Derby elected state party leader

Democrats elected Jill Derby as the next state party chairman on Saturday.

Derby will work to organize a second-in-the-nation presidential caucus on Jan. 19 and win the state for a Democratic presidential candidate in 2008.

Derby was elected after former state party Chairman Tom Collins announced he would not seek reelection.

Instead, Collins will focus on his duties as a co-chairman of the Nevada Caucus Commission and his reelection to the Clark County Commission in 2008.

Derby, an 18-year member of the Board of Regents, won national attention in the 2006 election, when she came within 5 percentage points of winning Congressional District 2, one of the most Republican districts in the country.

"During my campaign, I moved beyond political labels to seek the right solutions for our state, reaching out to all Nevadans. That's what I will do as state chair," Derby said.

"I look forward to working with Democrats around the state to encourage strong, independent leadership and continue to build our party."