Nevada governor wants his mansion back and his wife out

While he was serving with the Nevada Air Guard during the first Gulf War, she filled his Assembly seat. Later, she was elected in her own right and served three terms. Two years ago, she sought the congressional seat her husband was giving up, but lost in the primary.

In Gibbons' divorce complaint, he cited incompatibility as grounds for ending the marriage. The complaint also said "the cause of action for divorce" occurred in Reno, but offered no specifics.

Cal Dunlap, Dawn Gibbons' attorney, said she would prefer that the proceedings be public, but under state law, either party in a divorce can ask for secrecy and a judge is required to grant it.

The divorce "could hurt him if it's messy," said Green, the history professor. "When you pile this on everything else that he's been involved with, you have to question how much political capital he has. Has he become a lame duck or a crippled duck?"