View source for Brian Sandoval

{{Short description|Governor of Nevada from 2011 to 2019}}
{{Use mdy dates|date=January 2016}}
{{Infobox officeholder
| name                = Brian Sandoval
| image               = Brian Sandoval 2010.jpg
| caption             = 
| alt                 = 
| order               = 17th President of the [[University of Nevada, Reno]]
| term_start          = October 5, 2020
| term_end            = 
| predecessor         = [[Marc Johnson (academic)|Marc Johnson]]
| successor           = 
| order1              = 29th [[List of governors of Nevada|Governor of Nevada]]
| lieutenant1         = [[Brian Krolicki]]<br>[[Mark Hutchison]]
| term_start1         = January 3, 2011
| term_end1           = January 7, 2019
| predecessor1        = [[Jim Gibbons (American politician)|Jim Gibbons]]
| successor1          = [[Steve Sisolak]]
| office2             = Chair of the [[National Governors Association]]
| deputy2             = Steve Bullock
| term_start2         = July 16, 2017
| term_end2           = July 21, 2018
| predecessor2        = [[Terry McAuliffe]]
| successor2          = [[Steve Bullock (American politician)|Steve Bullock]]
| office3             = Judge of the [[United States District Court for the District of Nevada]]
| appointer3          = [[George W. Bush]]
| term_start3         = October 26, 2005
| term_end3           = September 15, 2009
| predecessor3        = [[Howard D. McKibben]]
| successor3          = [[Gloria Navarro]]
| office4             = 30th [[Nevada Attorney General|Attorney General of Nevada]]
| governor4           = [[Kenny Guinn]]
| term_start4         = January 6, 2003
| term_end4           = October 26, 2005
| predecessor4        = [[Frankie Sue Del Papa]]
| successor4          = [[George Chanos]]
| office5             = Chair of the [[Nevada Gaming Commission]]
| appointer5          = Kenny Guinn
| term_start5         = April 28, 1999
| term_end5           = August 1, 2001
| predecessor5        = Bill Curran
| successor5          = Peter Bernhard
| office6             = Member of the [[Nevada Gaming Commission]]
| appointer6          = [[Bob Miller (Nevada governor)|Bob Miller]]
| term_start6         = April 18, 1998
| term_end6           = August 1, 2001
| predecessor6        = Deborah Griffin
| successor6          = Peter Bernhard
| state_assembly7     = Nevada
| district7           = 25th
| term_start7         = November 9, 1994
| term_end7           = April 18, 1998
| predecessor7        = Jim Gibbons
| successor7          = [[Dawn Gibbons]]
| birth_name          = Brian Edward Sandoval
| birth_date          = {{birth date and age|1963|8|5}}
| birth_place         = [[Redding, California]], U.S.
| death_date          = 
| death_place         = 
| party               = [[Republican Party (United States)|Republican]]
| spouse              = {{plainlist|
* {{Marriage|Kathleen Teipner|1990|2018|end=div}}
* {{Marriage|Lauralyn McCarthy|2018}}
}}
| children            = 3 (with Teipner)
| education           = [[University of Nevada, Reno]] ([[Bachelor of Arts|BA]])<br>[[Ohio State University]] ([[Juris Doctor|JD]])
| signature           = Brian Sandoval Sig.svg
| website             = 
}}
'''Brian Edward Sandoval''' ({{IPAc-en|ˈ|s|æ|n|d|ə|ˌ|v|ɔː|l|}} {{respell|SAN|də|vawl}}; born August 5, 1963) is an American politician, academic administrator, and former [[federal judge]] who served as the [[List of governors of Nevada|29th Governor of Nevada]] from 2011 to 2019.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://renotahoe.about.com/od/topnewsstories/ss/Top-Reno-News-Stories-For-2011_2.htm |title=Brian Sandoval Becomes Nevada's 29th Governor |publisher=Renotahoe.about.com |date=January 2, 2011 |access-date=November 4, 2013 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140413041037/http://renotahoe.about.com/od/topnewsstories/ss/Top-Reno-News-Stories-For-2011_2.htm |archive-date=April 13, 2014 |url-status=dead |df=mdy-all }}</ref>

A graduate of the [[University of Nevada, Reno]], Sandoval began his political career in the early 1990s. In 1998 he was appointed to be a member of the [[Nevada Gaming Commission]] and later served as the commission's chairman from 1999 to 2001. A [[Republican Party (United States)|Republican]], Sandoval ran and won the position of [[Nevada Attorney General]] and served from 2003 until 2005, when President [[George W. Bush]] nominated Sandoval to serve as judge of the [[United States District Court for the District of Nevada]].

Sandoval ran for governor in [[2010 Nevada gubernatorial election|2010]]. He defeated incumbent governor [[Jim Gibbons (American politician)|Jim Gibbons]] for the Republican nomination and later defeated [[Democratic Party (United States)|Democratic]] nominee [[Rory Reid (politician)|Rory Reid]] in the general election. He was re-elected in the [[2014 Nevada gubernatorial election]], defeating Democrat Bob Goodman with 70.6% of the vote to Goodman's 23.9%.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Nevada gubernatorial election, 2014 |url=https://ballotpedia.org/Nevada_gubernatorial_election,_2014 |access-date=2025-07-07 |website=Ballotpedia |language=en}}</ref> Sandoval was barred by [[term limits]] from running for a third term in [[2018 Nevada gubernatorial election|2018]]. He was succeeded by Democrat [[Steve Sisolak]].

