Traveling Gov. Sandoval in China for trade mission

If this is Monday, Gov. Brian Sandoval must be in China.

Sandoval is in the People's Republic this week on yet another trade mission, this time as president of a national group called the Council of State Governments.

Sandoval, who led a trade mission to Europe in the summer on behalf of Nevada interests, previously visited China in 2012. He will return to Nevada on Oct. 26.

"It's a different type of trade mission," Sandoval said before leaving last week. "I am going to be accompanied by five or six state legislators from across the country."

But Nevada will have some opportunities as well, especially for the Desert Research Institute, the research arm of the Nevada System of Higher Education, he said.

"There is a substantive opportunity there with regard to DRI research on air and water pollution and expanding that," Sandoval said. "I do know I will be meeting with some of my equivalents in China, the governors of respective provinces, and we will be talking about pollution and water."

Sandoval left last week with a delegation that includes Chief Strategy Officer Dale Erquiaga, Director of the Governor's Office of Economic Development Steve Hill, DRI President Stephen Wells, and three additional support staff.

The group is traveling to Xi'an, Nanjiang, Shanghai and Beijing. The mission will build upon existing relationships and explore additional interests with a focus on environmental sciences and tech commercialization.

Since the Nevada governor-led trade mission to China in 2012, the Nevada Governor's Office of Economic Development and many other Nevada institutions have consistently maintained dialogue and interaction with various agencies and organizations in the People's Republic of China.

Two institutions that have had significant dialogue and collaboration with each other are the Desert Research Institute and HoHai University, which is located in Nanjing, Jiangsu Province, China.

— Sean Whaley

Senate GOP endorses Buck

Carrie Buck, a Republican candidate for the Senate District 5 seat in Henderson now held by Democrat Joyce Woodhouse, has been endorsed by the state Senate Republican Caucus.

"Dr. Buck has demonstrated her clear commitment to education and the students of Nevada," said Senate Majority Leader Michael Roberson. "She is energetic and hard-working. She has what it takes to be a leader in Carson City."

Buck has an extensive background in education. She has served as an elementary classroom teacher, an English language learner specialist and adult trainer, an assistant principal and a principal for the Clark County School District.

She has been an advocate for Nevada schools for the past 20 years. In December 2008, she won the prestigious Milken Award.

"Dr. Buck is an inspiring leader who makes a difference in her student's lives," said Sen. Becky Harris, R-Las Vegas. "She works diligently to ensure they have the opportunity to succeed. I have every confidence she will continue to fight for student achievement as a Nevada State Senator."

The 21-member Senate has an 11-10 GOP majority. Both Republicans and Democrats are working to secure a majority in the 2016 general election.

— Sean Whaley

Not feeling sorry for himself

U.S. Senate Minority Leader Harry Reid says a January accident that blinded him in his right eye has affected his depth perception.

"If it's light, I do just fine," the Nevada Democrat said Oct. 12.

His comments came at the 2016 Pregame, a Washington Post event at the MGM that previewed last week's debate for Democratic presidential candidates.

The accident happened when Reid was using an exercise band at his Henderson home and it slipped or broke. Reid's face hit a cabinet in his bathroom, breaking orbital bones and ribs.

Because of the vision change, Reid said it's also easier if he's in a place he's been before. He added he's doing better.

"I'm not feeling sorry for myself," he said.

— Ben Botkin

Silberkraus seeks re-election

Assemblyman Stephen Silberkraus, R-Henderson, in announcing his re-election bid for Assembly District 29, vowed Thursday to protect the "historic" education reforms that Republicans this year passed in the Legislature.

Silberkraus, in a prepared statement, highlighted the state's new education savings accounts, which offer parents about $5,000 in per-pupil funding a year to use at private schools or for home schooling, tutoring and other education services if they pull their children out of public school. The controversial program already faces two legal challenges in state court.

He also mentioned community support for him to run for state Senate but, "instead of facing another tough election battle," said he preferred to spend his time serving on an advisory committee that will study how best to split the Clark County School District into smaller local precincts.

— Neal Norton

Contact Sean Whaley at swhaley@reviewjournal.com or 775-687-3900. Find him on Twitter: @seanw801. Contact Neal Morton at nmorton@reviewjournal.com or 702-383-0279. Find him on Twitter: @nealtmorton. Contact Ben Botkin at bbotkin@reviewjournal.com or 702-387-2904. Find him on Twitter: @BenBotkin1.