Berkley in nation’s capital lining up campaign backing

Mark D. Preston

Wednesday, May 20, 1998 | 10:02 a.m.

WASHINGTON -- Shelley Berkley is 2,400 miles off of the beaten campaign trail, but she is using her close ties with national Democratic leaders this week to drum up support for her Las Vegas congressional campaign.

Berkley, a University and Community College System of Nevada regent and well-known Democratic Party activist, is in the nation's capital this week to meet with key political leaders and representatives from powerful lobbying groups, as they begin to size up who they will support in the November election.

Berkley is seeking to succeed Republican Rep. John Ensign, who is leaving the House after two terms to challenge Democratic Sen. Harry Reid. She already has gained endorsements from both Reid and fellow Democratic Sen. Richard Bryan and should receive minimal opposition in the September primary from Clay Baty, a local hotel-casino floorman.

National Democratic leaders have targeted this Southern Nevada seat as their best chance for a pick-up, because Democratic Rep. James Bilbray lost the seat in 1994 to Ensign by one point.

The Republicans' best shot at retaining the seat is Clark County District Judge Don Chairez. But with the entrance of Democratic Las Vegas Mayor Jan Laverty Jones into the governor's race Monday, GOP resources might be diverted toward Kenny Guinn's gubernatorial campaign and Ensign's senatorial bid.

"I think (Berkley) has the best shot of winning," Jerry Simich, a UNLV political science professor, said. "She is experienced, and she is intelligent."

Despite political pundits' assurances that she is a virtual lock to win the seat, Berkley said she is taking no chances and will continue to raise money and campaign hard.

"It's not over until it is over," Berkley said as she escorted a group of visiting UNLV students between Bryan's and Reid's Washington offices. "It is not in my nature to be complacent."

Groups Berkley is meeting with over the next few days include representatives from the telecommunications and medical industries and veterans, senior citizens and environmentalists. She also will attend a campaign fund-raiser being held in her honor Thursday night in New York City.

"I am meeting with organizations that represent (a) ... composite of my own district," she said.

Berkley said she has effectively put to use her nationwide contacts to seed her campaign war chest. She said she has made most of her contacts through her involvement with pro-Israel groups.

Berkley said she has raised about $650,000 -- half from out-of-state residents -- and has $500,000 cash on hand. But she said she will only accept money from people or organizations that support her political agenda.

"I don't take money from anybody," she said. "This seat is not for sale. I am not selling it."

Berkley described herself as a moderate Democrat who would be able to build a coalition between labor and business and would use her experience as a university regent to advocate "wise funding and higher academic standards for both students and teachers.

"I know the value of quality education ... the importance of not only constructing enough schools so our children have a place to be educated, but also ensuring there are standards and accountability in our school system," she said.

Berkley also said she would fight for gaming industry-related issues, a wildly popular campaign theme in a city with an economic engine fueled by legalized gambling.

"It is important for a representative from Southern Nevada to recognize (gaming's importance) and fight in the nation's capital to make sure our industry is not regulated and taxed by the federal government," she said.