Dawn Gibbons facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Dawn Gibbons
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|---|---|
| First Lady of Nevada | |
| In role January 1, 2007 – July 21, 2010 |
|
| Governor | Jim Gibbons |
| Preceded by | Dema Guinn |
| Succeeded by | Kathleen Teipner |
| Member of the Nevada Assembly from the 23rd district |
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| In office January 22, 1991 – April 16, 1991 |
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| Preceded by | Jim Gibbons |
| Succeeded by | Jim Gibbons |
| Member of the Nevada Assembly from the 25th district |
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| In office November 4, 1998 – November 3, 2004 |
|
| Preceded by | Brian Sandoval |
| Succeeded by | Heidi Gansert |
| Personal details | |
| Born | March 9, 1954 Atlanta, Georgia, U.S. |
| Political party | Republican |
| Spouse |
Jim Gibbons
(m. 1985; div. 2010) |
| Children | 1 |
| Education | University of Nevada, Reno |
Dawn Snelling Gibbons, born on March 9, 1954, is an American politician. She served as a member of the Nevada Assembly. She was also the First Lady of Nevada from 2007 to 2010. This was during her marriage to Governor Jim Gibbons.
Contents
About Dawn Gibbons
Her Early Life and Education
Dawn Snelling Gibbons was born in Atlanta, Georgia. She moved to Nevada when she was 20 years old. She studied at the University of Nevada, Reno. There, she earned a degree in geological studies.
Business and Family Life
After college, Dawn owned and ran two wedding chapels in Reno, Nevada. During this time, she met Jim Gibbons. He was a pilot for Delta Air Lines. They married in 1986. They have one child together, named Jimmy. Jimmy served in the United States Navy.
Her Political Career
Serving in the Nevada Assembly
In 1991, Dawn Gibbons was chosen to represent part of Washoe County. She joined the Nevada Assembly. This happened when her husband resigned his seat. He left to serve in the Persian Gulf War.
She resigned from the state legislature in April 1991. This allowed her husband to take back his seat. After her husband returned to his political role, she went back to her business career.
Elected to the Assembly
In 1998, Gibbons was elected to the Nevada Assembly on her own. She served there until 2004. In 2006, she ran for a seat in the United States House of Representatives. She wanted to take over from her husband. However, she finished third in the Republican Party primary election.
In the same election year, her husband won the election to become Governor of Nevada. This made Dawn Gibbons the First Lady of Nevada.
End of Her Term as First Lady
Dawn Gibbons' term as First Lady ended on July 21, 2010. This was when her marriage to Governor Jim Gibbons concluded.
Her Career After Politics
Media and Public Relations Work
After her time as First Lady, Gibbons focused on media and public relations. She started her own talk radio show. It was called The Dawn Gibbons Show on Fox News. Her first guests included important political figures.
Gibbons also worked as a Senior Vice President for a company called Intermountain West Communications. She continued to host radio talk shows. She co-hosted shows like the Dawn & Jim Show and the Dawn & Rory Show.
Role in Transportation Authority
In 2017, Governor Brian Sandoval appointed Gibbons to a new role. She joined the Nevada Transportation Authority. This state agency is in charge of regulating taxis, rideshare cars, limousines, and tow trucks. As of July 2025, Gibbons serves as the Chair of this Authority.
Election Information
Her Election Campaigns
- In 2006, Dawn Gibbons ran for Congress. She aimed to succeed her husband, who ran for Governor. She received 17,317 votes in the primary election.
- In 2002, Gibbons ran for the Assembly again. She won the general election with 17,426 votes.
- In 2000, she was also unopposed in the primary election. She won the general election with 12,366 votes.
- In 1998, Gibbons won the Republican primary for the 25th Assembly District. She then ran unopposed in the general election.