Since October 2020, Sandoval has served as the 17th president of the [[University of Nevada, Reno]].<ref name=":0">{{Cite news|last=Solis|first=Jacob|date=September 17, 2020|title=Ex-Gov. Sandoval appointed by regents as next UNR president|work=The Nevada Independent|url=https://thenevadaindependent.com/article/ex-gov-sandoval-appointed-by-regents-as-next-unr-president|access-date=September 18, 2020}}</ref> 

==Early life and education==
Sandoval was born in [[Redding, California]], to Ron Sandoval (an FAA maintenance supervisor) and his wife Gloria (Gallegos) Sandoval (a legal secretary).<ref>{{cite web |last=Drake |first=Bruce |url=http://www.politicsdaily.com/2010/10/25/how-old-is-brian-sandoval/ |title=How Old Is Brian Sandoval? |publisher=Politicsdaily.com |date=October 25, 2010 |access-date=November 4, 2013 |archive-date=January 10, 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150110014923/http://www.politicsdaily.com/2010/10/25/how-old-is-brian-sandoval/ |url-status=dead }}</ref><ref>{{cite web |author=Sean Whaley |url=http://www.nevadanewsbureau.com/2011/08/02/gov-brian-sandoval-in-middle-east-to-meet-with-nevada-troops-see-mission-first-hand/ |title=Blog Archive » Gov. Brian Sandoval In Middle East To Meet With Nevada Troops, See Mission First-Hand |publisher=Nevada News Bureau |date=August 2, 2011 |access-date=November 4, 2013 |archive-date=April 9, 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180409233741/http://www.nevadanewsbureau.com/2011/08/02/gov-brian-sandoval-in-middle-east-to-meet-with-nevada-troops-see-mission-first-hand/ |url-status=dead }}</ref> A long-time resident of [[Reno, Nevada|Reno]], Sandoval is of Hispanic ancestry.<ref name=Moritz_April2006>{{cite web|last=Flennoy |first=Mae |title=Brian Sandoval '89: Nevada's First Hispanic U.S. District Judge |date=April 2006 |url=http://moritzlaw.osu.edu/alumni/newsletter/2006/april/sandoval.html |access-date=September 20, 2009 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070825185135/http://moritzlaw.osu.edu/alumni/newsletter/2006/april/sandoval.html |archive-date=August 25, 2007 }}</ref> Sandoval attended Reno's [[Saint Therese of the Little Flower Catholic Church|Little Flower School]]<ref name="Siobhan">{{cite news|last1=Siobhan|first1=McAndrew|title=Little Flower School in Reno celebrates 50 years|publisher=Reno Gazette - Journal|date=24 April 2013|id={{ProQuest|1339506993}}}}</ref> and graduated from [[Bishop Manogue High School]] in Reno in 1981; he attended the [[University of Nevada, Reno]], where he was a member of [[Sigma Alpha Epsilon]] fraternity. He earned a [[Bachelor of Arts]] degree in English and economics in 1986.<ref name=lvsun_19980424>{{cite web|title=Sandoval gives up seat for gaming board|work=[[Las Vegas Sun]]|date=April 24, 1998|url=http://lasvegassun.com/news/1998/apr/24/sandoval-gives-up-seat-for-gaming-board/|access-date=August 24, 2009}}</ref><ref name=lvrj_20020715>{{cite web|last=Morrison |first=Jane Ann |title=Race For Attorney General: Candidates state cases |work=[[Las Vegas Review-Journal]] |date=July 15, 2002 |url=http://www.reviewjournal.com/lvrj_home/2002/Jul-15-Mon-2002/news/19187672.html |access-date=September 20, 2009 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090604060001/http://www.reviewjournal.com/lvrj_home/2002/Jul-15-Mon-2002/news/19187672.html |archive-date=June 4, 2009 }}</ref> He then went on to earn a [[Juris Doctor]] from the [[Moritz College of Law|Ohio State University Moritz College of Law]] in 1989.<ref name=lvrj_20020715/>

== Early career ==
Sandoval passed the Nevada and California [[Bar examination|bar exams]] and entered private practice with several [[Reno, Nevada|Reno]] law firms.<ref name=lvrj_20020715/> In 1999, he opened his own law firm in Reno.<ref name=lvrj_20020715/>

===Nevada Assembly===
====Elections====
When incumbent Republican [[Jim Gibbons (American politician)|Jim Gibbons]] decided to retire to run for Governor of Nevada in 1994, Sandoval ran for the Reno-based 25th District of the [[Nevada Assembly]]. He won the open seat and won re-election in 1996. After he resigned from his seat in 1998, Gibbons's wife, [[Dawn Gibbons|Dawn]], won the open seat.<ref name=lvrj_20020715/>

====Tenure====
Sandoval sponsored 14 bills that became law—including some that prevented felons from suing victims if they are injured committing a crime, increased the penalties for operating a boat under the influence, and allowed indigent defendants to perform community service to defray their legal costs.<ref name=DC_Report2006>{{cite web|title=State of the Court 2006|publisher=[[United States District Court for the District of Nevada]]|year=2006|url=http://www.nvd.uscourts.gov/Files/DC_Report2006AALL.pdf#page=7&pagemode=none|format=PDF|access-date=September 20, 2009|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110721070059/http://www.nvd.uscourts.gov/Files/DC_Report2006AALL.pdf#page=7&pagemode=none|archive-date=July 21, 2011|url-status=dead|df=mdy-all}}</ref><ref name=lvrj_20011012>{{cite web|last=Morrison |first=Jane Ann |title=Brian Sandoval announces bid for attorney general |work=[[Las Vegas Review-Journal]] |date=October 12, 2001 |url=http://www.reviewjournal.com/lvrj_home/2001/Oct-12-Fri-2001/news/17206546.html |access-date=September 20, 2009 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20050401073650/http://www.reviewjournal.com/lvrj_home/2001/Oct-12-Fri-2001/news/17206546.html |archive-date=April 1, 2005 }}</ref>

====Committee assignments====
Sandoval served on the Judiciary, Taxation and Natural Resources Committees. He also served on the Wisconsin Legislative Commission, the Advisory Commission on Sentencing, the Juvenile Justice Commission, the Advisory Council on Community Notification of Sex Offenders, and the Tahoe Regional Planning Agency Oversight Committee.<ref name=DC_Report2006/>

