Richard Bryan
Nevada’s 25th state governor
He won the governorship in 1982 and reelection in 1986. He resigned in January 1989 after election to the U.S. Senate, where his career continued alongside Nevada’s other national representatives.
Before the governor’s office
Bryan worked as a Clark County prosecutor and public defender, then served in the legislature and as attorney general. [1]
The administration in context
He won the governorship in 1982 and reelection in 1986. He resigned in January 1989 after election to the U.S. Senate, where his career continued alongside Nevada’s other national representatives. [1]
Key dates
People in the same story
Robert List
The preceding administration in Nevada’s succession. [2]
Read the profileBob Miller
The following administration in Nevada’s succession. [2]
Read the profileHarry Reid
Follow the related story in Harry Reid’s profile. [1] U.S. Senate
Read the profileIn the archive
6 matching entries in the saved collection.
1983 legislative address — Richard Bryan
An original message by Richard Bryan preserved in the Nevada Legislature’s historical address collection.
1984 legislative address — Richard Bryan
An original message by Richard Bryan preserved in the Nevada Legislature’s historical address collection.
1985 legislative address — Richard Bryan
An original message by Richard Bryan preserved in the Nevada Legislature’s historical address collection.
1986 legislative address — Richard Bryan
An original message by Richard Bryan preserved in the Nevada Legislature’s historical address collection.
1987 legislative address — Richard Bryan
An original message by Richard Bryan preserved in the Nevada Legislature’s historical address collection.
Autographed group portrait photograph of North Las Vegas Council members with Senator Richard Bryan, circa 1989
Photograph · Theron and Naomi Goynes oral history interview. Catalog date: Circa 1989.
Go deeper into the record.
Sources for this profile and starting points for further research. Access notes mark links we could not open directly during the October 3–4, 2026 checks. Historical accounts describe their own period; they do not necessarily describe current operations.
- 1
Richard Bryan — gubernatorial biography
A retrospective reference. Use the linked legislative records to investigate the administration in its own words.
- 2
Governors and State of the State addresses, 1864–present
Includes original speeches and distinguishes acting service from elected terms. A speech records proposals and claims, not proof that a policy succeeded.