Wednesday, June 9, 1999 | 10:56 a.m.
Less than an hour before the polls closed, Las Vegas City Councilman Gary Reese shared some philosophical thoughts with his mother about his future.
"I am proud of what I did. I really made a difference," Reese told his mother at the Cashman Center restaurant where in a few hours the 58-year-old incumbent would celebrate victory or soothe his defeat at his post-election party.
"If I win, I'll get four more years to do even more," he told Lula Reese. "If not the grandkids will get grandpa back. Either way I win."
Reese could not imagine how close his grandchildren would come to having their grandpa back.
Nevada Stupak, a 23-year-old political upstart, lost by 139 votes in Tuesday's Ward 3 general election. He closed a 17.5 percent gap from the May 4 primary, where they finished one-two in a seven-candidate field, forcing the runoff.
"I am proud to be Gary Reese tonight," Reese told his supporters during his victory speech after collecting 4,357 votes -- 50.81 percent. He was flanked by fellow councilmen Larry Brown and Michael McDonald.
"Positive things are happening in the city and I am looking forward to working with the mayor." The new mayor, elected by a much wider margin, is Oscar Goodman.
Stupak, the third member of his family to fail to win political office, was nevertheless happy to collect 4,218 votes -- 49.19 percent -- as nearly 1,300 more Ward 3 voters cast ballots than in the primary.
"This was really a good experience -- I'm very satisfied," Stupak said during his post-election party at his 6th Street home. "I learned a lot about how the city works. My crew is more seasoned for next time."
Sandra Blumen, Stupak's mother and campaign coordinator, said her son has no plans to call for a recount because she said today's technologically advanced voting machines and counting methods are accurate.
Stupak, a blackjack dealer at the Bellagio and the son of casino developer and gambler Bob Stupak, praised his opponent, calling the downtown barber shop owner "a gentleman" who like him ran a clean campaign.
Bob Stupak lost to Las Vegas Mayor Ron Lurie in 1983 and Clark County Commissioner William Pearson in 1987. Nicole Stupak, Nevada's sister, lost to City Councilman Frank Hawkins in 1991.
Ironically, those who have faced Stupaks in the past have ended their political careers on sour notes. Lurie got caught up in a controversial land deal with prominent Las Vegans that caused him to not seek re-election in 1991. Pearson and Hawkins both lost when they ran again. None of them have run since.
While Reese hopes to break that trend -- he said he has not ruled out a shot at the council or other offices four years from now -- he came the closest to losing to a Stupak. And that shocked fellow councilmen.
"No, I did not think it would be close," Brown said. "Gary Reese has done a lot with major recreation projects, renovation of parks and cleaning up neighborhoods. But even though he did an outstanding job, you can't take anything for granted in politics. You can't sit on your laurels."
McDonald said the close race could be attributed to an "anti-incumbent" feeling among the voters, as Ward 2 City Councilman Arnie Adamsen lost to Goodman and later this month will have to give up his council seat. McDonald, however, won re-election to his seat over four other candidates in the primary, winning 63 percent of the total vote.
That Stupak was able to come so close to winning was even more remarkable when one considers that Reese had the support of the powerful Culinary Union and popular outgoing Mayor Jan Laverty Jones.
Reese also had a 7-to-1 fund-raising advantage. As of June 1 reporting figures, Reese had collected more than $400,000 in campaign contributions to Stupak's $55,000-plus.
Stupak was able to run television ads in the waning days, however, indicating he probably gained considerable donations in the past week. On Tuesday Stupak denied getting a major influx of late money from new sources that represent special interests.
Stupak, who gained the support of some black community leaders, also walked the predominantly black precincts trying to persuade residents he would best represent their interests.
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