Columnist Jeff German: Adelson poised to flex political muscles again

Thursday, June 25, 1998 | 10:03 a.m.

SHELDON ADELSON MAY BE roaring again on Nevada's political scene.

The Las Vegas Sands Inc. chairman -- disappointed with the Nevada Republican Party's decision to abort its paycheck protection initiative -- is poised once more to step up his political presence.

And he may go it alone this time.

Adelson's top man in Las Vegas, Sands President Bill Weidner, confirms his boss is thinking about putting together his own political organization.

"Not being in control of an issue we were very interested in was frustrating," Weidner says.

Adelson spent a lot of money helping the GOP push the initiative that sought to force unions to get the permission of their members before using dues for political purposes. He did not get the results he wanted.

And now the Republican Party may suffer the consequences.

State GOP boss John Mason says Adelson told him after the collapse of the initiative that he wanted to have more control over his involvement in politics.

Adelson doesn't plan to cut ties to the GOP, Mason says.

But one way or another, Weidner explains: "We will develop our political capability, and it will be felt in this election."

Adelson's political presence already has been felt here.

He financed the now-derailed recall campaign against Clark County Commission Chairwoman Yvonne Atkinson Gates, who has been accused of ethics violations.

And he has made no secret of his desire to work to defeat Democratic congressional candidate Shelley Berkley, his onetime political adviser. Berkley has apologized for once recommending that Adelson do favors for local politicians to ensure that his $2 billion Venetian megaresort would win approval.

Republican Don Chairez says Adelson has promised to "do whatever he can" to help him in the congressional race.

One of Adelson's political confidantes, George Harris, also has bragged about encouraging Lt. Gov. Lonnie Hammargren to enter the Republican primary for governor against the well-financed GOP front-runner Kenny Guinn. Guinn was not a paycheck protection backer.

Should Adelson set up a full-time political organization, he would have the resources and contacts to turn politics upside down in the state.

Weidner says his billionaire boss is prepared to spend whatever it takes to advance his political agenda.

"Money is not an obstacle," Weidner says.

That has to scare the living daylights out of most of Southern Nevada's movers and shakers, who still consider Adelson (a transplanted Bostonian) an outsider.

Remember, there is some precedent here for Adelson to go off on his own.

Several years ago, Mirage Resorts Chairman Steve Wynn formed his own political operation, and it enhanced his clout.

Adelson is well aware of Wynn's success as an independent agent.

For the moment, the Las Vegas Sands chief still is considered the GOP's biggest donor in Nevada.

But all bets may be off in the future.

Nevada gamers are hoping to raise $20 million, maybe more, to fight California's ballot initiative that would allow Native American tribes to build full-scale casinos.

Though the casino industry will dig deep into its own pockets, a large portion of the tab could be picked up by a coalition of California special interests who share a desire to kill the ballot campaign.

If passed, the initiative could cost Nevada casinos as much as $300 million a year.

That dismal forecast has not gone unnoticed in boardrooms along the Strip.

The Indian tribes, which already are attacking Nevada casinos on California television, are prepared to spend as much as $25 million to pass the initiative.

It's setting up a political war of monstrous proportions.

Leading the charge at home with their pocketbooks are the Big Four -- Mirage Resorts, Hilton Gaming, Circus Circus Enterprises and Caesars Palace.

Other Nevada casinos may be wise to join the crusade.

Mesquite's Running of the Bulls next month will take place without the blessing of the Las Vegas Convention and Visitors Authority.

The LVCVA has turned down a request from Mesquite officials for $25,000 to help promote the controversial event.

LVCVA officials don't want to spend money on something that could turn into a public relations nightmare for Southern Nevada.

It's just not smart business.

A fond goodbye to Sheriff John Moran.

Few politicians here will ever match his stature as a public servant.

His loving wife Goldie -- and this city -- have lost a treasure.