Miller’s move good news for Ensign

Tuesday, March 16, 1999 | 11:13 a.m.

Democrats remain confident today they can hold onto Sen. Richard Bryan's seat in 2000 without former Gov. Bob Miller in the race.

"We're not discouraged," said Michael Tucker, a spokesman for the Democratic Senatorial Campaign Committee in Washington. "We look forward to continuing to work with Sen. Bryan, Sen. (Harry) Reid and Gov. Miller in strengthening the Democratic bench to keep this seat in the Democratic column."

No clear choice among Democrats, however, has emerged to pick up the party's banner.

"This is pretty disastrous for the Democrats," longtime political consultant Don Williams said Monday. "I think (John) Ensign wins going away now. I can't think of any Democrat who can give him a race."

Ensign, a former Republican member of the House, announced his candidacy the day after Bryan stunned the political scene by indicating he would not seek re-election to a third term in 2000. Ensign gave up a key seat on the House Ways and Means Committee last year only to lose a close race to Reid.

Attorney General Frankie Sue Del Papa, meanwhile, has moved to the top of the Democratic candidate list, but her possible bid isn't generating much interest among party strategists, primarily because she is not held in high esteem by organized labor, a political force in Nevada politics.

Even Del Papa, who is at odds with the Culinary Union, the largest and most politically active local in the state, didn't seem very excited Monday about entering the race in Miller's absence.

"It's something I will have to give much thought to," she said in a statement Monday. "There are many issues facing the state of Nevada that I feel need to be addressed. As attorney general, I have done my best to serve the people of Nevada. I will have to make a decision on whether I feel I can better serve the citizens of the Silver State in Washington, D.C., or in my present capacity."

Del Papa promised a decision soon.

Beyond Del Papa the list of Democratic candidates is thin.

Las Vegas Mayor Jan Laverty Jones remains a possibility, but she's not likely to be given serious consideration. Jones has lost two statewide races for governor since 1994 and opted against running for a third term as mayor this year to spend more time with her family.

Freshman Rep. Shelley Berkley, D-Nev., issued a statement Monday taking herself out of the race.

"My dream has always been to represent my home town in Congress," Berkley said. "I have no interest ever in running for the United States Senate."

The names of three state lawmakers -- Senate Minority Leader Dina Titus of Las Vegas, Assembly Speaker Joe Dini of Yerington and Assembly Majority Leader Richard Perkins of Henderson -- have been floated. But all three Monday expressed little interest in running.

Titus, indicating she is "not likely to be a candidate," said she is disappointed Miller won't be running. She described Miller as a "sure winner."

"This is a blow to the party," Titus said. "Ensign has the advantage going in so that makes it a challenge for us to get a good candidate, well-financed and well-organized."

Also being mentioned as possible contenders are Rose McKinney-James, who's coming off a loss in the lieutenant governor's race, Nevada Supreme Court Justice Bill Maupin and Las Vegas Sun Editor Brian Greenspun.

All three are attracting interest among Democratic leaders in Nevada and Washington. They are considered fresh faces capable of raising money in an expensive race.

Of the three, Greenspun, a Republican who would have to switch parties, is seen as the most intriguing potential candidate. Greenspun is hosting a Democratic fund-raiser at his home later this month with his close friend, President Clinton.

"Here's a guy who's articulate, good looking and well-financed," Reid said of the Sun editor.

Added Williams: "He's the only interesting name I've heard so far. He knows how things work in this state and would have a good entree to fund-raising."

Both Reid and Bryan cautioned Republicans not to get too excited about their chances of winning the seat in 2000.

"This is not a slam dunk for Ensign," Reid said.

Bryan said it's "far too soon to write this race off. I think we would be a bit premature in assuming that Ensign is going to go challenged in the race."

Ensign consultant Mike Slanker acknowledged Ensign's chances of winning are enhanced without Miller as an opponent, but he said he expected the Democrats to "run a tough race" no matter who they put up.

GOP strategists believe Miller's decision to drop out will encourage other Republicans to run.

"This should make the race more attractive for people like (Rep.) Jim Gibbons and (Secretary of State) Dean Heller," one GOP source said.

Gibbons released a statement from Washington Monday reiterating his interest in running.

" ... "I plan to give serious thought on making a decision to enter the race to replace my friend, Sen. Richard Bryan, in the United States Senate," Gibbons said. "The ultimate decision on whether to run for the Senate is going to be based on family considerations."

Democratic leaders in Nevada and Washington said they are encouraged about their chances of holding onto Bryan's seat because of what they described as the "disarray" within the Republican Party.

Democrats are making strong gains in voter registration here, and the GOP continues to be regarded as a "mean-spirited" party.

"Republicans are having trouble living down Newt Gingrich putting politics over policy," Reid said. "They're promoting issues that have no effect on the working men and women of this country. They're out of touch with what's going on."

Sun reporter Cy Ryan contributed to this story.