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 Elko, NV.  The Basque-American politician, Adam Laxalt participated in the Elko National Basque Festival parade last weekend coinciding with the Fourth of July Holiday.  His campaign in full swing for the office of Nevada’s Attorney General, the Republican took advantage of this opportunity to greet neighbors and show his pride for his Basque roots.

EuskalKultura.com was there and our curiosity was aroused about this politician whose surname is among the most prominent Basque-American families in Nevada.  His grandfather is Senator Paul Laxalt, and great uncle is Robert Laxalt, but until recently he was little known in Nevada.  Who is Adam Laxalt?

Son of a single mother

Raised by a single mother, Michelle, he studied law at Georgetown University and served in Iraq as a US Marine for five years.  He is married and has one daughter and after returning from Iraq, he settled in Nevada.   Laxalt counts big names in the Republican Party among his supporters such as former Secretary of Defense, Donald Rumsfeld along with his grandfather Paul Laxalt, at the age of 91, who remains a heavyweight in politics despite his advanced age. 

[Adam Laxalt during Elko’s National Basque Festival Parade (photoEuskalKultura.com)]

[Adam Laxalt greeting the public at the parade (photoEuskalKultura.com)]

Reagan’s “best friend”

Paul Laxalt – son of a Zuberoan sheepherder named Dominique Laxalt and Baxenavarrese mother Therese – was the Governor of Nevada and the state’s Senator in Washington.  He was one of Ronald Reagan’s closest friends. They met during their years as governors, when Reagan was the Governor of California, and Laxalt of Nevada and they collaborated on differenet projects such as protecting Lake Tahoe.  When Reagan was elected President in 1980, the press began calling Laxalt “his best friend.”

During his time in the Senate, Laxalt led various commissions and legislative proposals.  He was known as a direct man who never let political differences affect his personal relationships.  When he retired from the Senate, Democratic Senator Ted Kennedy, said: “Paul Laxalt may be Ronald Reagan’s best friend, but you can also say that he is the senator with the most friends on either side of the aisle.