Many state offices up for grabs

Thursday, Aug. 27, 1998 | 11:24 a.m.

CARSON CITY -- The races for the U.S. Senate and governor have claimed all the attention. Taking a back seat in the public eye are contests for attorney general, controller and secretary of state.

Attorney General Frankie Sue Del Papa, seeking a third term, faces only minor opposition from Marilyn O'Connor in the Democratic primary election. Las Vegas lawyer Scott Scherer is without opposition on the Republican ticket.

Controller Darrel Daines is retiring after three terms. Kathy Augustine, who has served one term in the Assembly and one term in the Senate, takes on Wally Earhart, who has run twice before without success, in the GOP primary election. The winner goes against Democrat Mary Sanada.

Secretary of State Dean Heller drew opposition this election only from the minor parties and will be on the November ballot without a primary election.

Here is a breakdown of the candidates:

Controller

Republicans:

* Kathy Augustine, who served one term in the Assembly and is completing her first term in the Senate, says she has the background for this office. The 42-year-old Las Vegas resident was a flight attendant for Continental and Delta airlines. She also is a former schoolteacher.

* Wally Earhart, 56, of Carson City, is a utility tax valuation expert for the state Taxation Department. Earhart, who says he's a distant relative of the aviatrix Amelia Earhart, holds the distinction of winning the GOP nomination in 1976 for Congress and for secretary of state in 1978. But in both elections, he finished second to "None of the Above. In his work in state government, he has worked with the controller's office.

Attorney general

Democrats:

* Frankie Sue Del Papa, 49, is seeking a third term. She once considered running for governor but then withdrew and is seeking re-election. Del Papa has pushed programs for battered women, limited lawsuits by prison inmates and has initiated programs to stop the sale of cigarettes to children.

* Marilyn O'Connor, 50, of Fallon, is a legal researcher who says she has no income and that the Internal Revenue Service seized her home. Although she's not an attorney, O'Connor says she's "slinging an ax against the system" and wants to hold elected officials accountable for their actions. Despite no income, she says she's able to survive by living with her mother, other relatives and friends who supply lodging and food.