===Gaming Commission of Nevada===
In 1998, Sandoval was appointed to serve as a member of the [[Nevada Gaming Commission|Gaming Commission of Nevada]], which oversees the state's gaming industry.<ref name=DC_Report2006/> The following year, at the age of 35, Sandoval became the youngest person ever to serve as chairman of the gaming commission.<ref name=Moritz_April2006/><ref name=DC_Report2006/> During his time on the commission, Sandoval fought national efforts to block gambling on college sports events, worked on regulations limiting neighborhood gaming and worked for regulations prohibiting slot machines with themes attractive to children.<ref name=lvrj_20011012/>

==Attorney General of Nevada==
===2002 election===
Sandoval announced his bid on October 11, 2001, to succeed three-term [[Democratic Party (United States)|Democrat]] [[Frankie Sue Del Papa]] who was not eligible to run for re–election as [[Nevada Attorney General|Attorney General of Nevada]] due to lifetime [[Term limits in the United States|term limits]] established by the [[Constitution of Nevada|Nevada Constitution]] in 1996.<ref name=lvrj_20011012/> His primary major party opposition was Democratic attorney John Hunt from [[Las Vegas]], whom Sandoval defeated by a margin of 58.32% to 33.63% on November 5, 2002.<ref name=lvrj_20020715/><ref name=NV_ElectionSummary2002>{{cite web|title=Election Summary|work=Official 2002 General Election Results|publisher=[[Secretary of State of Nevada]]|url=http://nvsos.gov/SOSelectionPages/results/2002General/ElectionSummary.aspx|access-date=August 5, 2011}}</ref> Sandoval took office on January 6, 2003.<ref name=lvrj_20030107>{{cite web|last=Morrison |first=Jane Ann |author2=Vogel, Ed |title=Swearing In: Winners get to work |work=[[Las Vegas Review-Journal]] |date=January 7, 2003 |url=http://www.reviewjournal.com/lvrj_home/2003/Jan-07-Tue-2003/news/20416701.html |access-date=September 20, 2009 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20041029085319/http://www.reviewjournal.com/lvrj_home/2003/Jan-07-Tue-2003/news/20416701.html |archive-date=October 29, 2004 }}</ref>

===Tenure===
While Attorney General, Sandoval led the state's legal fight against the storage of nuclear waste at [[Yucca Mountain]], developed Nevada's first Public Integrity Unit and sponsored legislation strengthening Nevada's laws against domestic violence, drug abuse and human trafficking.<ref name=Moritz_April2006/><ref name=DC_Report2006/>

As attorney general, Sandoval was also the chairman and a member of several state boards and commissions, including the Nevada Boards of Pardons, Prisons, Transportation, and Examiners; the Cyber-Crime Task Force; the Committee on Domestic Violence, and the Prosecutorial Advisory Council.<ref name=Moritz_April2006/><ref name=DC_Report2006/>

==Federal district judge==
===Nomination===
In the fall of 2004, Democratic Senator [[Harry Reid]] spoke with Sandoval about whether he was interested in serving as a judge for the [[United States District Court for the District of Nevada]], and that December, Reid recommended to President [[George W. Bush]] that he nominate Sandoval to a future opening on that court.<ref>{{cite web|last=Myers|first=Dennis|title=Citizen Reid|publisher=Reno [[News & Review]]|date=December 2, 2004|url=http://www.newsreview.com/reno/citizen-reid/content?oid=23692|access-date=August 24, 2009 }}</ref><ref>{{cite web|title=Confirmation Hearings on Federal Appointments|publisher=[[United States Government Printing Office|Government Printing Office]]|date=September 29, 2005|url=http://www.gpo.gov/fdsys/pkg/CHRG-109shrg27745/html/CHRG-109shrg27745.htm|access-date=August 24, 2009}}</ref> Sandoval was formally nominated by Bush on March 1, 2005, to the seat being vacated by Judge [[Howard D. McKibben]].<ref name=fjc_sandoval>{{FJC Bio|nid=1392291|inline=yes}}</ref>

On September 29, 2005, the [[United States Senate Committee on the Judiciary|Senate Judiciary Committee]] held a confirmation hearing on Sandoval's nomination.<ref>{{cite web|title=TIME CHANGE Judicial Nominations Hearing Time has been changed to 1:30 P.M. |publisher=[[United States Senate Committee on the Judiciary]] |date=September 29, 2005 |url=http://judiciary.senate.gov/hearings/hearing.cfm?id=1625 |access-date=August 24, 2009 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090814133531/http://judiciary.senate.gov/hearings/hearing.cfm?id=1625 |archive-date=August 14, 2009 }}</ref> On October 20, 2005, the Judiciary committee reported Sandoval's nomination out of committee on a voice vote.<ref>{{cite web|title=Executive Business Meeting |publisher=[[United States Senate Committee on the Judiciary]] |date=October 20, 2005 |url=http://judiciary.senate.gov/hearings/hearing.cfm?id=1645 |access-date=August 24, 2009 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090826043858/http://judiciary.senate.gov/hearings/hearing.cfm?id=1645 |archive-date=August 26, 2009 }}</ref> Sandoval was unanimously confirmed by the [[United States Senate]] on October 24, 2005 by an 89–0 vote (with 11 Senators not voting).<ref name=fjc_sandoval/><ref>{{cite web|title=On the Nomination (Confirmation Brian Edward Sandoval, of Nevada, To Be United States District Judge)|publisher=United States Senate|date=October 24, 2005|url=https://www.senate.gov/legislative/LIS/roll_call_lists/roll_call_vote_cfm.cfm?congress=109&session=1&vote=00265|access-date=September 20, 2009}}</ref> Sandoval received his judicial commission on October 26, 2005.<ref name=fjc_sandoval/>

