May 22, 2007 06:53 PM UTC

Gullickson Surfaces in Nevada

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• by: Colorado Pols

Hans Gullickson, the former Executive Director of the Colorado Republican Party, has a new gig. In Nevada.

As The Los Angeles Times reports:

Getting the Republican house in order in time for the caucuses could be crucial in determining whether Nevada becomes a major player in the 2008 Republican nomination battle or a political punch line – and whether Republicans can keep the Democrats at bay in a state that has sided with the winner in every presidential election but one since 1912.

“It does increase the pressure,” Lowden said. “We know that the whole country will be watching. But that’s why we’re doing it – we want to be noticed.”…

…Under the current calendar, Nevada holds its caucuses five days after Iowa – the first contest in the country – and three days before the New Hampshire primaries. Florida recently moved its Republican primary to Jan. 29, adding to the roster of states that vote before Feb. 5, when about 20 states, including California, hold primaries and caucuses.

But Nevada Republicans are already months behind the Democrats in laying the groundwork.

Peter Ernaut, a Republican consultant and fundraiser in charge of finding the $2 million the caucuses are expected to cost, said the party is hiring Hans Gullickson, executive director of the Colorado Republican Party with experience in the Iowa caucuses, as caucus director. [Pols emphasis] The state Democrats hired two Iowa veterans to direct their caucuses.