Monday, June 12, 2000 | 11:17 a.m.
WASHINGTON -- The Senate's Democratic leader has conceded Republican John Ensign is the favorite to win his Senate race with Democratic opponent Ed Bernstein.
Sen. Tom Daschle, D-S.D., on Friday told the Associated Press that Democrats have strong candidates likely to win four of five seats being vacated by retiring senators -- in New York, New Jersey, Florida and Nebraska, but not in Nevada. Daschle is leading an effort to regain a Democratic majority in the Senate, now held by Republicans, 55-45.
Bernstein, a trial lawyer, and Ensign, a veterinarian and former congressman, are vying for the seat of Sen. Richard Bryan, D-Nev., who is leaving Congress after 12 years. Ensign has been considered the race leader since he announced his bid in February 1999.
"I would like to thank the minority leader for his kind words," Ensign campaign chairman Pete Ernaut said. "But we're going to continue running hard every day like we're 10 points down. We're confident but not overconfident."
Daschle's comment was made in the context of whether the race were held today, a spokesman said.
"Fortunately, we don't have the election until November," Michael Meehan, political director for Daschle, said. "Sen. Daschle is fully behind Ed Bernstein. The DSCC will be fully supportive."
Bernstein has received $16,500 from the Democratic Senatorial Campaign Committee, a major party fund-raiser. Committee officials say they are pleased with the progress of the Bernstein campaign.
"We think we have a real chance to hold this seat," said Jim Jordan, DSCC political director. "Ed Bernstein should be confident about getting the financial support he needs to win this race. We are going to see this race tighten dramatically in the next 90 days."
Daschle's Assistant Minority Leader, Harry Reid, of Nevada, also said Bernstein is picking up steam. Reid's political action committee, Searchlight Leadership Fund, has given $7,500 to Bernstein.
"I think everyone would concede that (Bernstein) is behind right now," Reid said. "But that's not how it's going to end up. He's got a good campaign going. There are more Democrats than Republicans in Nevada."
Bernstein also shrugged off Daschle's comment.
"Look, I'm an underdog. I've never run for any office before," Bernstein said.
He pointed out that Daschle spoke at a Washington fund-raiser that benefited his campaign. Daschle's political action committee has given Bernstein $8,000.
"Our campaign is on fire," Bernstein said. "We just went on the air (with commercials) on Monday. This whole state is buzzing about this race now. The issues are starting to develop clearly, and we're really starting to define the differences between John Ensign and me."
Bernstein said he is plunging ahead with aggressive campaigning, stressing health care issues in the next few weeks. On June 20 he plans to fly to Mexico with about 15 Nevada seniors to buy prescription drugs, which are cheaper over the border, to draw attention to the high cost of medication.
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