===Tenure===
Sandoval announced his resignation as [[United States District Court for the District of Nevada|Judge of the United States District Court for the District of Nevada]] on August 15, 2009, to become effective beginning September 15, 2009.<ref name=ap20090816>{{cite news |title=Many expect Sandoval to challenge Gov. Gibbons |agency=Associated Press |date=August 16, 2009 |url=http://www.lahontanvalleynews.com/article/20090816/NEWS/908169997/1055&ParentProfile=1045 |access-date=September 20, 2009 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090818195234/http://www.lahontanvalleynews.com/article/20090816/NEWS/908169997/1055%26parentprofile%3D1045 |archive-date=August 18, 2009 |df=mdy-all }}</ref> On the same day as his resignation became official, Sandoval announced he was running for the Governorship. Sandoval's chambers were in the Bruce R. Thompson Courthouse and Federal Building in [[Reno, Nevada|Reno]].<ref name=Moritz_April2006/><ref>{{cite web|title=Judge List|publisher=[[United States District Court for the District of Nevada]]|url=http://www.nvd.uscourts.gov/JudgeList.aspx|access-date=August 24, 2009|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090831232329/http://www.nvd.uscourts.gov/JudgeList.aspx|archive-date=August 31, 2009|url-status=dead|df=mdy-all}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|title=U.S. District Court – District of Nevada – Home|publisher=[[United States District Court for the District of Nevada]]|url=http://www.nvd.uscourts.gov/Default.aspx|access-date=August 24, 2009|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090825155348/http://www.nvd.uscourts.gov/default.aspx|archive-date=August 25, 2009|url-status=dead|df=mdy-all}}</ref>

==Governor of Nevada==
===2010 election===
{{Main|2010 Nevada gubernatorial election}}
On June 9, 2010, on the Republican primary, Sandoval defeated incumbent Governor [[Jim Gibbons (American politician)|Jim Gibbons]]. In the general election, Sandoval won 53%–41%,<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.ourcampaigns.com/RaceDetail.html?RaceID=397825 |title=NV Governor Race – Nov 02, 2010 |publisher=Our Campaigns |access-date=November 4, 2013}}</ref> against Democrat [[Rory Reid (politician)|Rory Reid]], the [[Clark County, Nevada|Clark County]] Commissioner and son of U.S. Senate Majority Leader [[Harry Reid]]. He won every county in the state, and all with a majority except Clark County, where Las Vegas is the county seat, which Sandoval won with a plurality (49%–47%).<ref>{{cite news|last=Chereb|first=Sandra|title=US Judge Sandoval resigns; return to NV politics?|agency=Associated Press|date=August 14, 2009|url=http://www.utsandiego.com/news/2009/aug/14/nv-sandoval-judgeship-081409/|access-date=June 30, 2010}}</ref>

===2014 election===
{{Main|2014 Nevada gubernatorial election}}
Sandoval ran for re-election in 2014. He won the Republican primary with 90% of the vote. In the general election, Sandoval defeated [[Democratic Party (United States)|Democrat]] Bob Goodman with over 70% of the vote.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.silverstateelection.com/NVOther/ |title=OFFICIAL RESULTS 2014 Statewide Results |publisher=Nevada Secretary of State |access-date=December 24, 2014 |archive-date=January 29, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200129111214/http://silverstateelection.com/NVOther/ |url-status=dead }}</ref>

===Tenure===
[[File:Brian Sandoval and Harry Reid.jpg|thumb|Sandoval and Nevada U.S. Senator [[Harry Reid]] in 2010]]
Sandoval, as the state's 29th Governor, proposed a $5.8 billion 2011 budget without any new taxes. It could cause as many as 361 layoffs and 5% pay reductions for state workers. It also included a 5% cut in primary education and 7% cut in higher education.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://lasvegassun.com/news/2011/jan/24/nv-nevada-budget-1st-ld-writethru/|title=Details of Sandoval's budget plan |work= Las Vegas Sun Newspaper|agency=Associated Press|date=January 24, 2011}}</ref> Sandoval turned down a pay raise that would have increased his salary from $141,000 to $149,573 per year. He also has said he will take a 5% pay cut to coincide with every other state worker's.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.tahoedailytribune.com/article/20110209/NEWS/110209932 |title=2011 Nevada Legislature: Gov. Brian Sandoval reduces mansion budget &#124; TahoeDailyTribune.com |publisher=Tahoebonanza.com |access-date=November 4, 2013 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150220213836/http://www.tahoedailytribune.com/article/20110209/NEWS/110209932 |archive-date=February 20, 2015 |df=mdy-all }}</ref><ref>{{cite web |last=Silva |first=Cristina |url=http://www.businessweek.com/ap/financialnews/D9KUTR7G0.htm |title=Nevada governor to give 1st State of State speech |work=Bloomberg BusinessWeek |date=January 24, 2011 |access-date=November 4, 2013 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150923231541/http://www.businessweek.com/ap/financialnews/D9KUTR7G0.htm |archive-date=September 23, 2015 |df=mdy-all }}</ref>

The final budget for 2011 avoided deep cuts to education and human services programs. It contained a number of reforms that include ending teacher tenure as well as the practice of deciding layoffs based solely on teacher seniority, allowing local governments to re-open employee contracts during financial emergencies as well as barring collective bargaining by supervisors, and eliminating retirement health insurance for new state employees hired after January 1, 2012.<ref>{{cite news | author=Sandra Chereb | title=Lawmakers Reach Deal on Nevada State Budget | work=Boston Globe | date=June 1, 2011 | url=http://www.boston.com/news/education/higher/articles/2011/06/02/lawmakers_reach_deal_on_nevada_state_budget/ | access-date=August 29, 2013}}</ref>

He appointed U.S. Congressman [[Dean Heller]] (R–Carson City) to become U.S. Senator, after the seat became vacant from the resignation of [[John Ensign]].

