Western primary to breathe new life

Monday, April 26, 1999 | 10:44 a.m.

CARSON CITY -- A bill that allows Nevada to join other Western states in a regional presidential primary next year will be revived after it died earlier this month in an Assembly committee.

But a partisan fight is looming over the measure.

Assembly Minority Leader Lynn Hettrick, R-Gardnerville, said he will reintroduce the measure as one of two extra bills he is allowed to request this session. It will be introduced in the Senate, which is controlled by Republicans.

The first attempt never got past the Assembly Elections, Procedures and Ethics Committee, which is chaired by Las Vegas Democrat Chris Giunchigliani. The measure lacks support in her committee, she said Friday.

Holding a presidential primary election March 10 could give the West more clout and would force candidates to address regional issues, Hettrick said.

Gov. Kenny Guinn supports the idea, according to Hettrick.

Currently delegates are chosen at state Democratic and Republican conventions to attend the national convention and vote for a presidential candidate. Hettrick said he wants every voter, not just the party regulars, to have a say on who becomes the presidential nominee.

Republicans are trying to keep fringe groups from participating in their party caucuses, Giunchigliani said. If the Republicans want a primary, the party -- not the state -- should come up with the money to fund the election. An estimated $1 million will be needed, down from $1.4 million.

The state Democratic Central Committee has voted against a presidential primary, Giunchigliani said.

When the idea of a Western primary was first raised two years ago, eight states expressed interest. So far only Utah and Montana have made a commitment. Washington decided to join California, which will holds its presidential primary March 7.

The New Mexico, Oregon and Idaho legislatures turned down the plan. Legislation is being considered in Colorado and Arizona.

Nevada held primaries in 1976 and 1980, but they were discontinued because of poor voter turnout.

Even if there are only four states in the 2000 primary, it would have a significant effect on Nevada, Hettrick said. "Right now (presidential candidates) stop on the Strip, collect money and say 'See you next time.'

"I don't want to change the world," he said. "I just want to tilt it toward the West."

A regional primary would encourage candidates to discuss Western issues such as water, public lands, mining and Indian gambling. It could also be an economic boost if candidates, their staff and the news media came to Nevada, he said.

The original cost was estimated at $1.4 million, but Hettrick said that has been scaled down to $1 million or about 12 cents for every voter. "Right now we have zero influence. This will give us some."

Shortly after the proposed Western primary, Southern states' "Super Tuesday" takes place. When that is completed, 63 percent of the delegates from both parties will have been selected, Hettrick said.

Giunchigliani said she was willing to set aside March 10 for party caucuses to choose delegates to the national conventions. The Democratic National Committee has barred Nevada from holding a presidential primary that early. If the state ignores the directive, it could be penalized by losing anywhere from 25 percent to 50 percent of its delegates to the national convention.