Lorraine Hunt
Encyclopedia
Lorraine T. Hunt is an American
politician
. She is the former 32nd Lieutenant Governor
of the U.S. State of Nevada
, serving from 1999 to 2007 (as she is term-limited, she may not serve as Lieutenant Governor of Nevada ever again). She is a member of the Republican Party
.
Hunt was elected to the Clark County Commission
in 1994, defeating Democratic
incumbent Karen Hayes.
In 1998 Hunt was elected Lieutenant Governor of Nevada, defeating Democrat Rose McKinney-James. She was re-elected in 2002 by defeating Democratic Clark County commissioner Erin Kenny
.
Hunt was a candidate for the Republican
nomination for the 2006 Nevada gubernatorial election
. She lost the Republican
primary against Congressman Jim Gibbons.
Lt. Governor Hunt is the owner of The Bootlegger Bistro, a nightclub long popular with Las Vegas
locals and showroom performers. Hunt is herself a singer, and often performs at the restaurant. She continued performing while serving as lieutenant governor; in Nevada, the job of lieutenant governor is essentially a part-time post, which allowed Hunt to keep her "night job" while in office.
As lieutenant governor, Hunt focused primarily on tourism
and economic development
related policies. She served as President of the Nevada Senate
, Chairwoman of the State Tourism Commission, Chairwoman of the State Economic Development Commission, and Vice Chairwoman of the Department of Transportation Board of Directors.
Lt. Governor Hunt filed for divorce from her second husband, Blackie, in July 2003; he died on December 30 of that year, before the divorce became final. On February 1, 2006, Las Vegas Review-Journal
columnist
Norm Clarke
reported that Hunt would marry entertainer Dennis Bono; the wedding took place on March 5, 2006.
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
politician
Politician
A politician, political leader, or political figure is an individual who is involved in influencing public policy and decision making...
. She is the former 32nd Lieutenant Governor
Lieutenant governor
A lieutenant governor or lieutenant-governor is a high officer of state, whose precise role and rank vary by jurisdiction, but is often the deputy or lieutenant to or ranking under a governor — a "second-in-command"...
of the U.S. State of Nevada
Nevada
Nevada is a state in the western, mountain west, and southwestern regions of the United States. With an area of and a population of about 2.7 million, it is the 7th-largest and 35th-most populous state. Over two-thirds of Nevada's people live in the Las Vegas metropolitan area, which contains its...
, serving from 1999 to 2007 (as she is term-limited, she may not serve as Lieutenant Governor of Nevada ever again). She is a member of the Republican Party
Republican Party (United States)
The Republican Party is one of the two major contemporary political parties in the United States, along with the Democratic Party. Founded by anti-slavery expansion activists in 1854, it is often called the GOP . The party's platform generally reflects American conservatism in the U.S...
.
Hunt was elected to the Clark County Commission
Clark County Commission (Nevada)
The Clark County Board of County Commissioners is the governmental organization that runs the unincorporated areas of Clark County, Nevada. The commission is considered by many to be the most powerful governmental body in the state of Nevada....
in 1994, defeating Democratic
Democratic Party (United States)
The Democratic Party is one of two major contemporary political parties in the United States, along with the Republican Party. The party's socially liberal and progressive platform is largely considered center-left in the U.S. political spectrum. The party has the lengthiest record of continuous...
incumbent Karen Hayes.
In 1998 Hunt was elected Lieutenant Governor of Nevada, defeating Democrat Rose McKinney-James. She was re-elected in 2002 by defeating Democratic Clark County commissioner Erin Kenny
Erin Kenny
Erin Leigh Callin Kenny is a former Democratic politician from Nevada.Kenny earned her law degree on May 17, 2002, from William S. Boyd School of Law, University of Nevada, Las Vegas...
.
Hunt was a candidate for the Republican
Republican Party (United States)
The Republican Party is one of the two major contemporary political parties in the United States, along with the Democratic Party. Founded by anti-slavery expansion activists in 1854, it is often called the GOP . The party's platform generally reflects American conservatism in the U.S...
nomination for the 2006 Nevada gubernatorial election
Nevada gubernatorial election, 2006
The 2006 Nevada gubernatorial election was held on November 7, 2006. Incumbent Governor Kenny Guinn could not run due to term limits. Republican Congressman Jim Gibbons defeated Democratic State Senator Dina Titus.-Candidates:...
. She lost the Republican
Republican Party (United States)
The Republican Party is one of the two major contemporary political parties in the United States, along with the Democratic Party. Founded by anti-slavery expansion activists in 1854, it is often called the GOP . The party's platform generally reflects American conservatism in the U.S...
primary against Congressman Jim Gibbons.
Lt. Governor Hunt is the owner of The Bootlegger Bistro, a nightclub long popular with Las Vegas
Las Vegas, Nevada
Las Vegas is the most populous city in the U.S. state of Nevada and is also the county seat of Clark County, Nevada. Las Vegas is an internationally renowned major resort city for gambling, shopping, and fine dining. The city bills itself as The Entertainment Capital of the World, and is famous...
locals and showroom performers. Hunt is herself a singer, and often performs at the restaurant. She continued performing while serving as lieutenant governor; in Nevada, the job of lieutenant governor is essentially a part-time post, which allowed Hunt to keep her "night job" while in office.
As lieutenant governor, Hunt focused primarily on tourism
Tourism
Tourism is travel for recreational, leisure or business purposes. The World Tourism Organization defines tourists as people "traveling to and staying in places outside their usual environment for not more than one consecutive year for leisure, business and other purposes".Tourism has become a...
and economic development
Economic development
Economic development generally refers to the sustained, concerted actions of policymakers and communities that promote the standard of living and economic health of a specific area...
related policies. She served as President of the Nevada Senate
Nevada Senate
The Nevada Senate is the upper house of the Nevada Legislature, the state legislature of U.S. state of Nevada. The Senate consists of 21 members from 19 districts, two of which are multimember. Each senator represented approximately 94,700 people as of the 2000 census, although 2006 Census Bureau...
, Chairwoman of the State Tourism Commission, Chairwoman of the State Economic Development Commission, and Vice Chairwoman of the Department of Transportation Board of Directors.
Lt. Governor Hunt filed for divorce from her second husband, Blackie, in July 2003; he died on December 30 of that year, before the divorce became final. On February 1, 2006, Las Vegas Review-Journal
Las Vegas Review-Journal
The Las Vegas Review-Journal is published in Las Vegas, Nevada, United States. It is the largest circulating daily newspaper in Nevada, and one of two daily newspapers in Las Vegas . It is the flagship publication of Stephens Media LLC...
columnist
Columnist
A columnist is a journalist who writes for publication in a series, creating an article that usually offers commentary and opinions. Columns appear in newspapers, magazines and other publications, including blogs....
Norm Clarke
Norm Clarke
Norm Clarke is an American gossip columnist for the Las Vegas Review-Journal in Las Vegas, Nevada. His column, "Vegas Confidential," covers celebrities and near-celebrities and their doings in the bright lights of "Sin City." The column appears almost every day.-Early life:Clarke grew up in...
reported that Hunt would marry entertainer Dennis Bono; the wedding took place on March 5, 2006.