On September 11, 2014, Sandoval signed a package bill to provide $1.3 billion in tax breaks and subsidies over 20 years for [[Tesla Motors]] in exchange for building the massive [[Gigafactory 1]] battery factory in the state, near Reno. The factory is key to Nevada's efforts to revitalize its economy, which was hard-hit by the mortgage meltdown and the Great Recession and has yet to fully recover.<ref>{{cite news|last1=Chereb|first1=Sandra|title=Nevada Governor signs $1.3 billion tax break package for electric car maker Tesla|url=https://www.reuters.com/article/us-usa-tesla-motors-nevada-idUSKBN0H704A20140912|work=Reuters|date=September 12, 2014|access-date=September 12, 2014|archive-date=September 12, 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140912021408/http://www.reuters.com/article/2014/09/12/us-usa-tesla-motors-nevada-idUSKBN0H704A20140912|url-status=live}}</ref> 
In June 2015, Sandoval signed several bills designed to overhaul Nevada's education system. The reforms substantially increased funding for public schools and grants and created incentives to recruit more teachers and promote professional training. $10 million were appropriated for preschool programs and an expansion of full-day kindergarten across Nevada.<ref>{{Cite web
| url = http://www.reviewjournal.com/news/nevada/nevada-gov-brian-sandoval-signs-education-bills| title = Nevada Gov. Brian Sandoval signs education bills| last = Morton| first = Neal | website = Las Vegas Review-Journal| date = June 11, 2015| access-date = 2016-02-25}}</ref>

Sandoval came into conflict with the [[rooftop solar]] industry in Nevada in 2015, which accused him of failing to act on a statewide net energy metering cap of 235MW and reducing in-state jobs in the industry.<ref>{{cite web |last1=Roerink|first1=Kyle |url=http://lasvegassun.com/news/2015/apr/17/sandoval-nv-energy-mum-net-metering-after-meetings/ |title=Sandoval, NV Energy Mum Net Metering After Meetings|date=April 17, 2015 }}</ref><ref>{{cite web|last1=Whaley|first1=Sean|url=http://www.reviewjournal.com/business/energy/nevada-could-lose-6000-jobs-without-net-metering-cap-hike|website=Las Vegas Review Journal|title=Nevada Could Lose 6000 Jobs Without Net Metering Cap Hike|date=April 17, 2015}}</ref> The cap was hit on August 20, 2015.<ref>{{cite web|last1=Roerink|first1=Kyle |url=http://lasvegassun.com/news/2015/aug/21/nv-energy-rooftop-solar-cap-will-be-hit-saturday/ |website=The Las Vegas Sun|title=NV Energy Rooftop Solar Cap Will Be Hit Saturday|date=August 21, 2015 }}</ref> A Nevadan solar company filed a lawsuit against Sandoval the following December to compel the release of withheld records, which included text messages between the Governor and his staff with [[NV Energy]]'s lobbyists.<ref>{{cite web|last1=Whaley|first1=Sean |url=http://www.reviewjournal.com/news/nevada/solar-company-sues-sandovals-office-over-refusal-release-text-messages |website=The Las Vegas Review Journal|title=Solar Company Sues Sandoval's Office Over Refusal to Release Text Messages|date=June 14, 2023 }}</ref> Sandoval's Public Utilities Commission of Nevada voted to  eliminate the state's net metering policy for rooftop solar on December 22.<ref>{{cite web |last1=Whaley |first1=Sean |date=December 24, 2015 |title=SolarCity Stopping Nevada Sales Installation After PUC Ruling |url=http://www.reviewjournal.com/business/energy/solarcity-stopping-nevada-sales-installations-after-puc-ruling |website=The Las Vegas Review Journal}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |last1=Buhayar |first1=Noah |date=January 28, 2016 |title=Who owns the sun? |url=https://www.bloomberg.com/features/2016-solar-power-buffett-vs-musk/ |website=[[Bloomberg Businessweek]]}}</ref>

Sandoval is widely regarded as a moderate Republican, supporting abortion, [[Affordable Care Act|Obamacare]], immigration reform, and renewable energy.<ref>{{Cite news| url = https://www.politico.com/magazine/story/2016/02/nevada-primary-brian-sandoval-213668/| title = Meet Brian Sandoval, Nevada's Party Pooper| website = POLITICO Magazine| access-date = 2016-02-25}}</ref> Sandoval was suggested by Senator [[Harry Reid]] as a potential nominee to fill the seat of deceased Supreme Court Justice [[Antonin Scalia]], given his judicial experience as well as his moderate reputation; however, Sandoval quickly withdrew himself from consideration.<ref>{{cite web | last1 = Liptak | first1 = Kevin | last2 = Raju | first2 = Manu | last3 = LoBianco | first3 = Tom | title = Obama offers Supreme Court hints; top Democrat suggests Republican governor | url = http://www.cnn.com/2016/02/24/politics/obama-supreme-court-nominee/ | publisher = [[CNN]] | date = February 24, 2016 | access-date = March 3, 2016}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |last1 = Martin |first1 = Jonathan |last2 = Healy |first2 = Patrick | title = Supreme Court Path Is Littered With Pitfalls, for President and G.O.P. | url = https://www.nytimes.com/2016/02/17/us/politics/supreme-court-path-is-littered-with-pitfalls-for-president-and-gop.html | newspaper = The New York Times | date = February 16, 2016 | access-date = March 3, 2016}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.hngn.com/articles/182542/20160225/brian-sandoval-nevada-governor-withdraws-name-supreme-court-consideration-breaking.htm|title=Brian Sandoval, Nevada Governor, Withdraws Name From Supreme Court Consideration |work=Headlines & Global News|date=February 25, 2016 }}</ref>

On March 21, 2016, Sandoval met with [[Mark Davis (American football)|Mark Davis]], owner of the [[NFL]]'s [[Las Vegas Raiders|Oakland Raiders]], about [[Oakland Raiders relocation to Las Vegas|moving the Raiders to Las Vegas, Nevada]]. On October 14, 2016, Sandoval signed a bill that would provide $750 million in public funding for [[Allegiant Stadium]] which would open four years later for the Raiders and the [[UNLV Rebels football|UNLV Rebels football program]] in July 2020.<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.cbsnews.com/sanfrancisco/news/raiders-las-vegas-stadium-nevada-gov-brian-sandoval-signs-bill/|title=Nevada Gov. Signs Bill For Raiders Stadium In Las Vegas|newspaper=[[CBS News]]|date=October 17, 2016|access-date=January 4, 2023}}</ref>

