Jim Gibbons (American politician)

Jim Gibbons
28th Governor of Nevada
In office January 1, 2007 – January 3, 2011
Lieutenant	Lorraine Hunt Brian Krolicki
Preceded by	Kenny Guinn
Succeeded by	Brian Sandoval
Member of the U.S. House of Representatives from Nevada's 2nd district
In office January 3, 1997 – December 31, 2006
Preceded by	Barbara Vucanovich
Succeeded by	Dean Heller
Member of the Nevada Assembly
In office November 4, 1992 – November 3, 1994
Preceded by	Bob Kerns
Succeeded by	Brian Sandoval
Constituency	25th district
In office April 16, 1991 – November 3, 1992
Preceded by	Dawn Gibbons
Succeeded by	Richard Perkins
Constituency	23rd district
In office November 9, 1988 – January 17, 1991
Preceded by	David D. Nicholas
Succeeded by	Dawn Gibbons
Constituency	23rd district
Personal details
Born	James Arthur Gibbons (1944-12-16) December 16, 1944 (age 79) Sparks, Nevada, U.S.
Political party	Republican
Spouse	Dawn Snelling ​ ​ (m. 1985; div. 2010)​
Children	1
Education	University of Nevada, Reno (BS, MS) Southwestern University, California (JD)
Military service
Allegiance	United States
Branch/service	United States Air Force
Years of service	1967–1971 1975–1996
Rank	Colonel[1]
Unit	Air National Guard  • Nevada Air National Guard
Battles/wars	Vietnam War Gulf War
Awards	Legion of Merit Distinguished Flying Cross

James Arthur Gibbons (born December 16, 1944) is an American attorney, aviator, geologist, hydrologist and politician who was the 28th Governor of Nevada from 2007 to 2011. A member of the Republican Party, he previously served as the U.S. representative for Nevada's 2nd congressional district from 1997 to 2006.

Following his service in the United States Air Force, Gibbons served as vice commander of the Nevada National Guard from 1990 to 1996. He unsuccessfully ran for governor of Nevada in 1994, losing to incumbent Bob Miller. Two years later he successfully ran for the House of Representatives, where he represented Nevada's 2nd congressional district from 1997 to 2006. Gibbons again ran for governor in 2006, defeating Democratic nominee Dina Titus in the election.

Gibbons' term as governor was dominated by the Great Recession, which hit Nevada particularly hard. In response he cut funding for state services by 5%, but this ended up causing a budget crisis. Nevada experienced an economic slowdown, steep budget cuts, and high taxes during Gibbons's governorship. Afterwards he ranked among the worst governors in the United States. Gibbons attempted to run for reelection in 2010, losing the Republican nomination to federal judge Brian Sandoval, who later won the election.