Republican to enter race for congressional seat

Tuesday, Feb. 3, 1998 | 10:47 a.m.

Robert Tauber, a Republican who worked for the Air Force as a civilian consultant, is to declare his candidacy for Congress today.

The announcement is at 6:30 p.m. at the Clark County Library at 1401 E. Flamingo Road.

Tauber, 40, is running for the seat held by Rep. John Ensign, R-Nev. Ensign has decided not to seek re-election and instead is attempting to unseat Sen. Harry Reid, D-Nev.

The congressional district, which favors Democrats by about 40,000 registered voters, encompasses urban parts of Las Vegas, North Las Vegas and Henderson.

Tauber said he supports abolishing the IRS and replacing it with a national sales tax of up to 17 percent.

He also said he opposes abortion. However, he said abortion issues should be dealt with by state legislators, and not federal lawmakers.

Tauber, who has lived in Las Vegas for 10 years, has retired from his Air Force job and is working as a subcontractor for the federal government.

He has raised $7,000, including a personal campaign loan of $250.

University Regent Shelley Berkley, a Democrat, also is running for the congressional seat.