On July 12, 2016, Sandoval launched a comprehensive review of Nevada's juvenile justice system and established the Statewide Juvenile Justice Improvement Task Force. Nevada was selected to receive technical assistance from [[Council of State Governments#Justice Center|The Council of State Governments (CSG) Justice Center]] through a grant from the U.S. Department of Justice's [[Office of Juvenile Justice and Delinquency Prevention]]. Following the launch, the CSG Justice Center conducted an analysis of the state's juvenile justice system and made recommendations to the task force based on its assessment.<ref>{{Cite web| url = http://www.reviewjournal.com/crime/courts/task-force-begins-weighing-overhaul-nevada-s-juvenile-justice-system| title = Task Force Begins Weighing Overhaul of Nevada's Juvenile Justice System| website = Las Vegas Review-Journal| date = November 30, 2016| access-date = 2017-03-17}}</ref>

On May 17, 2017, Sandoval signed Senate Bill 201, which would ban psychotherapists from performing [[conversion therapy]] on minors.<ref>{{Cite web|title=Nevada SB201 {{!}} 2017 {{!}} 79th Legislature|url=https://legiscan.com/NV/text/SB201/id/1612730|access-date=2021-05-14|website=LegiScan|language=en}}</ref>

== Gaming executive ==
After leaving office, Sandoval joined [[MGM Resorts International]] as the president of global gaming development. In that role, he was responsible for leading MGM's efforts in legalizing casino [[gambling in Japan]] and public policy around [[sports betting]] in the United States.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Garcia Cano |first=Regina |date=2019-01-08 |title=Former Nevada Gov. Brian Sandoval joins MGM Resorts |url=https://apnews.com/general-news-9c0c2e0f2f294d908e039dfc682c493b |access-date=2025-02-16 |website=Associated Press |language=en}}</ref> He left the position in April 2020 to apply for the position of president of the University of Nevada, Reno.<ref>{{Cite web |date=2020-04-01 |title=Former Governor Sandoval exits MGM, will apply to lead UNR |url=https://thenevadaindependent.com/article/former-governor-sandoval-exits-mgm-will-apply-to-lead-unr |access-date=2025-02-16 |website=The Nevada Independent |language=en}}</ref> In February 2025, concurrently with serving as president of UNR, Sandoval was named to the [[board of directors]] of [[Resorts World Las Vegas]], an effort to provide local oversight over a casino which had been mired with issues.<ref>{{Cite web |date=2025-02-10 |title=Former Nevada governor appointed to board of Strip casino |url=https://www.reviewjournal.com/business/casinos-gaming/former-nevada-governor-appointed-to-board-of-strip-casino-3283513/ |access-date=2025-02-16 |website=Las Vegas Review-Journal |language=en-US}}</ref>

== President of University of Nevada, Reno ==
On September 17, 2020, Sandoval was named as [[University of Nevada, Reno|UNR]]'s 17th president (following [[Marc Johnson (academic)|Marc Johnson]]). He is considered an unusual choice because his background does not include any experience in higher education administration.<ref name=":0"/> He is the first Hispanic president of the university,<ref name=":0" /> as well as the first alumnus of the university to serve as its president. As UNR president, Sandoval has pushed to expand enrollment to 25,000 students by 2030 in what he calls the "Wolf Pack Way".<ref>{{Cite web|last=Boger|first=Noah Glick, Nate Hegyi, Paul|title=KUNR Today: Sen. Cortez Masto On Debt Limit, Sandoval Pushing UNR Enrollment And Research|url=https://www.kunr.org/post/kunr-today-sen-cortez-masto-debt-limit-sandoval-pushing-unr-enrollment-and-research|access-date=2021-10-13|website=www.kunr.org|date=September 29, 2021|language=en}}</ref>

==Honors and awards==
Sandoval has received the following awards and certificates: the Hispanics in Politics' 1996 "Broche de Oro Award";<ref>{{cite web|title=Hispanics in politics recognizes leaders|publisher=[[Las Vegas Sun]]|date=April 3, 1996|url=http://lasvegassun.com/news/1996/apr/03/hispanics-in-politics-recognizes-leaders/|access-date=August 24, 2009}}</ref> the [[Anti-Defamation League|Anti-Defamation League's]] 2003 "Torch of Liberty Award;" the Nevada State Bar's 2004 "Access to Justice Public Lawyer Award;" The Latino Coalition's 2004 "Most Influential Hispanic in the U.S. Award";<ref>{{cite web|title=The Latino Coalition Honors The Most Influential Hispanics During Hispanic Gala in New York|publisher=The Latino Coalition|date=August 24, 2004|url=http://hispanicprwire.com/en/the-latino-coalition-honors-the-most-influential-hispanics-during-hispanic-gala-in-new-york/|access-date=August 24, 2009|archive-date=January 8, 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160108190515/http://hispanicprwire.com/en/the-latino-coalition-honors-the-most-influential-hispanics-during-hispanic-gala-in-new-york/|url-status=dead}}</ref> and the 2004 [[University of Nevada, Reno|University of Nevada]] "Alumnus of the Year Award."<ref name=DC_Report2006/>

==Personal life==
Sandoval married Kathleen Teipner in 1990. With Kathleen, the program director for the Children's Cabinet in Reno, Sandoval has three children.<ref name=DC_Report2006/><ref name=lvrj_20011012/> He and his wife announced their separation in 2017 and finalized their divorce in 2018, stating the demands of public life as the main reason.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.reviewjournal.com/news/politics-and-government/nevada/nevada-gov-brian-sandoval-finalizes-divorce/|title = Nevada Gov. Brian Sandoval finalizes divorce|date = February 28, 2018}}</ref> Sandoval remarried Lauralyn McCarthy, a Las Vegas gaming executive on August 11, 2018.<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.rgj.com/story/news/politics/2018/08/12/nevada-gov-sandoval-mccarthy-marry-lake-tahoe/971227002/|title=Gov. Sandoval, McCarthy marry at Lake Tahoe|work=Reno Gazette Journal|access-date=2018-08-12|language=en}}</ref>

