Jones faces three-way challenge for third mayoral term

Erin Neff

Thursday, Feb. 4, 1999 | 11:16 a.m.

Recent municipal elections in Las Vegas have been noted for their nastiness.

But now, just weeks before the filing period opens for candidates, you'd almost think the incumbents are running unopposed. In fact, the council members are.

Some in City Hall have even wondered if Mayor Jan Laverty Jones would run for re-election, despite earlier statements declaring her candidacy.

Jones, 49, cleared up those doubts this week, saying she is preparing for "a serious campaign."

"What we've done in terms of meeting constituent needs has been outstanding," said Jones, who is seeking her third term as mayor. "We have a real story to tell."

The three announced opponents are all ex-politicians: former three-term Clark County Commissioner Jay Bingham, former City Councilman Steve Miller and one-time mayor of Henderson Cruz Olague.

Veteran political consultant Kent Oram will run Bingham's campaign. Jones, Miller and Olague have not announced their campaign teams.

Others still flirting with a run include Aaron Russo, who lost the Republican gubernatorial primary to eventual winner Kenny Guinn, and City Councilman Arnie Adamsen.

Jones said she is confident she will win based on the success of city programs.

"Steve Miller is a nonissue," Jones said. "He's not really interested in running for mayor, he's interested in a forum to defame me."

Earlier, in light of a state Supreme Court ruling allowing him to proceed with a lawsuit against Jones stemming from campaign tactics during the 1991 mayoral race, Miller said, "I believe more people need to know about Jan Laverty Jones."

Miller announced his candidacy right after the court's ruling.

Jones said she expects to beat fellow Democrat Bingham because she thinks it will be difficult for voters to see past his profession: lobbyist and developer.

Miller, a planning and zoning consultant who served as a councilman from 1987 to 1991, has been campaigning via phone banks.

He recently sent automatic dial messages to 40,000 residents to "protest corruption at City Hall" in light of a sale of 160 acres of city land to golf course developer Billy Walters for $894,000.

In his message, Miller said he was "appalled" by the "sweetheart deal."

For his part, Bingham, 45, said he plans to run a positive campaign.

"I have a passion to serve," said Bingham, adding he wanted to run for mayor because he missed politics.

If one candidate earns 50 percent or more of the vote in the primary election May 4, he or she wins the election. If not, the top two vote getters meet in the June 8 general election.

City Council seats in Wards 1 and 3 are also up for election.

In Ward 1, Mayor Pro Tem Michael McDonald initially had competition from former Planning Commission Chairman David Griego. Griego dropped out of the race this week, citing demands of his job with Nevada Power.

"I'm very disappointed, but my career is not politics, it's Nevada Power." Griego said, adding that he might consider a future run for political office.

Incumbent Gary Reese has no announced competition in Ward 3.