Laxalt had become close friends with Ronald Reagan during his time as governor , when Reagan was also in his first term as governor of neighboring California . They worked on many issues of mutual interest to both states , particularly those dealing with the preservation of Lake Tahoe . During Reagan 's presidency , Laxalt was sometimes referred to as " The First Friend " . Laxalt was national chairman of three Reagan presidential campaigns and placed Reagan 's name in nomination at the Republican National Conventions of 1976 , 1980 , and 1984 . During the 1980 Republican National Convention , Laxalt 's name was floated as a potential Vice Presidential nominee for the Reagan ticket , but George H. W. Bush was chosen instead . At the behest of President Reagan , Laxalt served in the then-unprecedented role of General Chairman of the Republican Party from 1983 to 1987 . In fact , during Laxalt 's second Senate term , due in large measure to his relationship with Reagan , several Nevadans came to Washington , D.C. to serve in prominent governmental and campaign positions . His long-time aide , Barbara Vucanovich , had been elected to serve in the House in 1982 , becoming the first female elected to a federal position from Nevada . A long-time friend and prominent Nevada trial attorney , Frank Fahrenkopf , was elected to serve as Chairman of the Republican National Committee where he helped oversee Reagan 's re-election and the 1988 election of President George H. W. Bush . Bob Broadbent of Boulder City became Assistant Secretary for Water and Science in the Department of the Interior ; Bob Horton of Reno became Director of the Bureau of Mines ; Cameron Batjer of Reno , a former Nevada Supreme Court Justice , served on the U.S. Sentencing Commission ; Reese Taylor of Las Vegas served as Chairman of the Interstate Commerce Commission ; and Ed Allison of Reno , Sig Rogich of Las Vegas , and Ralph V. Whitworth of Winnemucca all served in key roles in Reagan 's 1984 re-election campaign . In early 1987 , Laxalt was at the top of the short list to replace Donald Regan as White House Chief of Staff , but he declined because he intended to run for President in 1988 . Instead , he recommended former U.S. Senate Majority Leader Majority Howard Baker , who took the job
1980 Republican National Convention
1980 Republican National Convention
Paul Laxalt