Danny Tarkanian
Encyclopedia
Daniel John "Danny" Tarkanian (born December 18, 1961) is an American real estate
and small business owner. In 2004, Tarkanian ran for the Nevada Senate
and lost the general election. In 2006, he won the Republican nomination for Nevada Secretary of State, but lost in the general election. In 2010 he was a Republican
primary candidate for U.S. Senator, losing to Sharron Angle
.
, the third of four children. He is the son of Jerry Tarkanian
, a former prominent UNLV basketball coach, and Lois Tarkanian (née Huter), a Las Vegas
City Councilwoman, educator of handicapped children, administrator, and a Co-founder for California's first private school for the deaf.
When Tarkanian was teenager, he moved into three different California cities (Riverside
, Pasadena
, Huntington Beach
) because his father advanced in his professional career.
The Tarkanian family moved to Nevada
in 1973 while Danny was 12. He attended Hyde Park Junior High School and later Bishop Gorman High School
. He achieved honors in all four years.
After graduating high school, he spent one year at Dixie State College of Utah
, before becoming a student-athlete at UNLV and being coached by his own father.
.
He played basketball one season at Dixie State, where his team to the regional playoffs. He was named the school’s Male Freshman of the Year.
Danny played 3 seasons, 1981–1984, for the UNLV Runnin' Rebels basketball
. He was the starting point guard and captain. In his sophomore year, his team won 24 straight games and was ranked Number One nationally.
He was drafted by the San Antonio Spurs
in the 1984 NBA Draft
in Round 8.
Following graduation, Danny attended University of San Diego School of Law
, where he finished third in his class.
In 1995, Jerry Tarkanian
became the head coach for the Fresno State Bulldogs
basketball team at Fresno State
, where Danny joined his father as an assistant coach. The team qualified for the post-season every year during Tarkanian's tenure.
Danny moved back to Las Vegas following his father’s retirement. He started a real estate investment business and he co-founded the Tarkanian Basketball Academy.
Leif Reid, son of Nevada U.S. Senator
Harry Reid
, testified that Tarkanian was not part of the investigation into the companies. On July 31, a Clark County
District Court jury ruled in Tarkanian's favor and awarded him $50,000 in damages. On August 3, Schneider agreed to pay a $150,000 settlement in the case.
, the son of former Nevada governor Bob Miller
in the general election.
, who is currently the Senate Majority Leader. Before other candidates entered the primary, Tarkanian was the front-runner for the Republican nomination. Former Nevada Republican Chairwoman Sue Lowden and Former Assemblywoman Sharron Angle entered the primary field shortly after Tarkanian's announcement and quickly overtook him in the polls. However, polls comparing the hypothetical matches of the leading Republicans versus Reid indicated a slight edge for Tarkanian: In the average of three polls taken from May 28 to June 3, Tarkanian polled 2% higher than Lowden and 3% higher than Angle against Reid. Those polls indicated Tarkanian had a lead of about 1% over Reid.
Angle won the nomination with Tarkanian finishing third in the field. Angle ultimately lost the general election to Reid.
and they have three daughters and one son: Lois, Ashley, Ava, and Jerry Jr. In 2011, Amy Tarkanian was elected chairwoman of the Nevada Republican Party
.
Real estate
In general use, esp. North American, 'real estate' is taken to mean "Property consisting of land and the buildings on it, along with its natural resources such as crops, minerals, or water; immovable property of this nature; an interest vested in this; an item of real property; buildings or...
and small business owner. In 2004, Tarkanian ran for the Nevada Senate
Nevada Senate
The Nevada Senate is the upper house of the Nevada Legislature, the state legislature of U.S. state of Nevada. The Senate consists of 21 members from 19 districts, two of which are multimember. Each senator represented approximately 94,700 people as of the 2000 census, although 2006 Census Bureau...
and lost the general election. In 2006, he won the Republican nomination for Nevada Secretary of State, but lost in the general election. In 2010 he was a Republican
Republican Party (United States)
The Republican Party is one of the two major contemporary political parties in the United States, along with the Democratic Party. Founded by anti-slavery expansion activists in 1854, it is often called the GOP . The party's platform generally reflects American conservatism in the U.S...
primary candidate for U.S. Senator, losing to Sharron Angle
Sharron Angle
Sharron Elaine Angle is an American politician who served as a Republican member of the Nevada Assembly from 1999 to 2007. She ran unsuccessfully as the 2010 Republican nominee for the U.S. Senate seat in Nevada, garnering 45 percent of the vote...
.
Early life
Tarkanian was born in Redlands, CaliforniaRedlands, California
Redlands is a city in San Bernardino County, California, United States. As of the 2010 census, the city had a population of 68,747, up from 63,591 at the 2000 census. The city is located east of downtown San Bernardino.- History :...
, the third of four children. He is the son of Jerry Tarkanian
Jerry Tarkanian
Jerry Tarkanian , also known as "Tark the Shark", is a retired college basketball coach known as one of the winningest coaches in college basketball history...
