Dennis Hof, Nevada's bombastic legal pimp and Assembly candidate, has died

Editor's note: This is a breaking news story and is being updated as new information is reported.

Dennis Hof, the bombastic legal pimp who made waves for clinching the GOP nomination for a Nevada legislative seat this year, has died. He was 72.

Nye County Commissioner John Koenig confirmed the news Tuesday at a commission meeting, according to Nye County spokesman Arnold Knightly.

Hof "went to sleep last night and didn't wake up," Koenig said, according to Knightly.

The Nye County Sheriff's Office said Hof died at the Love Ranch in Crystal, Nev. Deputies are investigating.

Hof's campaign manager Chuck Muth was the first to announce the news in a tweet on Tuesday morning.

I just confirmed with Nye County sheriff’s deputy that Dennis Hof passed away this morning. No other details at this point. I’m heading out to Love Ranch Vegas now. Official statement will come once I learn more. — Chuck Muth (@ChuckMuth) October 16, 2018

In an interview with the Reno Gazette Journal, Muth said, “I wish there was something I could tell you. I’m on my way up there now to find out exactly what the hell happened. I got a call from his assistant, in tears saying Dennis died and I need you to come out here immediately, I can't deal with this myself."

Sheriff Joe now regaling the crowd. They love Joe! pic.twitter.com/3GbnRPWTqG — Chuck Muth (@ChuckMuth) October 16, 2018

Hof celebrated his birthday Monday evening with the likes of former Maricopa County Sheriff Joe Arpaio and other conservative personalities. Fox News pundit Tucker Carlson called in to wish Hof a happy birthday, according to Muth's Twitter feed.

“We had a wonderful event last night. He was having the time of his life last night. Grover Norquist was there," Muth told the RGJ. "Ron Jeremy was there. He was given a rescue dog as a birthday present. He was having the time of his life.”

Muth said there was no indication Hof wasn’t feeling well Monday night. Muth said Jeremy found Hof's body Tuesday morning when he went to go wake him up.

By late Tuesday afternoon, Muth issued a statement about Hof's death, saying the brothel owner died sometime in his sleep Tuesday morning.

"He was discovered by longtime friend Ron Jeremy – who went to his room to wake him for a scheduled lunch at the Pahrump Senior Center – around 11:00 a.m.," Muth said. "No cause of death has been determined. The Clark County coroner will conduct an autopsy."

Just arrived on-scene at Love Ranch Vegas. Dennis died quietly in his sleep. Ron Jeremy found him this morning when he went to wake him to go to a meeting in Pahrump. Investigation still going on. — Chuck Muth (@ChuckMuth) October 16, 2018

In an email sent to the Reno Gazette Journal on Tuesday, Norquist said he left shortly after speaking at Hof's birthday party.

"He was a friend and political ally. His commitment to stopping more tax hikes and to rolling back some of the tax hikes of the past few years was an important voice in Nevada politics," Norquist said. "I think he could have made a big difference in the direction of Nevada towards limited government and lower taxes. He was so full of energy and life yesterday."

Arpaio told The Arizona Republic on Tuesday that he was surprised by Hof's death. He confirmed that he gave a speech at Hoff’s birthday party just hours before he died.

“He’s a very big supporter of Trump, you know, his agenda. He asked me to speak, which I did,” Arpaio told the Republic. “Then he passed away. I can’t believe it. I just left him, 12 hours ago.”

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Hof's name will still be on the ballot this November

Hof upended local politics this summer when he ousted an incumbent state lawmaker in a GOP primary.

The political ramifications of Hof's death remain unclear.

His name will still appear on general election ballots in November, though signs will be placed at all Assembly District 36 polling places to notify voters of Hof's death.

If Hof still secures the most votes in the heavily Republican district, the seat would be considered vacant and in need of an appointed representative, said Wayne Thorley, Nevada's deputy secretary of state for elections.

Thorley deferred further comment on that appointment to the Legislative Counsel Bureau, which did not immediately return requests for comment.

State law says that vacancies in legislative districts that span multiple counties, like District 36, will be filled via a convoluted joint meeting process headed by county commissioners — in this case, county leaders from Nye, Lincoln and Clark counties.

Hof's appointed replacement would also have to be a fellow Republican who resides in the district.

Hof's campaign opponent, Democratic nominee Lesia Romanov, did not immediately return requests for comment.

Gov. Brian Sandoval relayed his sympathies in a brief statement on Tuesday afternoon.

"Governor Sandoval extends his condolences to Mr. Hof’s family and friends," wrote Mary-Sarah Kinner, a spokeswoman for the term-limited Republican governor.

The Nevada Assembly Republican Caucus — which opted not to support Hof in the wake of his June primary victory over incumbent Assemblyman James Oscarson, R-Pahrump — said in a brief statement its members were saddened to hear of Hof's death.

"Our thoughts and prayers are with his family and friends during this challenging time," wrote Eric Roberts, the caucus' executive director.

Oscarson, reached by phone Tuesday afternoon, also offered his thoughts and prayers for Hof's family.

He said it was "premature to even think about" the possibility of being appointed to again represent his home district.

Competing brothel owner Lance Gilman, who owns the Mustang Ranch, also offered condolences.

"It is with great sadness we received the news of the passing of Dennis Hof," he said in a written statement. "We send our deepest condolences to his friends and those who work for him. They will be foremost in all our thoughts and prayers here at the Mustang Ranch."

MORE: Nevada pimp, Assembly candidate Dennis Hof loses brothel license

Hof's history

Hof's four Lyon County brothels are the Moonlite Bunny Ranch, Kit Kat Guest House, Love Hotel and Sagebrush.

In September, the Nevada Department of Public Safety said it was investigating him because of a request from the Carson City Sheriff’s office.

The Las Vegas Review-Journal reported that three former prostitutes accused Hof of sexual assault in 2005, 2009 and 2011 at his Bunny Ranch brothel near Carson City and Love Ranch brothel outside Las Vegas. Hof denied the allegations. Prosecutors declined to file, citing the expired statute of limitations.

Hof lost his Washoe Valley home in the 2016 Little Valley Fire in Washoe Valley.

He was a media celebrity for years.

He made headlines with Bill Clinton when several of his brothel employees got their picture taken with the former president at a charity event. He posted bail for presumed Liberace lover Jess Marlow, aka Scott, Thorson before Marlow was sentenced for burglary and identity theft.

And he promoted a "Get My Grandpa Laid" contest on the "Howard Stern Show."

In 2015, he published "The Art of the Pimp," an autobiography.

Hof's campaign website says his parents were immigrants to America, settling in Chicago and moving to Arizona in 1945. Hof was born on Oct. 14, 1945, according to the site.

Robert Anglen and Yvonne Wingett Sanchez of The Arizona Republic contributed to this report.

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