14 vie for lieutenant governor’s post

Art Nadler

Thursday, Aug. 27, 1998 | 11:22 a.m.

The race for lieutenant governor has drawn 14 candidates for a job that is considered a heartbeat away from the governor's mansion.

The leading candidate for the job is Clark County Commissioner Lorraine Hunt. She is passing up a second commission term in hopes of working full-time on bringing more tourism and economic development to Nevada.

She sees the office as a "top business person's" position, and she also is pledging to help develop distribution centers, light manufacturing plants, motion picture and multimedia facilities and other global enterprises within the state.

Hunt, 59, says her strongest attribute is her many years as a public servant and successful businesswoman.

F. Fuller Royal, 64, wants to balance the state's budget by streamlining expenditures and holding all state agencies accountable. He wants minimal sentence reductions in cases involving violent crimes and is opposed to legalizing any drugs for purposes other than for medical needs.

Royal, who is a physician, also wants to increase tourism, especially from Europe and Asia, and to establish holistic health centers throughout the state. He wants to expand holistic therapies into classroom education.

Daniel Hansen, 56, thinks both major political parties are "pawns" of the Clark County teachers' union. But he feels the high dropout rate, poor showings in math, language, history, etc., are not the teachers' fault. He blames the school system for not giving students much choice and "stifling individual talents and abilities."

Hansen plans to use the lieutenant governor's office to encourage freedom of choice in education. He wants to cut the existing $5,000 per student tax burden and offer parents $3,500 education vouchers, scholarships or tax credits.

Jessi Winchester, who is a former legal prostitute, says her many years as a vice president for a Hollywood movie studio make her the only candidate with film-industry experience. She plans to use that experience to bring more motion-picture business to Nevada.

She says she'll work to reduce unwanted government intrusion into Nevadans' private lives, reduce law enforcement's "right to seize" authority, promote rural as well as urban tourism and expand development in rural Nevada.

Rose McKinney-James, 46, is running to promote more economic diversification, improve education policies, offer skilled workers business opportunities and improve tourism.

McKinney-James touts her experience as an educator and understanding of how government works.

Mary Ann Amador, 39, wants to reduce taxes, give tax credits for private education and develop an overall plan for managing growth in Southern Nevada.

Amador says she is not a professional politician, but she remains concerned and dedicated to making changes.

Ron West, 39, is seeking to control water use in Southern Nevada. He's also concerned about water use on federal land with regard to ranching and mining. He is a pro-life and pro-gun candidate.

West says what distinguishes his campaign from the other candidates is "a lot of common sense."

Alan DiCicco, 38, thinks government reform is needed to "preserve the rights of free people." He also supports campaign reform. He pledges to not seek campaign contributions, nor will he accept them.

DiCicco says American families have been assaulted internally and externally, and that society values must return to the importance of the family. He also supports tax incentives for families caring for the elderly and favors diversification of businesses.

DiCicco's slogan: "I am not like any of these canned politicians. I am for real -- just like you."

Backgrounds at a glance:

* Lorraine Hunt, Rep.; graduate of Las Vegas High School and Westlake College of Music. Occupation: Clark County Commissioner and vice chairwoman, president and chief executive officer of family business.

* F. Fuller Royal, Rep.; bachelor of science, Wake Forest University; medical degree from Bowman Gray School of Medicine. Occupation: Physician.

* Daniel Hansen, Independent; bachelor of arts in political science, UNLV. Occupation: Businessman.

* Jessi Winchester, Rep.; one year of college. Occupation: Candidate.

* Rose McKinney-James, Dem.; bachelor of arts from Olivet College in Michigan. Occupation: Businesswoman.

* Mary Ann Amador, Rep.; bachelor of arts degree in English. Occupation: Court reporter.

* Ron West, Rep.; Triton College. Occupation: Casino employee.

* Alan DiCicco, Rep.; journalism degree from Southern Illinois University, studied law at Harper College in Chicago (no degree). Occupation: Founder and director of the Coalition For Family Court Reform.

* Michael Amador, Rep.; declined to give information.

* Ian Hirsch, Dem.; did not return phone calls.

* Ann Demers, Rep.; did not return phone calls.

* Stan Lusak, Rep.; did not return phone calls.

* William Montgomery, Dem.; did not return phone calls.

* Karen Savage, Lib.; did not return phone calls.

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