, a former prominent UNLV basketball coach, and Lois Tarkanian (née Huter), a Las Vegas
Las Vegas, Nevada
Las Vegas is the most populous city in the U.S. state of Nevada and is also the county seat of Clark County, Nevada. Las Vegas is an internationally renowned major resort city for gambling, shopping, and fine dining. The city bills itself as The Entertainment Capital of the World, and is famous...
City Councilwoman, educator of handicapped children, administrator, and a Co-founder for California's first private school for the deaf.
When Tarkanian was teenager, he moved into three different California cities (Riverside
Riverside, California
Riverside is a city in Riverside County, California, United States, and the county seat of the eponymous county. Named for its location beside the Santa Ana River, it is the largest city in the Riverside-San Bernardino-Ontario metropolitan area of Southern California, 4th largest inland California...
, Pasadena
Pasadena, California
Pasadena is a city in Los Angeles County, California, United States. Although famous for hosting the annual Rose Bowl football game and Tournament of Roses Parade, Pasadena is the home to many scientific and cultural institutions, including the California Institute of Technology , the Jet...
, Huntington Beach
Huntington Beach, California
Huntington Beach is a seaside city in Orange County in Southern California. According to the 2010 census, the city population was 189,992; making it the largest beach city in Orange County in terms of population...
) because his father advanced in his professional career.
The Tarkanian family moved to Nevada
Nevada
Nevada is a state in the western, mountain west, and southwestern regions of the United States. With an area of and a population of about 2.7 million, it is the 7th-largest and 35th-most populous state. Over two-thirds of Nevada's people live in the Las Vegas metropolitan area, which contains its...
in 1973 while Danny was 12. He attended Hyde Park Junior High School and later Bishop Gorman High School
Bishop Gorman High School
Bishop Gorman High School is a Roman Catholic private preparatory school located in Summerlin, in Clark County, Nevada, United States serving the Las Vegas area for over 50 years. The school is administered by the Diocese of Las Vegas...
. He achieved honors in all four years.
After graduating high school, he spent one year at Dixie State College of Utah
Dixie State College of Utah
Dixie State College of Utah is a college located in St. George, Utah, United States.-History:...
, before becoming a student-athlete at UNLV and being coached by his own father.
Athletics
At Bishop Gorman High School, he played both basketball and football, and both sports teams went into the playoffs and won state championships. In basketball, he played point guard. In football, he played QB and was named All-Conference and All-State at his position twice. He was also named the Nevada’s Most Valuable PlayerMost Valuable Player
In sports, a Most Valuable Player award is an honor typically bestowed upon the best performing player or players on a specific team, in an entire league, or for a particular contest or series of contests...
.
He played basketball one season at Dixie State, where his team to the regional playoffs. He was named the school’s Male Freshman of the Year.
Danny played 3 seasons, 1981–1984, for the UNLV Runnin' Rebels basketball
UNLV Runnin' Rebels basketball
The UNLV Runnin' Rebels are a NCAA Division I men's basketball team who play at the Thomas & Mack Center in Paradise, Nevada. Their most recent appearance in the NCAA Tournament was in 2011 when they received an at–large bid to the NCAA Men's Division I Basketball Tournament, earning an 8-seed in...
. He was the starting point guard and captain. In his sophomore year, his team won 24 straight games and was ranked Number One nationally.
He was drafted by the San Antonio Spurs
San Antonio Spurs
The San Antonio Spurs are an American professional basketball team based in San Antonio, Texas. They are part of the Southwest Division of the Western Conference in the National Basketball Association ....
in the 1984 NBA Draft
1984 NBA Draft
The 1984 NBA Draft was the 38th annual draft of the National Basketball Association . The draft was held at the Felt Forum at Madison Square Garden in New York City, New York on June 19, 1984 before the 1984–85 season. The draft was broadcast in the United States on the USA Network. In this draft,...
in Round 8.
Academics
At UNLV, Danny was twice named First-Team Academic All-American by the NCAA. He was the school’s first Rhodes Scholar candidate and received the NCAA post-graduate award.Following graduation, Danny attended University of San Diego School of Law
University of San Diego School of Law
The University of San Diego School of Law, commonly referred to as USD Law, is a law school located on the campus of the University of San Diego in San Diego, California in the community of Linda Vista. Founded in 1954, the law school has held ABA approval since 1961...
, where he finished third in his class.
Professional career
Danny passed the Nevada Bar Exam and practiced law for eight years, four as proprietor of his own firm.In 1995, Jerry Tarkanian
Jerry Tarkanian
Jerry Tarkanian , also known as "Tark the Shark", is a retired college basketball coach known as one of the winningest coaches in college basketball history...
became the head coach for the Fresno State Bulldogs
Fresno State Bulldogs
The Fresno State Bulldogs represent California State University, Fresno in 19 NCAA Division I sports. The teams have been members of the Western Athletic Conference since 1992. Before that, it had been a member of the Big West Conference since 1969...
basketball team at Fresno State
California State University, Fresno
California State University, Fresno, often referred to as Fresno State University and synonymously known in athletics as Fresno State , is one of the leading campuses of the California State University system, located at the northeast edge of Fresno, California, USA.The campus sits at the foot of...
