Brian Sandoval made it official this week, trading the safety of a lifetime judicial appointment for a rare primary challenge to fellow Republican Gov. Jim Gibbons.
But he refused to directly criticize Gibbons, whose poll numbers have nearly hit single digits this summer.
"My getting into this race has nothing to do with him," he said Wednesday. "It has to do with me."
He also denied being recruited to run.
At the same time, he admitted he's taking a risk giving up a federal judgeship for a partisan campaign with no guarantees.
"It's something I went back and forth on. I was concerned about the way things were going in this state politically and economically. I decided it had reached a point where it wasn't working. I decided it was time to act on my worries and concerns."
Sandoval, 46, cited his experience as a Nevada assemblyman, chairman of the Nevada Gaming Commission, attorney general and most recently U.S. district judge.
"I have served in all three branches of government," he said.
He also rejected rumors that, once he announced his planned resignation as a judge, the GOP tried to recruit him to run against Sen. Harry Reid instead of the governor. He said no such suggestion was made but that he wouldn't have done so anyway because he doesn't want to raise his children in Washington, D.C.
In addition, he said, "Governor is the best place to make a positive difference for the people of the state of Nevada."
Sandoval offered little detail on how he would handle the state budget or what changes he would propose to better stabilize state revenue streams.
"I'm one day removed from the bench," he said, adding that he will be studying the budget and looking for ideas on revenues as he moves forward.
On revenues, he said he would wait for the results of the legislative tax study.
"I'll wait and see the outcome of that but, typically, those reports turn out to be recommendations for new taxes and, in this environment, we just cannot raise taxes," he said. "That's not an option."
While he said he won't be signing a no tax pledge, Sandoval added that, "raising taxes when people are losing their jobs and small businesses are struggling and people are looking for work is something we can't do."
"These are tough times," he said. "Everyone in Nevada is having to do more with less and government should do the same."
Sandoval is the third Republican to announce a challenge to Gibbons, who has said repeatedly he will seek a second term. Former State Senator Joe Heck and former North Las Vegas Mayor Mike Montanden have already begun campaigns. Both said Sandoval's entry won't convince them to withdraw.
Only one Democrat has entered the race, Clark County Commissioner Rory Reid.
