It looks like the attempt by Assembly Minority Leader Pat Hickey to get Lisa Krasner to drop out of the Assembly District 26 race has backfired.

Krasner was adamant that she would not quit, in an email received Thursday night.

Krasner advanced to the general election despite finishing second to incumbent Assemblyman Randy Kirner, R-Reno, because the district did not have any non-partisan; Democratic or third-party candidates. Plus, Kirner needed to get 50 percent of the vote – plus one more vote – to win outright and avoid a general-election runoff with Krasner.

Krasner’s statement about staying in the race drips with indignation that Hickey would have the gall to ask her to quit.

“I am still in the Assembly District 26 race for the November general election. I am not stepping out of the race,” Krasner said in a statement.

“What is noteworthy is that in the primary election, Randy Kirner had 58 percent of the Republicans vote against him! (when you add up the votes for myself and third-place finisher Robb Archie),” she said.

Krasner questioned if Hickey’s request to quit raises an issue about her gender. This could negatively impact Kirner. He will have to tread lightly to avoid gender becoming a campaign issue. But to Krasner, maybe it already is.

“By the way, I wonder if they would treat a male candidate this way?” Krasner said about the request for her to quit. “Or is this type of conduct just because I am a woman?

“The image of the old white male Republican just isn’t selling anymore,” Krasner said. “I think it is time that the Republican Party is more inclusive, and reaches out to women and minorities.”

She’s a fired up candidate, now: “Release the Krasner!”