Former state Sen. Bill Raggio, who led the Republicans for decades in the statehouse and was finally forced from office when a modern breed of aggressive anti-government Republican supplanted more moderate members of his caucus, has died in Sydney while on a trip to Australia. He was 85.
Raggio had been in poor health in recent months; he cited that in 2011 as part of the reason he gave up the state Senate seat he’d held since 1972, serving in 12 special and 19 regular sessions of the Legislature, the longest in Senate history. (Because of term limits, Raggio’s record will never be broken.)
The man whose car permanently bore “State Senator 1″ license plates saw the state, and the Senate, change around him. A moderate Republican, Raggio was legitimately disturbed by a new breed of Republican that sought not just to limit government spending, but to cut away at the essence of government itself. In 2003, as a band of Republicans in the Assembly refused to vote for a tax package even as deadlines loomed, Raggio famously called them “John Birchers.”
In turn, Raggio was accused of being a RINO, for “Republican in Name Only,” because of his support for taxes and state programs, especially the Nevada System of Higher Education. (A bust of Raggio, created by a college program in a mini-scandal, still greets visitors at the Reno-Tahoe International Airport.)
The clearest indication of changing times came in 2008, when ex-Assemblywoman Sharron Angle challenged Raggio for his seat in a Republican primary. Raggio, unused to having to campaign hard in the district he’d held for so long, nonetheless walked precincts and won the race, but not before he was forced to the right, promising one voter that he’d not vote to increase taxes. Raggio broke that promise in the 2009 session, helping the state out of yet another fiscal mess.
In 2011, he faced a challenge to his leadership from state Sen. Mike McGinness, R-Fallon, emboldened by some more conservative elements within the Republican caucus. Among their complaints: Raggio had broken with his party to endorse U.S. Sen. Harry Reid in his 2010 re-election against Angle, whom Raggio clearly disliked. Raggio stepped down as leader and from his perch on the influential Finance Committee, and later resigned from the Legislature altogether, following the coup.
Raggio was the subject of a biography by author Michael Archer titled A Man of His Word.
Nevada political figures praised Raggio today as news of his death spread. Here’s a sampling of their words:
“With the death of Senator Bill Raggio, one of the great lights in the world of Nevada politics has gone out,” said Gov. Brian Sandoval. “Senator Raggio’s career exemplified the very best of public service. His dedication to law and order, higher education, and the fiscal health of this great state spanned literally decades of Nevada history and touched the lives of tens of thousands of Nevadans. Kathleen and I wish to extend our deepest sympathies to the Raggio family in their time of mourning. I have said before that if there was a Mount Rushmore of Nevada politics, Bill Raggio’s image would forever be carved there. The Nevada family has lost a great patriarch; may God rest his soul as we remember all that he meant to our state.”
“I am very saddened to hear my friend, Bill Raggio, has passed away,” said Reid. “I have known Bill for decades, he has been a mentor to me. He always fought for Nevada and his invaluable contributions and service to our state will live on. I want to express my sympathies to his lovely wife, Dale, who has always stood by his side. His important voice will be missed.”
“I am deeply saddened by the death of Bill Raggio. There are no words to describe his dedication to the state of Nevada and I wish to express my deepest condolences and prayers for his wife Dale, and his family. Bill was a true statesman who dedicated his life to making Nevada a better place to live. His legacy will be remembered for generations to come,” said U.S. Senator Dean Heller.
“I was deeply saddened to hear about the death of Senator Bill Raggio, one of Nevada’s most respected public servants,” said state Senate Majority Leader Steven Horsford. “Last year, I was honored to induct Senator Raggio into the Senate Hall of Fame for his unwavering commitment to our state. From his service as a district attorney to becoming one of the longest serving legislators in Nevada history, Senator Raggio always put the people of Nevada first. My heart and prayers go out to his wife Dale, his daughters and the entire Raggio family. Nevada has truly lost one of its finest statesmen.”
“This is the end of an era in Nevada. Bill was an icon of legislative public service and it was a privilege to serve with him in the state senate. My condolences go out to his wife Dale and his two daughters,” said Congressman Mark Amodei, a former state Senate colleague of Raggio’s.
“I was deeply saddened to learn of Bill Raggio’s passing,” said Congresswoman Shelley Berkley. He was nothing short of a giant in Nevada politics and a fierce advocate for the state he loved, especially the north. His dedicated public service has improved the lives of thousands of Nevada families and his tireless work on higher education has left a permanent mark on this state. My thoughts are with his wife, Dale, and the rest of his family during this difficult time. He will be sorely missed.”
The Nevada Senate Republican Caucus said, “Senator Raggio epitomized the term “public servant.” As a district attorney and legislator, Senator Raggio was committed to doing the right thing for the people of Nevada. A dedicated friend, father and husband, Senator Raggio remained true to those he cared about most. He was a tireless advocate for higher education, believing that it was the gateway to a better life for any Nevadan. With so many accomplishments and such universal respect, it’s impossible to do justice and honor to the life of such a man. He has been a friend and mentor to many of our caucus members for many years. He will be missed greatly.
“It was an honor and privilege to serve with Bill Raggio in the Nevada State Legislature,” said Assembly Speaker John Oceguera. “No one has ever loved this state more or had a more passionate desire to make things better for the people who live here. His ability to bring people together to get things done was legendary. Those of us fortunate enough to have served with him learned so much about putting aside our differences to accomplish real, tangible goals for our constituents and our state. At times, he may have been an adversary on a particular issue, but he was always a true leader, a teacher and a friend. My thoughts and prayers are with his family.”
