Russo endorses Ensign, Chairez, Scherer

Wednesday, Sept. 23, 1998 | 10:53 a.m.

Russo said he is backing Senate candidate John Ensign, congressional candidate Don Chairez and attorney general candidate Scott Scherer.

But he declined to endorse GOP governor candidate Kenny Guinn, who beat Russo soundly in the Sept. 1 primary election.

Russo said he is not sure whether he will endorse Guinn or Democrat Jan Jones.

Pete Ernaut, Guinn's campaign manager, said an endorsement by Russo "is not something we're actively pursuing."

If the endorsement comes, "it's not like we'd call a press conference and reject it," Ernaut added. "But I'm not sure his endorsement means much."

Jones said she would welcome his endorsement and agrees with some, but not all, of his positions.

Ensign, Chairez and Scherer said they agreed with Russo's idea to take the nuclear waste battle to the U.S. Supreme Court.

Ensign and Chairez said they agree with Russo that tips of under $10,000 each are gifts and the concept should be tested in the U.S. Supreme Court.

Scherer said he isn't a tax expert but would be willing to research the legalities of the issue. Jones said she agrees the current system used to tax tips is unfair.

But the candidates kept their distance from Russo's ideas that there were too many prisoners serving time for victimless crimes, that jobs of bureaucrats in the school system above the level of principal should be eliminated, and that salaries for state workers need to be frozen because they are paid too much.

"He's endoring us, I'm not endorsing him," Ensign said. "I haven't looked at the majority of his ideas."