The Fresno Bee, CA
January 21, 2010 Thursday 3:35 PM EST

Deukmejian endorses Tarkanian in Nevada Senate race

by Jim Boren

Former California Gov. George Deukmejian today endorsed Republican
Danny Tarkanian in the crowded GOP field in the Nevada Senate race.
The winner of the June Republican primary will face Senate Majority
Leader Harry Reid in the November election.

It’s been a busy week for the former governor. On Monday, Deukmejian
endorsed Insurance Commissioner Steve Poizner in the California
governor’s race. Poizner is facing former eBay (NASDAQ:EBAY) chief
executive Meg Whitman in the Republican primary.

Deukmejian’s support should help Tarkanian raise money in California.
Tarkanian, the son of legendary basketball coach Jerry Tarkanian, has
raised more than $25,000 from the Fresno area, and now will have a
former governor helping him go after political cash across the Golden
State. The prospects of knocking off Reid in Nevada could be enticing
to Republican contributors in California. The election of Republican
Scott Brown in Massachusetts on Tuesday is adding to the GOP’s zeal in
going after incumbent Democrats.

"Danny Tarkanian is poised to become the first Armenian-American
member of the United States Senate, and I am confident that he will
work tirelessly as an advocate for the issues important to all
Americans," Deukmeian said in a statement released by the Tarkanian
campaign.

The GOP race is tight in Nevada. Polls show Tarkanian with a narrow
lead over Sue Lowden, a former Nevada Republican Party chairwoman.
There are several other Republicans in the primary. The polls also
show that Reid is losing support in his home state.

Here’s the text of the news release from the Tarkanian campaign:

Danny Tarkanian’s campaign for United States Senate today announced
the endorsement of former California Governor George Deukmejian.

"I am pleased to announce my endorsement of Danny Tarkanian for the
United States Senate," said Governor Deukmejian. "Danny is both an
entrepreneur and a leading voice in non-profit educational work in his
community. Most importantly Danny Tarkanian is a committed to building
a better future for his state and to helping to shape the policies
critical to America’s future, while remaining true to our core
conservative values and fundamental principles of the Constitution."

"Danny Tarkanian is poised to become the first Armenian-American
member of the United States Senate, and I am confident that he will
work tirelessly as an advocate for the issues important to all
Americans."

"I am deeply grateful for Governor Deukmejian’s support," said Danny
Tarkanian. "I have always said that I want to be a public servant,
rather than a politician, and Governor Deukmejian’s strong leadership
as Governor of California is an example I would be proud to follow."