A Reno lawyer who played a bruising style of basketball at the University of Idaho is the first Republican in the race to deny Sen. Harry Reid, D-Nev., a fifth term.

Chuck Kozak, 66, will be in Idaho this weekend and appear from 6 to 8 a.m. Saturday on 580 KIDO. Kozak was a four-year letterman at U of I from 1961-65, whose durability at forward earned him the nickname "Chuck the Truck."

Kozak graduated from U of I law school in 1968; his study partner was current GOP Sen. Jim Risch. "Jim told me I shouldn't run, but when I insisted, he said he'd help," Kozak said Thursday.

Said Risch: "Chuck is a bright and talented guy who is very personable, and in my opinion will make an excellent candidate."

Kozak spoke by phone from Washington, D.C., where he met with Texas Sen. John Cornyn, who leads the National Republican Senatorial Committee. Kozak said he's making the race whether or not Congressman Dean Heller runs. Heller was the GOP's top early choice, but the sex scandal involving Nevada's junior senator, Republican John Ensign, has put off a decision by Heller.

"We're in for the long haul now," Kozak said. "(Heller's) had his chance and he's not come forward."

Kozak said Risch told him a first-time candidate was too green to face Reid, who has raised $10.3 million. Kozak said he has pledges for about $20,000 so far.

But Kozak said voters want change. "Nevadans are sick to death of politicians who go back to Washington and don't represent what they want - fiscal responsibility and freedom from all this government control."

A June Las Vegas Review-Journal poll showed 34 percent of voters had a favorable opinion of Reid and 46 percent saw him unfavorably.

But Reid vows to raise $25 million for the race - more than triple the $7 million he spent winning 61 percent of the vote in 2004. Kozak said anything more than $8 million is wasteful in a Nevada race. "We're not going to raise as much as he will, but we will raise enough to bring him down because he's out of touch with Nevadans."

Dan Popkey: 377-6438