Reid for his U.S. Senate seat in 1998, losing one of the closest elections in the history of Nevada politics.

During his tenure as a U.S. Congressman, Ensign was credited with being a vital part in the passing of the historic welfare reform program. He was also noted for his efforts to defeat the Nuclear Waste Policy Act in 1997.

A proponent of tax reform, Ensign favors the elimination of the current tax code and has endorsed legislation reforming Internal Revenue Service policies.

Before entering the political scene, Ensign opened and operated the first 24 hour veterinary hospital in Las Vegas. He attended UNLV and earned a degree from Oregon State University before receiving his veterinary medicine degree from Colorado State University in 1985. Ensign and his wife, Darlene, have two sons and a daughter.

The club meets the second Tuesday of each month at the Carson City Nugget, beginning at 11 a.m. A buffet lunch is served at 11:30, followed by the guest speaker's presentation. The cost of lunch is $12 per person.

The public is invited to all meetings, but reservation must be made by calling 246-1405 by Saturday.

What: Carson City Republican Women's Club

When: noon, Tuesday

Where: Carson City Nugget