Buckley files for Assembly race

Jeff Schweers

Wednesday, May 6, 1998 | 11:04 a.m.

Barbara Buckley has filed for a third term in the state Assembly, putting to rest any speculation that she would run against County Commissioner Erin Kenny in the District F Democratic primary or for higher office.

Buckley, who runs Nevada Legal Services, had discussed running for the commission so that she wouldn't have to disrupt her family life and career by going to Carson City for six months every other year.

"Certainly that was one factor that was causing me to consider a local race where I would not have to leave Las Vegas," Buckley said today.

But she opted to stay where she believes she can do more to influence the policy decisions on issues she cares most about -- health care, family courts and prenatal care.

"I decided I could make the most difference in the community by running for re-election," Buckley, 37, said. She felt she made a difference during the 1997 session as one of the few lawyers in the Assembly, helping pass laws providing better health care and reforming the Family Court system.

"Because of that I was able to provide a lot of leadership on the judiciary committee in enacting legislation helping citizens in the entire state," she said. "That's what finally pulled me in that direction."

If she's re-elected and the Democrats retain the Assembly, it would likely put Buckley, a rising star in the Democratic Party, in line for majority leader.

Twenty-six people filed at the Clark County elections office Tuesday, including incumbent Republican senators Jon Porter of Boulder City and Jack Close of Las Vegas; Las Vegans Gary Horrocks and Bryan Henchik and Rick Steinkamp of Henderson for state Assembly; Martin Hastings and incumbent Tony Abbatangelo for Las Vegas justice of the peace; and Republican Ken Sondej of Las Vegas for Rep. John Ensign's seat in Congressional District 1.

Tuesday also brought Democrat Frank Clifford Boehnlein of Goodsprings for the County Commission District F race, giving Kenny a primary race in September. Also, Democrat Mike Harris filed for District G, which Commissioner Lorraine Hunt is vacating for a bid for the Republican nomination for lieutenant governor.

Shirley Parraguirre and Sam Bledsoe filed for the already crowded county clerk's race.