Paul Laxalt (born August 2, 1922) was a Governor and Senator from the U.S. state of Nevada. He is a Republican. Paul Laxalt was born in Reno, Nevada, the son of a Basque shepherd. He served in the U.S. Army during World War II. Later, he graduated from the University of Denver in 1949. He was the district attorney for Ormsby County, Nevada between 1950 and 1954.
Paul Laxalt became the lieutenant governor of Nevada in 1963 and served until 1966. He served as the Governor between 1966 and 1970. He later served as US Senator for Nevada from 1974 to 1986.
During his time as governor, Paul Laxalt became close friends with Ronald Reagan, who was then governor of California. During Reagan's presidency, Paul Laxalt was sometimes referred to as the "First Friend" (cf. First Lady). Paul Laxalt chaired Reagan's presidential campaigns in 1976 and 1980 and placed his name in nomination at the Republican National Conventions of 1980 and 1984. This friendship partially explains the high proportion of Filipinos in Nevada as compared to other states. When the government of Ferdinand Marcos fell, Reagan asked his friend to help provide a place for exiled officials and businessmen connected with that government to settle.
Paul Laxalt's brother, Robert Laxalt, was a noted and prolific writer.
Between his terms as Governor and Senator, Paul Laxalt built and operated the Ormsby House hotel and casino in Carson City, Nevada.
Preceded by: Maude Frazier Lieutenant Governor of Nevada 1963-1967 Succeeded by: Edward Fike Preceded by: Grant Sawyer Governor of Nevada 1967-1971 Succeeded by: Mike O'Callaghan Preceded by: Alan H. Bible U.S. Senator (Class 3) from Nevada 1974-1986 Succeeded by: Harry Reid Governors of Nevada Blasdel • Bradley • Kinkead • Adams • Stevenson • Bell • Colcord • Jones • Sadler • Sparks • Dickerson • Oddie • Boyle • Scrugham • Balzar • Griswold • Kirman • Carville • Pittman • Russell • Sawyer • Laxalt • O'Callaghan • List • Bryan • Miller • Guinn
