Sandoval, Hutchison discussed run beforehand

Gov. Brian Sandoval said Tuesday he and state Sen. Mark Hutchison, R-Las Vegas, talked before Hutchison announced plans to run for lieutenant governor.

Sandoval followed that announcement almost immediately with a glowing endorsement of Hutchison, saying he looked forward to campaigning with him.

He repeated Tuesday that he plans to run for re-election in 2014.

“I’ll be finishing this four-year term and seeking another four years after that,” he told the news meeting following Tuesday’s Board of Examiners meeting.

He sidestepped a question about whether he would serve the entire four years of a second term.

Sandoval conceded that the endorsement gives Hutchison a leg up in the race, which is expected to attract several contenders from both major parties.

“He had a fabulous legislative session,” Sandoval said. “He would be an extremely strong candidate.”

Current Lt. Gov. Brian Krolicki can’t run again because of term limits.

Asked about the upcoming appointment of a new state superintendent, Sandoval said he’ll have to wait until he sees the three finalists for the post.

Among the nine seeking the job are interim superintendent Rorie Fitzpatrick, who guided the department through the 2013 session after James Guthrie was ousted, and former Sandoval senior adviser and longtime friend Dale Erquiaga. Erquiaga can seek the position because the requirements were changed by the 2013 Legislature, removing the mandate that the superintendent have a master’s degree.