Jill Derby Advertisement

TONOPAH -- While five Republican congressional candidates battled it out in the Tuesday primary, Democrat Jill Derby could just relax.

Republicans Sharron Angle, Dawn Gibbons, Richard Allen Gilster II and Dean Heller squared off for the chance to face Derby in the Nov. 7 general election. Independent Daniel Rosen and James C. Kroshus of the Independent American Party, also received a free pass to the general election, without any primary opponents.

Derby has been a Gardnerville resident for 34 years. She describes herself as somewhat retired, working as a consultant for a national organization of trustees and regents. Derby was a member of the Nevada Board of Regents for 18 years, elected to the western Nevada district which includes Washoe, Lyon, Douglas, Storey and Carson City counties.

Derby has a doctorate in cultural anthropology and taught anthropology at Western Nevada Communication and Sierra Nevada Community College.

While not having a Democratic opponent in the primary may be an advantage, the fact that there are five Republicans and no Democrats in the primary indicates the Republican strength in congressional District 2, which includes all of Nevada outside of Las Vegas. There are 48,000 more registered Republicans in the district than Democrats. The seat has never been won by a Democrat since it was created in 1982.

Yet Derby is optimistic at her chances this fall.

"Number one, it's an open seat. Number two, it's an off-cycle election," Derby said during a stopover at the Stage Stop Cafe for lunch last Saturday. "Number three, and the most important part, is Nevadans are very independent when they vote. They split tickets. They voted for Dick Bryan in the Senate, Frankie Sue del Papa for attorney general. She always won in this district."

Derby touted her rural credentials. She lived on a ranch in Lovelock. She said rural residents take some comfort in knowing she has rural roots.

Derby also hopes to capitalize on an anti-incumbent mood.

"People are frustrated. Look at the deficit. Look at the deaths," Derby said. "They're frustrated with so many things.

"As I go around the district on this my third tour, people tell me about health care, gas prices."

U.S. Rep. Jim Gibbons, R-Nev., has been the congressman in District 2 for the last 10 years.

"There's a sense people we elect get disconnected with Nevada values," Derby said.

Middle Americans are being abandoned, she said. "Special interests, the privileged few are doing well, but people in the middle are struggling."

When it comes to gas prices, Derby said the country should look at its energy policy.

"When you look at the energy bill that just passed, you can tell who sat at the table," Derby said, referring to the oil companies. "They got a $14 billion tax giveaway at a time when they're making the most profit ever.

"I'd certainly look to see if there's been gouging in prices we're paying at the pumps," she said.

Derby said the federal government could study the example set by the state of Massachusetts, which implemented a health care plan for all residents. The alternative is paying the emergency bill at the hospital, she said.

Derby said the World Health Organization ranks the United States 34th in terms of access and quality of health care, between Costa Rica and Slovenia.

"We deserve better, this wealthy country," Derby said. "What I run into is people are frustrated with the system. It's not working for them, their values and priorities."

Derby's term on the Nevada Board of Regents trained her for a role in Congress, she said.