McClain, Close are waging costliest Assembly battle

Wednesday, Nov. 1, 2000 | 11:23 a.m.

The District 15 Assembly contest pitting Democratic incumbent Kathy McClain against former Republican Assemblyman Jack Close has turned into the most expensive Assembly campaign in Southern Nevada.

In campaign finance reports filed Tuesday that reflected activity through Oct. 25, Close reported raising $124,622, and McClain took in $114,865. They represented the only two Assembly candidates from the same district who have cleared six figures in contributions.

Both also spent almost identical amounts, with Close running up $97,534, compared to $97,027 for McClain. Both candidates received financial support from their political parties.

Assembly Democratic Majority Leader Richard Perkins of Henderson, who represents District 23, topped all Assembly candidates with $181,986 in contributions and $154,804 in expenses. He was followed by District 9 Democratic Assemblywoman Barbara Buckley, who has raised $155,682 and spent $122,608.

Other Assembly incumbents who have outraised their opponents by at least $25,000 each included Democrats Tom Collins in District 1, John Lee in District 3, Chris Giunchigliani in District 9, David Goldwater in District 10, Douglas Bache in District 11, Ellen Koivisto in District 14, Bob Price in District 17, and Jerry Claborn in District 19, and Republicans Merle Berman in District 2 and Sandra Tiffany in District 21.

Also of note is Assembly District 16, where Democrat John Oceguera has raised $138,185 and spent $98,964, compared to Republican foe Jack McClary, who has raised $90,116 and spent $67,091. They are competing for the open seat left by incumbent Democrat Kelly Thomas, who chose not to seek re-election.

Candidates in next week's general election met the reporting deadline if their reports were postmarked by 5 p.m. Tuesday.

But State Sen. Mike Schneider, a District 8 Democrat, was the only incumbent state senator whose report was available as of Tuesday. He has raised $108,264 and spent $13,865, a substantial advantage over the $325 raised and $450 spent by Republican opponent Channing Grant. Schneider's support has come mostly from the business sector.

The incumbents whose reports were not immediately available were Democratic state Sens. Ray Shaffer of District 2, Valerie Wiener of District 3 and Dina Titus of District 7. The reports of GOP incumbent state Sens. Ann O'Connell of District 5 and Ray Rawson of District 6 also were not immediately available.

Of the state Senate challengers whose reports were available, Democrat Charles Hawk of District 5 reported the largest figures. He has raised $31,412 and spent $24,162 in a bid to defeat O'Connell. Most of his money has come from teachers and organized labor.

Also available were reports from Culinary Union Local 226, which represents casino employees, and Nevada Service Employees Union Local 1107.

The Culinary has raised $145,888 and spent $130,682 on this election. Most of their expenses since mid-August have been for paid staff. Local 1107 has raised $30,834 and spent $35,043 on this election. Among their contributions was $2,000 to Democrat Lois Tarkanian, a candidate for Clark County Commission in District C.