LAS VEGAS – Former Nevada Gov. Kenny Guinn died Thursday after falling from the roof of his home in Las Vegas, the Clark County coroner said.

Coroner Mike Murphy told The Associated Press that the cause of the accident was being investigated.

The 73-year-old Republican, the predecessor to current Gov. Jim Gibbons, was pronounced dead at University Medical Center after being taken there following the fall, according to law enforcement, school and hospital officials.

Billy Vassiliadis, spokesman for the Guinn family at the hospital, said Guinn had been on the roof making repairs.

Police responded about 11 a.m. to a report that a man had been injured in a fall at Guinn’s home, and the man was transported to UMC, said Las Vegas police Officer Bill Cassell.

Guinn was a Democrat-turned-moderate Republican who served two terms as governor from 1998 to 2007.

He was elected amid criticism that he was the handpicked candidate of powerful special interests.

During his tenure, he overhauled government agency operations, revamped budgeting and tax collections, pushed for a major student scholarship program and sought to diversify Nevada’s casino-dependent economy. Guinn also spearheaded the biggest tax increase in state history — and then wanted to return to residents $300 million in excess revenues.

Previously, Guinn served as a Clark County school superintendent.

Murphy said Thursday that family members, including Guinn’s wife, Dema Guinn, had been notified of his death.

 

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