, where Danny joined his father as an assistant coach. The team qualified for the post-season every year during Tarkanian's tenure.
Danny moved back to Las Vegas following his father’s retirement. He started a real estate investment business and he co-founded the Tarkanian Basketball Academy.
Campaign
On May 4, 2004 Tarkanian filed to run in Nevada's 11th District (map) against incumbent Michael A. Schneider.
Results
Aftermath
Following the election, Tarkanian successfully sued his Democratic opponent for defamation. During the campaign, Schneider accused Tarkanian of setting up telemarketing companies that ran scams victimizing senior citizens and that he turned "state's evidence" against the telemarketers to avoid being prosecuted. Tarkanian practiced civil law until 1995 and stated that he helped set up the companies, but had no involvement in the day-to-day operations of any of them was not aware that any of the companies were already engaged in illegal activity at the time that he helped to set them up. The case went to trial on July 27, 2009. Schneider stood by statements he made in a 2004 debate with Tarkanian and in campaign ads and fliers accusing Tarkanian. Former assistant U.S. AttorneyUnited States Attorney
United States Attorneys represent the United States federal government in United States district court and United States court of appeals. There are 93 U.S. Attorneys stationed throughout the United States, Puerto Rico, the U.S. Virgin Islands, Guam, and the Northern Mariana Islands...
Leif Reid, son of Nevada U.S. Senator
United States Senate
The United States Senate is the upper house of the bicameral legislature of the United States, and together with the United States House of Representatives comprises the United States Congress. The composition and powers of the Senate are established in Article One of the U.S. Constitution. Each...
Harry Reid
Harry Reid
Harry Mason Reid is the senior United States Senator from Nevada, serving since 1987. A member of the Democratic Party, he has been the Senate Majority Leader since January 2007, having previously served as Minority Leader and Minority and Majority Whip.Previously, Reid was a member of the U.S...
, testified that Tarkanian was not part of the investigation into the companies. On July 31, a Clark County
Clark County, Nevada
-Demographics:As of the census of 2000, there were 1,375,765 people, 512,253 households, and 339,693 families residing within the MSA. The racial makeup of the MSA was 71.6% White , 9.1% Black, 5.7% Asian, 0.8% American Indian and 12.8% of other or mixed race. 22.0% were Hispanic of any race...
District Court jury ruled in Tarkanian's favor and awarded him $50,000 in damages. On August 3, Schneider agreed to pay a $150,000 settlement in the case.
Campaign
In December 2005, Tarkanian announced his second bid for public office, this time a statewide election for Nevada Secretary of State. He defeated Brian Scroggins in the Republican primary and faced Democratic nominee Ross MillerRoss Miller
Ross James Miller is an American politician of the Democratic Party and the current Secretary of State of Nevada. Elected at the age of 30, he was the youngest Secretary of State in the history of Nevada and the youngest Secretary of State in the country at the time of his election.-Education and...
, the son of former Nevada governor Bob Miller
Bob Miller (Nevada governor)
Robert Joseph "Bob" Miller is an American politician. He was the 26th Governor of the U.S. state of Nevada from 1989 to 1999. He is a member of the Democratic Party....
in the general election.
Results
Campaign
In 2009, Tarkanian announced that he would run against Democratic U.S. Senator Harry ReidHarry Reid
Harry Mason Reid is the senior United States Senator from Nevada, serving since 1987. A member of the Democratic Party, he has been the Senate Majority Leader since January 2007, having previously served as Minority Leader and Minority and Majority Whip.Previously, Reid was a member of the U.S...
, who is currently the Senate Majority Leader. Before other candidates entered the primary, Tarkanian was the front-runner for the Republican nomination. Former Nevada Republican Chairwoman Sue Lowden and Former Assemblywoman Sharron Angle entered the primary field shortly after Tarkanian's announcement and quickly overtook him in the polls. However, polls comparing the hypothetical matches of the leading Republicans versus Reid indicated a slight edge for Tarkanian: In the average of three polls taken from May 28 to June 3, Tarkanian polled 2% higher than Lowden and 3% higher than Angle against Reid. Those polls indicated Tarkanian had a lead of about 1% over Reid.
Angle won the nomination with Tarkanian finishing third in the field. Angle ultimately lost the general election to Reid.
Results
Personal life
In October 2001, Danny married Amy Hanson. The couple currently lives in Las VegasLas Vegas metropolitan area
The Las Vegas Valley is the heart of the Las Vegas-Paradise, NV MSA also known as the Las Vegas–Paradise–Henderson MSA which includes all of Clark County, Nevada, and is a metropolitan area in the southern part of the U.S. state of Nevada. The Valley is defined by the Las Vegas Valley landform, a ...
and they have three daughters and one son: Lois, Ashley, Ava, and Jerry Jr. In 2011, Amy Tarkanian was elected chairwoman of the Nevada Republican Party
Nevada Republican Party
The Nevada Republican Party is the affiliate of the United States Republican Party in Nevada. The Republican Party promotes the beliefs that individuals, not the government, make the best decisions. -History:...
.