Nevada GOP chooses new state leader

Nevada Republicans elected a new party chair Saturday, elevating former state Sen. Sue Lowden to the post as expected at their state Central Committee meeting in Carson City.

"Sue and I served together in the state legislature and we have remained good friends," Gov. Jim Gibbons, who backed Lowden, said in a statement. "She will bring the right leadership, guidance, work ethic and enthusiasm we need as a party to be successful."

The position had been vacant since February, when former Chairman Paul Adams resigned.

The Republicans also finalized the move of their presidential caucus to Jan. 19 at Saturday's meeting, and a staffer has been hired to head the caucus effort, caucus Chairman Pete Ernaut said.

Hans Gullickson, currently the executive director of the Colorado Republican Party, will lead the labor-intensive caucus effort. He started Monday but will remain based in Colorado until late summer, Ernaut said.

Gullickson previously served as executive director of the Iowa Republican Party.