Said Congressman Joe Heck: “This is a sad day for the state of Nevada. Bill Raggio was the consummate statesman and a dedicated public servant. he was a mentor of mine and it was an honor to work under him in the state Senate while he was majority leader. He will truly be missed. Lisa and I extend our most heartfelt condolences to his wife Dale and the rest of the Raggio family.”
Nevada Supreme Court Chief Justice Nancy Saitta said:
Sen. Raggio was always a friend to the Judiciary and often our champion. He clearly understood that a strong Nevada requires a strong and independent Judicial Branch of government. He was not shy about standing for his beliefs and ensuring that government in Nevada was as effective and efficient as it could be.
The Supreme Court could always call on Sen. Raggio to serve on one of our commissions or committees and provide a steady, knowledgeable, and powerful voice. Nevada has lost a great leader and a great Nevadan.
Sen. Raggio was an icon, a consummate statesman and one of the most knowledgeable and pragmatic legislators ever to serve the people of Nevada. His absence from the Legislature with his retirement was keenly felt. His passing on Thursday ends a chapter in Nevada history.
The Supreme Court is saddened by his passing and the justices send their heartfelt condolences to his family.
The Nevada Policy Research Institute, which broke with Raggio over tax policy often, still mourned his passing, albeit without using the honorific “senator.” President Andy Matthews offered this statement:
Nevadans awoke to the news this morning that Bill Raggio, one of the truly great icons of Silver State politics, has died at the age of 85.
Mr. Raggio served 38 years in the Nevada Senate, and it’s difficult to spend that much time in public office without leaving a significant mark. Yet even among long-tenured public servants, his legacy stands out.
There are many, many people in this state who have worked alongside Mr. Raggio and who knew him much better than I did, and so I will leave it to them to offer their reflections on his life and his career. But it’s impossible for anyone involved in state politics or public policy not to feel the magnitude of this loss, and to appreciate what he meant to this state.
Those who have followed NPRI’s work over the years know that we have both agreed and disagreed with Mr. Raggio’s views on various policy issues. But there was never any doubt as to his love for Nevada and his commitment to making it a better place to live. For that, he will always have our respect and our admiration.
May he rest in peace, and may his loved ones find strength and comfort today and in the difficult days to come.
And the Nevada System of Higher Education—always one of Raggio’s pet causes during his tenure—said this, via Jason Geddes, chairman of the board of regents, and Kevin Page, vice chairman:
Like all Nevadans, those of us in the higher education family were shocked and devastated to hear of the death of Senator Bill Raggio. First and foremost, our thoughts and prayers go out to his wife, Dale, his daughters, Leslie and Tracy, his six grandchildren, and one great grandchild.
Much will be said in the coming days and weeks about the lifetime of accomplishments of this giant of a man. However, for those of us in higher education, indeed the whole education community, we pause to thank this man who came from humble immigrant roots and rose to great power, in part by public education. He never forgot the contribution of education to his life. We have lost a member of our family today – indeed, our patriarch and champion. You will be greatly missed, Bill, but we will never forget all that you have done for Nevada and, particularly, for her young men and women who, like you, look to better lives through education.
And the Nevada Republican Party added its voice to the list, with this:
“Today Nevada Republicans across the state mourn the loss of a great leader and the loss of an even greater friend. While it is a sad day for all Nevadans, it is only appropriate to remember the legacy and leadership he left behind for us to follow. A loss of a true icon in Nevada politics will not be forgotten. Bill Raggio holds the title of the longest serving legislator in Nevada’s history and Senator Raggio served the State of Nevada with honor and devotion. Our thoughts and prayers are with the Raggio family, and we offer our condolences in this time of loss. We will miss you.”
Ironically, Raggio warned shortly after his resignation from the Senate that his party needed to change, lest it start to lose elections. “I think the leadership of the Republican Party is a little too radical and has been taken over by what I think is a radical element,” Raggio said in January 2011. “That party has to reshape itself or it won’t win general elections down the road.”
Jan Gilbert, who is retiring as chief lobbyist and Northern Nevada director of the Progressive Leadership Alliance of Nevada, had this to say about Raggio:
Last night Nevada lost one of its true statesmen, Senator William Raggio. Many knew him as a champion for higher education and a “tough on crime” advocate. But PLAN worked with Senator Raggio on many other issues. He championed the rights of disadvantaged people. He knew that Nevada needed to provide essential services, particularly for Disabled individuals. He often voted against many in his party to increase funding for Human Services including raising the grant for Temporary Assistance for Needy Families. And he stood up for increasing revenues at a time when his party was fractured on the issue. Senator Raggio will be remembered by PLAN as someone who spoke out for increased revenues at one of the largest Human Services rallies ever held at the Nevada legislature in 2003. He spoke against those in his party that represented the John Birch Society. He felt that they were destroying the integrity of his party. He was someone who knew the power of compromise and diplomacy.
And Jim Murren, chairman and CEO of MGM Resorts International, said this:
Sen. Raggio was a true public servant who practiced service to community with civility.
He was a champion of Nevada whose indelible imprint for good will be a model for generations to come.
Sen. Raggio sought the common good. He helped foster the state’s quality of life through the promotion of education, health care, research and preservation of our state’s most precious natural resources.
We will miss him greatly, but will always seek to celebrate his spirit.
UPDATE: More coverage of the story in the Reno Gazette-Journal and from the Las Vegas Sun.
Tags: Bill Raggio
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Sad in his passing, sadder still so many use this as a spring board for political gain and finger pointing.
At least Nevadas politicians have stuck together in wishing condolences and fond memories of Bill Raggio.
RIP Senator, I wish you could have had more time to be a private citizen.