The first Latino governor in Nevada history, he is young (by political standards), Hollywood handsome and cruising to easy reelection this year in a state that Democrats carried in the last two presidential races. Republicans would very much like to win it back in 2016.
"On paper, he's just right out of central casting for the kind of image the party needs," said John Weaver, a Texas-based GOP strategist.
If you're making everybody happy, you're lying to somebody. - Nevada Gov. Brian Sandoval
But for all the buzz about Republicans' strong gubernatorial bench — a roster of prospective White House contenders that includes Wisconsin's Scott Walker, Ohio's John Kasich and New Jersey's Chris Christie — there has been strikingly little talk about Sandoval. Even New Mexico Gov. Susana Martinez, who has had a rocky relationship with Latino activists in her Democratic-leaning state, is mentioned more often for a spot on the national ticket.
Part of the reason is distance from the East Coast's political arbiters. Sandoval has not courted national attention, nor has he excited conservative donors and activists by battling public employee unions and government workers, the way Walker and other Republican governors have.