==Electoral history==
{| class="wikitable"
! colspan="5" |Nevada's 25th Assembly District Republican Primary Election, 1994
|-
|'''Party'''
|'''Candidate'''
|'''Votes'''
|'''%'''
|'''±'''
|-
|'''Republican'''
|'''Brian Sandoval'''
|'''4,237'''
|'''74.75%'''
|
|-
|Republican
|Heidi Smith
|1,431
|25.25
|
|}
{| class="wikitable"
! colspan="5" |Nevada's 25th Assembly District Election, 1994
|-
|'''Party'''
|'''Candidate'''
|'''Votes'''
|'''%'''
|'''±'''
|-
|'''Republican'''
|'''Brian Sandoval'''
|'''10,497'''
|'''79.78%'''
|
|-
|Democratic
|Karol Kellison
|2,661
|20.22%
|
|}
{| class="wikitable"
! colspan="5" |Nevada's 25th Assembly District Election, 1996
|-
|'''Party'''
|'''Candidate'''
|'''Votes'''
|'''%'''
|'''±'''
|-
|'''Republican'''
|'''Brian Sandoval (inc.)'''
|'''12,513'''
|'''100.00'''
|
|}
{{Election box begin|title=Nevada Attorney General election, 2002<ref name=NV_ElectionSummary2002/>}}
{{Election box winning candidate with party link||party=Republican Party (United States)|candidate=Brian Sandoval|votes=290,471|percentage=58.32%|change=}}
{{Election box candidate with party link||party=Democratic Party (United States)|candidate=John Hunt|votes=167,513|percentage=33.63%|change=}}
{{Election box end}}
{{Election box begin no change|title=2010 Republican gubernatorial primary results}}
{{Election box winning candidate with party link no change|candidate=Brian Sandoval|party=Republican Party (United States)|votes=97,201|percentage=55.5}}
{{Election box candidate with party link no change|candidate=[[Jim Gibbons (American politician)|Jim Gibbons]] ([[Incumbent|inc.]])|party=Republican Party (United States)|votes=47,616|percentage=27.2}}
{{Election box candidate with party link no change|candidate=[[Mike Montandon]]|party=Republican Party (United States)|votes=22,002|percentage=12.6}}
{{Election box candidate with party link no change|candidate=[[None of These Candidates]]|party=Republican Party (United States)|votes=4,400|percentage=2.5}}
{{Election box candidate with party link no change|candidate=Tony Atwood|party=Republican Party (United States)|votes=2,440|percentage=1.4}}
{{Election box candidate with party link no change|candidate=Stan Lusak|party=Republican Party (United States)|votes=1,380|percentage=0.8}}
{{Election box total no change|votes=175,039|percentage=100}}
{{Election box end}}
{{Election box begin|title=[[Nevada gubernatorial election, 2010]]<ref name=NV_ElectionSummary2002/>}}
{{Election box winning candidate with party link||party=Republican Party (United States)|candidate=Brian Sandoval|votes=382,350|percentage=53.36%|change=+5.44%}}
{{Election box candidate with party link||party=Democratic Party (United States)|candidate=[[Rory Reid (politician)|Rory Reid]]|votes=298,171|percentage=41.61%|change=-2.31%}}
{{Election box candidate with party link|party=None of These Candidates|candidate=[[None of These Candidates]]|votes=12,231|percentage=1.71%|change=-1.85%}}
{{Election box candidate with party link|party=Independent (politician)|candidate=Eugene DiSimone|votes=6,403|percentage=0.89%|change=}}
{{Election box candidate with party link|party=Independent American Party of Nevada|candidate=Floyd Fitzgibbons|votes=5,049|percentage=0.70%|change=-2.73%}}
{{Election box candidate with party link|party=Libertarian Party (United States)|candidate=Arthur Forest Lampitt Jr.|votes=4,672|percentage=0.65%|change=}}
{{Election box candidate with party link|party=Green Party (United States)|candidate=David Scott Curtis|votes=4,437|percentage=0.62%|change=-0.54%}}
{{Election box candidate with party link|party=Independent (politician)|candidate=Aaron Y. Honig|votes=3,216|percentage=0.45%|change=}}
{{Election box majority|votes=84,179|percentage=11.75%|change=+7.74%}}
{{Election box turnout|votes=716,529|percentage=|change=}}
{{Election box hold with party link|winner=Republican Party (United States)|swing=}}
{{Election box end}}
{{Election box begin no change|title=2014 Republican gubernatorial primary results}}
{{Election box winning candidate with party link no change|candidate=Brian Sandoval|party=Republican Party (United States)|votes=105,857|percentage=89.88}}
{{Election box candidate with party link no change|candidate=Edward Hamilton|party=Republican Party (United States)|votes=3,758|percentage=3.19}}
{{Election box candidate with party link no change|candidate=[[None of These Candidates]]|party=Republican Party (United States)|votes=3,509|percentage=2.98}}
{{Election box candidate with party link no change|candidate=William Tarbell|party=Republican Party (United States)|votes=1,966|percentage=1.67}}
{{Election box candidate with party link no change|candidate=Thomas Tighe|party=Republican Party (United States)|votes=1,495|percentage=1.27}}
{{Election box candidate with party link no change|candidate=Gary Marinch|party=Republican Party (United States)|votes=1,195|percentage=1.01}}
{{Election box total no change|votes=117,780|percentage=100}}
{{Election box end}}
{{Election box begin|title=[[Nevada gubernatorial election, 2014]]<ref name="Results">{{cite web|url=http://www.silverstateelection.com/NVOther/|title=OFFICIAL RESULTS 2014 Statewide Results|publisher=Nevada Secretary of State|access-date=December 24, 2014|archive-date=January 29, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200129111214/http://silverstateelection.com/NVOther/|url-status=dead}}</ref>}}
{{Election box winning candidate with party link|candidate=Brian Sandoval ([[Incumbent|inc.]])|party=Republican Party (United States)|votes=386,340|percentage=70.58%|change=}}
{{Election box candidate with party link|candidate=Bob Goodman|party=Democratic Party (United States)|votes=130,722|percentage=23.88%|change=}}
{{Election box candidate with party link|candidate=[[None of These Candidates]]|party=None of These Candidates|votes=15,751|percentage=2.88%|change=}}
{{Election box candidate with party link|candidate=David Lory VanDerBeek|party=Independent American Party of Nevada|votes=14,536|percentage=2.66%|change=}}
{{Election box majority|votes=547,349|percentage=100%|change=}}
{{Election box hold with party link|winner=Republican Party (United States)|swing=}}
{{Election box end}}

