Las Vegas Sun

March 28, 2024

Ensign leads money race

Rep. John Ensign, R-Nev., has amassed $488,604 in campaign contributions -- more than seven times the amount collected by his leading challenger, Democratic state Sen. Bob Coffin.

In Nevada's other congressional race, former Republican Assemblyman Jim Gibbons, an anti-tax crusader who ran against Gov. Bob Miller two years ago, has raised more than his opponents combined.

Ensign, a first-term Republican seeking re-election in Nevada's 1st Congressional District -- covering much of urban Las Vegas -- has raised $193,601 since Jan. 1, according to reports filed Monday with the Federal Elections Commission.

That amount includes $28,750 from the gaming industry and $52,498 from special-interest political action committees, including tobacco, insurance and petroleum companies.

Coffin, who pumped $50,000 of his own money into his campaign, has raised $16,235 since Jan. 1. Three other Democrats have filed for election but are not required to submit contribution reports because none has raised more than $5,000.

Ensign, a veterinarian whose father, Mike Ensign, is an executive at Circus Circus Enterprises, has built a reputation as a formidable fund-raiser. He spent about $700,000 to defeat four-term incumbent James Bilbray in 1994 and hopes to raise $1.5 million for this election.

According to Business Week, Ensign used "tenacity" and his seat on the House Ways and Means Committee to become the leading fund-raiser among Republican freshmen in 1995. Lobbyists give lavishly to Ways and Means members because that committee helps decide where billions of federal dollars are spent.

Among Ensign's largest local contributors in 1996 are the Fertitta family, which owns Station Casinos and gave more than $12,000, and Harrah's Entertainment Inc., which contributed $5,000. Others are Circus Circus executive Peter Simon and his family, who contributed $3,000; Gary Primm, president of Primadonna Resorts Inc., $1,000; and ex-MGM Grand Inc. Chairman Bob Maxey, $1,000.

Ensign also received $1,000 from Joseph Anstett, president of Silver State Disposal Service. The contribution came on March 29, about two weeks before Anstett was indicted on criminal tax charges and allegations that he misused company funds.

Ensign's chief of staff, Mark Emerson, said Ensign will keep Anstett's contribution until the indictments are resolved. "If he's found guilty, we'll return that money," Emerson said.

Political action committee donors include the American Dental PAC, $1,500; Tobacco Institute, $500; Exxon Corp. PAC, $1,000; Texaco Political Involvement, $500; Philip Morris PAC, $500; Coal PAC, $500; New York Life PAC, $500; and Sony Pictures Entertainment Inc., $500.

To date, Ensign has spent $44,389 on consulting fees, staff salaries, printing and other campaign expenses.

Votes vs. money

Coffin contends that money is not as important as voter turnout.

Democrats outnumber Republicans in the 1st Congressional District by about 30,000.

"We need a better-than-average turnout," Coffin said. "Turnout is usually better in a presidential election year."

Coffin has benefited from pro-union TV ads, financed by the national AFL-CIO, attacking Ensign for voting against an increase in the federal minimum wage, which has been $4.25 an hour since 1991.

Because Coffin's campaign did not pay for the ads, he does not have to report them as an expense.

The AFL-CIO has budgeted $35 million to defeat congressmen, most of whom, like Ensign, are Republicans with anti-union voting records.

"It's a shame that so much outside money is coming into our state to try and influence our election process," Ensign said in a prepared statement.

At this early stage, Coffin is trying to avoid a one-issue showdown that positions him as anti-business. Such a stance could antagonize the casino industry, which generally tries to block legislation strengthening unions.

Coffin is quick to note that much of his campaign money has come from contributors associated with business and casino ventures, including El Cortez hotel-casino owner Jackie Gaughan, $1,000; former casino executive Burton Cohen, $500; and Mirage Resorts Inc. attorney and former federal prosecutor Stanley Hunterton, $1,000.

Coffin also has received money from the American Federation of State, County and Municipal Employees, $2,500; and the Association of Trial Lawyers, $3,000.

Coffin, an insurance consultant who also sells rare Western books out of his house, has spent $4,024, mostly for printing, consulting and announcement expenses.

Gibbons funds

In the 2nd Congressional District, Gibbons, a commercial airline pilot, leads all candidates combined in raising money to succeed Rep. Barbara Vucanovich, R-Nev., who is retiring after seven two-year terms.

Gibbons collected $116,333 in the first quarter of 1996. Money raised in the final quarter of 1995 lifts his total to $128.982. Gibbons has spent about $73,188 and has $47,667 in the bank.

Gibbons has lent his campaign $7,500. His largest donor to date is the American Federation of State, County and Municipal Employees, which contributed $2,500.

Nevada Treasurer Bob Seale received $53,254 and has $33,742 remaining. Seale has lent $20,100 to his campaign. His largest contribution is $3,000 from William Diehl, and family. Diehl is president of Karemore Corp., a Phoenix-based vitamin supplement firm. Seale also received $2,000 from former Lt. Gov. Bob Cashell and his wife, Nancy, of Reno.

Vucanovich's daughter, former state Treasurer Patty Cafferata, has raised $43,000 and has $25,000 left. Cafferata resigned Monday from her post as Lander County district attorney to concentrate on campaigning.

Cafferata said she has received about $8,000 from political action committees, the largest being a $5,000 contribution from the American Medical Association. Her husband, Treat, is a Reno surgeon.

Democrat David Ward, a television advertising executive, reported he has raised $13,000 and has lent the campaign $7,000.

Ward's largest contributors include Jack Stanko, owner of a Chevrolet dealership in Reno, who gave $1,000.

Three Democrats, including former legal prostitute Jessi Winchester, have not raised the $5,000 limit required for submitting a report.

The 2nd District encompasses all of Nevada except urban parts of Las Vegas, North Las Vegas and Henderson. About 30 percent of the vote is in Southern Nevada. Republicans outnumber Democrats by about 37,000 voters.

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