By Andy Matthews, NPRI President
Nevadans awoke to the news this morning that Bill Raggio, one of the truly great icons of Silver State politics, has died at the age of 85.
Mr. Raggio served 38 years in the Nevada Senate, and it’s difficult to spend that much time in public office without leaving a significant mark. Yet even among long-tenured public servants, his legacy stands out.
There are many, many people in this state who have worked alongside Mr. Raggio and who knew him much better than I did, and so I will leave it to them to offer their reflections on his life and his career. But it’s impossible for anyone involved in state politics or public policy not to feel the magnitude of this loss, and to appreciate what he meant to this state.
Those who have followed NPRI’s work over the years know that we have both agreed and disagreed with Mr. Raggio’s views on various policy issues. But there was never any doubt as to his love for Nevada and his commitment to making it a better place to live. For that, he will always have our respect and our admiration.
May he rest in peace, and may his loved ones find strength and comfort today and in the difficult days to come.
