A Republican candidate for Assembly District 40 said he rejects the idea of being vetted by the Carson City Republican Central Committee, a policy the committee has in its bylaws.
Candidate Jed Block stated earlier this week that he was informed that a "secret Republican Vetting Committee" asked to see him in a closed meeting. He called the committee "a handful of self-promoted political bosses" who would "inform, if not instruct, the so-called rank-and-file how to think, how to vote."
Block faces a June 10 Republican primary runoff with Philip "PK" O'Neill for the seat vacated by Pete Livermore who announced he would not run for re-election. The winner of the June 10 primary will go up against the likely Democratic challenger Dave Cook, who is running unopposed and John Wagner running as an Independent American Party of Nevada candidate.
The committee issued a news release Friday addressing its vetting process. The release states the "primary purpose is to seek out and find candidates who meet the values of the CCRCC and educate the Republican membership as to the qualifications of candidates who wish to be vetted."
All Republican candidates who wish to represent Carson City have been invited to participate in the process at their own convenience, the release states.
Vetting meetings are private between each candidate and the committee for open and free dialogue without campaign rhetoric and as such personal subject matter is held in confidence.
"Subjects generally covered are personal life; resident history; education; work history; what he or she can bring to the job; do they know what the job is; political beliefs; why are they interested in running for the position; what support will be needed from the Party; and can they support the CCRCC Platform," the release states.
To date, the committee has interviewed 20 candidates.
Block said he is against the idea of a vetting process. “The Republican political culture of our Silver State has historically been, and still is, ultimately based on individual effort. A candidate works to achieve the Republican Party nomination on primary election day, period."
"I absolutely reject this approach. It is not the Republican way," said Block.
Go here to read Block's full text of his news release.
Go here for the full Carson City Republican Central Committee news release.