Tight northern race become crucial in north-south fight

Monday, Oct. 19, 1998 | 11:26 a.m.

CARSON CITY -- Pollster Don Carlson calls it the "ultimate race," one that will determine whether the south or the north controls the 1999 Senate.

It pits Democrat incumbent Ernie Adler, who has brought home the bacon for Carson City for 12 years, against Republican Mark Amodei, regarded as the best freshman in the 1997 Assembly.

Conventional wisdom favors Amodei, because his Capital Senate District of 40,000 registered voters has 3,800 more Republicans than Democrats. But Adler has beaten the odds in four previous elections, two for the Assembly and two for the Senate.

Carlson, who has done polling for Amodei, believes the final two weeks will decide the campaign.

If Amodei wins, the north will continue to run things. If Adler captures re-election, Sen. Dina Titus of Las Vegas may finally achieve her goal of being majority leader.

Republicans hold a 12-9 edge in the state Senate, with Sen. William Raggio, R-Reno, the majority leader. Going into the election, there are eight Republicans and five Democrats virtually assured of re-election. Carlson said Democrats could pick up five seats and the Republicans two -- 10 seats for each party. The Adler-Amodei winner should break the tie, Carlson said.

Raggio encouraged Amodei to challenge Adler in an attempt to make sure the GOP continues to hold the majority.

Both Adler, 47 and Amodei, 40, are attorneys in private practice. Both will spend more than $100,000 for a job that pays $7,200 every two years.

Of course, there's a kicker if Democrats win an 11-10 majority. Sen. Joe Neal, D-Las Vegas, the ranking Democrat, says he will go independent to block Titus from becoming majority leader. He has no objections to another Democrat holding that position. But Titus, said Neal, got involved in his governor's campaign and she should have stayed out.

Asked what he would do if the Democrats insist on naming Titus as party leader, Neal said, "I will get cozy with Raggio," meaning the Republicans could still be in charge, even if they are on the short end.

Early voting

Andre Agassi lent his support to both Sen. Harry Reid, D-Nev., and early voting Sunday, at a rally at William Orr Middle School behind the Boulevard Mall.

Agassi and Reid's sons Rory and Leaf lead a group of about 75 supporters from the school to the mall to vote.

Many voters are taking advantage of the valley's early voting sites, said election worker Julie Barker.

"We had about 141 people vote Saturday, during the first day of early voting," Barker said. "People love the machines and everything has been running smoothly."

The Galleria Mall in Green Valley had the biggest turnout on the first day of early voting, with about 900 people, said Barker.

Voters at the Boulevard Mall on Sunday said that early voting is something they take part in because of the convenience.

"I like it because I can vote in my leisure time, and not when I get home from work at night," Grace Contreras said, after stepping from a voting booth in the mall.

Early voting sites are located at the Boulevard Mall, Meadows Mall, Galleria Mall, Fashion Show Mall and the Belz Factory Outlet Mall. The sites will be remain open for early voting through Oct. 30.

"I use early voting because I'm a painter, and that can mean some pretty long days," said Vern Hueile at the Boulevard Mall. "I don't have time otherwise, so this is easier for me."

Outgoing clerk endorses Bledsoe

Outgoing Clark County Clerk Loretta Bowman has endorsed Sam Bledsoe to be her successor. Bowman, who has served as the county's clerk for nearly 34 years, said that she believes Bledsoe can cope with the challenges that the rapid growth of the county provides.

Bledsoe will face Shirley Parraguirre for the clerks position. Parraguirre has been endorsed by the Veterans in Politics.

Ballot questions discussed

The Nevada Women's Lobby will feature a review and discussion of the ballot questions for the Nov. 3 election at the group's next meeting Oct. 22. The meeting will be held in the Spring Valley Library, 4280 S. Jones Blvd. beginning at 7 p.m.