Robert Joseph Miller(born March 30, 1945) is an American former attorney and politician who served as the 26thgovernor of Nevadafrom 1989 to 1999. A member of theDemocratic Party,he is Nevada's longest-serving governor. He is also, as of 2023, the most recent Nevada governor to have a lieutenant governor from the opposing party, having served with RepublicansSue WagnerandLonnie Hammargren.Before ascending to the governorship, Miller was the 29thlieutenant governor of Nevadafrom 1987 to 1989.
Bob Miller | |
|---|---|
 | |
| 26thGovernor of Nevada | |
| In office January 3, 1989 – January 4, 1999 | |
| Lieutenant | Sue Wagner Lonnie Hammargren |
| Preceded by | Richard Bryan |
| Succeeded by | Kenny Guinn |
| Chair of theNational Governors Association | |
| In office July 16, 1996 – July 30, 1997 | |
| Preceded by | Tommy Thompson |
| Succeeded by | George Voinovich |
| 29thLieutenant Governor of Nevada | |
| In office January 5, 1987 – January 3, 1989 | |
| Governor | Richard Bryan |
| Preceded by | Bob Cashell |
| Succeeded by | Sue Wagner |
| 19thDistrict Attorney of Clark County | |
| In office January 1, 1979 – December 31, 1986 | |
| Preceded by | George Holt |
| Succeeded by | Rex Bell |
| Personal details | |
| Born | Robert Joseph Miller March 30, 1945 Chicago,Illinois,U.S. |
| Political party | Democratic |
| Spouse | Sandy Miller |
| Children | 3, includingRoss |
| Education | Santa Clara University(BA) Loyola Marymount University(JD) |
| Signature |  |
| Military service | |
| Allegiance | United States |
| Branch/service | United States Army |
| Years of service | 1967–1973 |
| Unit | United States Army Reserve Air Force Reserve Command |
| Battles/wars | Vietnam War |
Early life and politics
editMiller was born in Chicago, Illinois, and moved with his family toLas Vegas, Nevadaas a child. His father, Ross Miller, was a bookmaker, who, according to his son's 2013 autobiography,Son of a Gambling Man,[1]had operated on both sides of the law on some of the meaner streets of industrial Chicago.
Bob Miller attended Roman Catholic schools. He graduated fromBishop Gorman High Schoolin 1963 with honors, and fromSanta Clara Universityin 1967, earning a degree in political science. He received hisJ.D.degree fromLoyola Law SchoolinLos Angeles, California.[1][2]
Miller served in theU.S. Army Reservefrom 1967 to 1973, and later in theU.S. Air Force Reserve.He served as Clark County Deputy District Attorney from 1971 to 1973. In 1978, Miller was elected Clark County District Attorney, and in 1982 became the first holder of that office to win re-election.[2]He was president of the National District Attorneys Association in 1984. Miller was elected the 29thLieutenant Governor of Nevadain 1986 and was sworn in for a four-year term on January 5, 1987.
Governor of Nevada (1989–1999)
editOn January 3, 1989, incumbent governorRichard Bryanresigned to take a seat in theU.S. Senate.Miller, as lieutenant governor, subsequently became governor under the Nevada succession law. After becoming governor, Miller addressed his staff, stating, "I'm looking forward for us to spend several years together. How many together depends on how well we do".[3]
Miller ran in the1990 Nevada gubernatorial electionto keep his job. He easily won the Democratic nomination and defeated Republican Jim Gallaway in alandslide.He was reelected in the1994 Nevada gubernatorial election,defeating Republican air force officer member (and future governor)Jim Gibbons.Miller chaired theNational Governors Associationfrom 1996 until 1997.[2]His decade in office made him Nevada's longest-serving governor. Lifetime term limits prevented him from seeking re-election in the1998 Nevada gubernatorial election.He was succeeded for governor by RepublicanKenny Guinn.
After Miller's departure from office in January 1999, no Nevada Democrats were elected governor untilSteve Sisolakin the2018 Nevada gubernatorial election.Miller has a middle school inHenderson,Nevadanamed after him, which opened in 1999.
After politics (1999–present)
editMiller presently serves on the board of directors ofWynn ResortsandInternational Game Technology.[2]He is the Principal of Robert J. Miller Consulting, which provides business-to-government and business-to-business advice and assistance. He is also a senior advisor withDutko Worldwide,a bipartisan government relations company headquartered in Washington, D.C.[4]
Family
editMiller and his wife, Sandy, have three children, includingRoss Miller,who served asSecretary of State of Nevadafrom 2007 to 2015. He and his wife currently live inHenderson, Nevada.
References
edit- ^ab"Former Gov. Bob Miller to publish memoirs next year".Las Vegas Review Journal.RetrievedJune 30,2011.
- ^abcd"About us".Robert J. Miller Consulting.Archived fromthe originalon March 26, 2012.RetrievedJune 30,2011.
- ^Wayne Melton (January 4, 1989)."Nearly 100 Nevadans on hand as Bryan takes Senate oath".Reno Gazette-Journal.RetrievedMarch 26,2023.
- ^"Bob Miller".Dutko Worldwide.RetrievedJune 30,2011.
External links
edit