Las Vegas Sun

March 29, 2024

Oscar mayor winner

The only courtroom drama playing out in the Las Vegas mayor's race will begin today as defense attorney Oscar Goodman starts meeting city officials and staff to share some of the ideas he presented voters in the closing arguments of his campaign.

Tuesday's race was over long before the polls closed, with Councilman Arnie Adamsen unable to stop the momentum Goodman had built since his near victory in the May 4 primary.

Goodman, 59, received 63 percent of the votes to Adamsen's 36 percent amid light turnout, according to unofficial tallies of the 50,408 votes cast.

"Today I consider myself the luckiest man in the world," Goodman said, clutching his hands together over his head as the theme to "Rocky" signaled his victory to hundreds of supporters gathered at the Philadelphia native's campaign headquarters.

"I did not win this race," he added, keeping with the populist themes that catapulted him from political unknown to front-runner. "Each and every one of you won this race and each and every one will be a part of the 10th floor of City Hall."

Goodman's headquarters on Sixth Street resembled something of a large wedding with the mayoral groom working his way among 20 round tables topped with flowers and packed with supporters eating food.

His wife, Carolyn, was at his side when he popped the cork from a flowered bottle of Perriet Jouet champagne and again when the bride of 37 years fed him a piece of victory cake.

Guests posed for pictures with the mayor-elect and brought gifts ranging from autographed campaign signs to an official shield of the city of Thurrock, England, and a set of engraved whiskey glasses presented by Margaret Kirkwood, one of that city's 49 elected councilors.

"I don't know what I'm going to do with the shield," Goodman said, accepting his first congratulations from another public official.

Despite made-to-order burgers and hot dogs and a ready supply of beer and wine, Adamsen's headquarters had none of the same revelry.

Several dozen campaign workers joined the Adamsen family watching as the sobering vote tallies were updated from the Internet and the big-screen television set.

"I'm just going to take care of my family and make money," said Adamsen, 50, who must resign from his 12-year council seat June 28 as a result of his decision to run for mayor.

"It's been an honor to serve and an honor to help people for 12 years," Adamsen said. "It was either time to move up or move on."

Adamsen, who is vice president of Stewart Title, said he is not ruling out a future run for political office, but said that for now he is content to concentrate on his business.

Goodman, who is nationally known for his criminal defense of reputed mobsters and celebrities, steered clear of Adamsen's attention to his clients by focusing on populist issues.

Nighttime road construction and a proposal to impose impact fees on developers became the common planks of Goodman's campaign even as Adamsen and the national media focused on Goodman's image.

"Everybody picked on him and called him a mob attorney," said Billy Quick, a long-time Las Vegas bail bondsman who voted for Goodman. "I just get sick of the negative. He's a very humble man and he will work for the people."

The three City Council members who will now work with Goodman said Tuesday they are looking forward to hearing his ideas.

"I think Oscar is an honest and a sincere person," said Gary Reese, just after barely winning re-election to Ward 3. "He's new to this. I was there one time and I know how Mayor (Jan Laverty) Jones helped me, so I'm going to do my best to offer him my knowledge."

Goodman will be sworn in as mayor June 28. Jones, who had served for eight years, decided in January not to seek a third term.

"With Oscar, pretty much what you see is what you get," said Councilman Michael McDonald. "He's a straight shooter and that will help us achieve goals as a group."

Councilman Larry Brown said he believes Reese's re-election and Goodman's willingness to work with the council will create stability in city politics.

"If Oscar demonstrates the enthusiasm and the work ethic that he did during the campaign then he'll be a great mayor," Brown said.

Goodman has turned his law practice over to partner David Chesnoff and has promised not to try cases during his term.

"Today I lost a partner but I gained a mayor," Chesnoff said Tuesday night.

Goodman promised Tuesday to have a government by coalition, devoted to the concerns and interests of every segment of society.

He also credited his decision not to go negative with creating a new standard for American politics.

"They want clean races and they want politicians and those that serve them to remain free of corruption," Goodman said.

Campaign supporter Marilyn Slater, who wore Goodman buttons attached to her earrings, said that was the type of attitude that drew her to support him.

"He been for the people all along," Slater said. "He genuinely cares about the people."

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