==See also==
* [[Barack Obama Supreme Court candidates]]
* [[List of first minority male lawyers and judges in Nevada]]
* [[List of Hispanic and Latino American jurists]]
* [[List of minority governors and lieutenant governors in the United States]]

==References==
{{Reflist|30em}}

==External links==
* [http://gov.nv.gov/ Nevada Governor Brian Sandoval] official government website
* [https://web.archive.org/web/20131029183710/http://briansandoval.com/ Brian Sandoval for Governor] official 2014 campaign website
* [https://www.unr.edu/president Office of University President]
* {{C-SPAN|1011234}}
* {{FJC Bio|nid=1392291}}
* [https://web.archive.org/web/20110721070059/http://www.nvd.uscourts.gov/Files/DC_Report2006AALL.pdf#page=7&pagemode=none Brian Sandoval] profile in [[United States District Court for the District of Nevada|United States District Court for the District of Nevada's]] ''State of the Court 2006'' report{{dead link|date=June 2018}}
* [https://web.archive.org/web/20060902201307/http://moritzlaw.osu.edu/alumni/newsletter/2006/april/sandoval.html Brian Sandoval '89: Nevada's First Hispanic U.S. District Judge]

{{s-start}}
{{s-par|us-nv-hs}}
{{s-bef|before=[[Jim Gibbons (American politician)|Jim Gibbons]]}}
{{s-ttl|title=Member of the [[Nevada Assembly]]<br>from the 25th district|years=1994–1998}}
{{s-aft|after=[[Dawn Gibbons]]}}
|-
{{s-civ}}
{{s-bef|before=[[Deborah Griffin]]}}
{{s-ttl|title=Member of the [[Nevada Gaming Commission]]|years=1998–2001}}
{{s-aft|rows=2|after=[[Peter Bernhard]]}}
|-
{{s-bef|before=[[Bill Curran]]}}
{{s-ttl|title=Chair of the [[Nevada Gaming Commission]]|years=1999–2001}}
|-
{{s-legal}}
{{s-bef|before=[[Frankie Sue Del Papa]]}}
{{s-ttl|title=[[Nevada Attorney General|Attorney General of Nevada]]|years=2003–2005}}
{{s-aft|after=[[George Chanos]]}}
|-
{{s-bef|before=[[Howard D. McKibben]]}}
{{s-ttl|title={{nowrap|Judge of the [[United States District Court for the District of Nevada]]}}|years=2005–2009}}
{{s-aft|after=[[Gloria Navarro]]}}
|-
{{s-ppo}}
{{s-bef|before=[[Jim Gibbons (U.S. politician)|Jim Gibbons]]}}
{{s-ttl|title=[[Republican Party (United States)|Republican]] nominee for [[Governor of Nevada]]|years=[[2010 Nevada gubernatorial election|2010]], [[2014 Nevada gubernatorial election|2014]]}}
{{s-aft|after=[[Adam Laxalt]]}}
|-
{{s-off}}
{{s-bef|before=[[Jim Gibbons (American politician)|Jim Gibbons]]}}
{{s-ttl|title=[[Governor of Nevada]]|years=2011–2019}}
{{s-aft|after=[[Steve Sisolak]]}}
|-
{{s-bef|before=[[Terry McAuliffe]]}}
{{s-ttl|title=Chair of the [[National Governors Association]]|years=2017–2018}}
{{s-aft|after=[[Steve Bullock (American politician)|Steve Bullock]]}}
|-
{{s-aca}}
{{s-bef|before=[[Marc Johnson (academic)|Marc Johnson]]}}
{{s-ttl|title=President of the [[University of Nevada, Reno]]|years=2020–present}}
{{s-inc}}
|-
{{s-prec|usa}}
{{s-bef|before=[[Jim Gibbons (American politician)|Jim Gibbons]]|as=Former Governor}}
{{s-ttl|title=[[United States order of precedence|Order of precedence of the United States]]}}
{{s-aft|after=[[Steve Sisolak]]|as=Former Governor}}
{{s-end}}

{{Governors of Nevada}}
{{National Governors Association chairs}}
{{Authority control}}

{{DEFAULTSORT:Sandoval, Brian}}
[[Category:1963 births]]
[[Category:20th-century American lawyers]]
[[Category:21st-century American lawyers]]
[[Category:21st-century American politicians]]
[[Category:American judges of Mexican descent]]
[[Category:American politicians of Mexican descent]]
[[Category:Members of American gaming commissions]]
[[Category:Republican Party governors of Nevada]]
[[Category:Hispanic and Latino American judges]]
[[Category:Hispanic and Latino American state governors of the United States]]
[[Category:Hispanic and Latino American state legislators in Nevada]]
[[Category:Judges of the United States District Court for the District of Nevada]]
[[Category:Living people]]
[[Category:Republican Party members of the Nevada Assembly]]
[[Category:Ohio State University Moritz College of Law alumni]]
[[Category:Nevada attorneys general]]
[[Category:Nevada lawyers]]
[[Category:People from Redding, California]]
[[Category:Politicians from Carson City, Nevada]]
[[Category:Politicians from Reno, Nevada]]
[[Category:United States district court judges appointed by George W. Bush]]
[[Category:University of Nevada, Reno alumni]]
[[Category:University of Nevada, Reno faculty]]
[[Category:Latino conservatism in the United States]]
[[Category:Sigma Alpha Epsilon members]]
[[Category:Hispanic and Latino American lawyers]]
[[Category:20th-century members of the Nevada Legislature]]