Ensign funds far above Bernstein’s

Friday, Aug. 25, 2000 | 10:05 a.m.

Former Republican Rep. John Ensign has about $500,000 more cash on hand than Democrat Ed Bernstein as the two U.S. Senate candidates draw closer to their expected November showdown.

In federal campaign finance reports covering July 1 through Aug. 16, Ensign reported $1.16 million cash on hand, compared to $675,851 for Bernstein. Both are hoping to replace retiring Sen. Richard Bryan, D-Nev.

Cash on hand is a key indicator of a campaign's ability to get its message out, particularly on television.

Ensign, a Las Vegas veterinarian who served two terms in Congress, raised $209,653 during the past six weeks to bring his 2000 total to $1.5 million. He also spent $851,534 from July 1 to Aug. 16 and $2.2 million overall since Jan. 1. Both expenditure figures are about double that of Bernstein.

Bernstein, a Las Vegas attorney and television talk-show host, raised $96,143 during the past six weeks and $535,770 for the year. He also has borrowed $888,000 in personal funds for his campaign. He has spent $441,498 from July 1 to Aug. 16 and $1.15 million for the year.

Ensign's largest contributions in the past six weeks include $5,000 each from Brinker International, Independent Petroleum Association, Wal-Mart Stores, Northern Lights, Willamette Industries Inc., and the Free Cuba and Nabisco Inc. political action committees.

Richard Hamzik of Gardnerville, an Ensign GOP primary opponent, has about $2,000 cash on hand. He raised about $8,000 during the past six weeks, borrowed $22,000 from personal funds and spent about $30,000 from July 1 to Aug. 16. The figures for fellow Republican candidate Fernando Platin Jr. of Henderson were not available.

Bernstein, who has no opposition in his party, received $5,000 each from the Machinists Nonpartisan Political League, PAC for a Change, Laborers' Political League and Planned Parenthood Action Fund.