Lisa Krasner qualified for the general election by finishing second in a three-person primary. If Kirner had gotten 50 percent of the vote – plus one more vote – he would have won re-election outright in the primary, according to Nevada law.

Yet Assembly Minority Leader Pat Hickey said Thursday during the taping of the Nevada Newsmakers TV show that he would try to persuade Krasner to drop out of the race.

“I don’t think there is a foreseeable path for her to win in the general election,” Hickey said. “And I would encourage Lisa Krasner, in fact I have a call into her, to consider folding up the tent, and become a friend of Randy Kirner.”

Krasner did not immediately return a phone call or email Thursday seeking comment. Hickey said that perhaps Krasner could learn from Kirner and stand a better chance of winning in a future election.

Kirner received 42 percent of the vote in Tuesday’s primary. Krasner took 33.5 percent while Robb Archie finished third with 24.5 percent.

“He (Kirner) is a member of the same party,” Hickey said. “Why not mentor with him? He is not going to be there (in the Assembly) forever. I predict there is no way she can beat Kirner in the general election, which will be proven if she decides to continue her campaign.”

Krasner has campaigned as a conservative. She signed the Taxpayers Protection Pledge, vowing not to vote for new taxes or tax increases, if elected. She has been highly critical of Kirner for his role in moving the Washoe County school tax bill (AB46) from the Legislature to the Washoe Commission, where it was killed late last year.

“My opponent engineered a plan to circumvent the Nevada Constitution and do an end-around the constitution, which requires a two-thirds majority in both houses (of the Legislature) or a vote of the people,” Krasner said during a public debate with Kirner earlier this year.

“That type of back-door legislation and those type of shenanigans are exactly why people lose faith in their elected officials and why people lose faith in their government,” Krasner said.

Hickey’s call for Krasner to drop out came as a surprise during the taping of Nevada Newsmakers. It was prompted by a question asking Hickey if Krasner scored a moral victory by finishing second in the primary, staying alive in the race.