Freeman: ‘I won’t run’

Despite rumors to the contrary, former Nevada Assemblywoman Vivian Freeman (1987-2001) has no plans to run for Reno City Council next year.

“A lot of people have encouraged me to do so, but no, I’m not,” she said.

Freeman said she does plan to be involved in politics, just not as a candidate. She also noted that there doesn’t seem to be a lot of advance preparation for an election that’s less than a year away.

“I haven’t really heard much,” she said. “I know there are a lot of seats that are up for re-election this time. I’ve heard people who are interested but no real solid proposals. Politics is pretty nasty, and no one wants to be involved in it now.”

In part, she attributed the languid interest level to the job Mayor Bob Cashell has done in getting the council in line and marching in the same direction.

“I think that people like Bob and are willing to cut him a lot of slack,” she said.

While the train trench has had an enormous impact on the neighborhood where Freeman lives, it’s a “done deal,” she said. Nobody seems to see derailing the trench as a viable plank in a platform to a seat at the council table.

Freeman said the council hasn’t done anything particularly controversial to get potential candidates talking. In part, she said, it’s because the city is experiencing lean times—like everybody else.

“They’re out of money; they can’t do much when they’re out of money.”

Is there still a possibility? After all, there’s almost a year until Election Day.

“No chance. I will be involved in politics this coming electoral year, but I won’t be running myself. You know I lost my husband the day before the election last time, but I’m a junkie, and I will be involved.”