Ensign advances easily

Jace Radke

Wednesday, Sept. 6, 2000 | 9:49 a.m.

Former Rep. John Ensign was smiling early and often Tuesday night as he captured more than 89 percent of the Republican primary vote in his pursuit of retiring U.S. Sen. Richard Bryan's seat.

Ensign, whose victory was among the first to be confirmed Tuesday, moves on to November's general election to face Democrat Ed Bernstein, who advanced automatically as the lone Democratic candidate.

Ensign took 47,338 votes in the primary compared with 2,473 votes, or 4.67 percent, for Gardnerville small-business owner Richard Hamzik, and 854 votes, or 4.61 percent, for Henderson resident Fernando Platin Jr. A little more than 4 percent of the votes, or 2,295 ballots, were cast for "none of these candidates."

Over the next month Nevada residents can expect to see more television commercials and talk on issues such as nuclear waste, prescription drugs and education, Ensign said from his campaign headquarters at 405 S. Decatur Blvd.

"You'll see us on television from now until Election Day," Ensign said. "We've already been in contact with Bernstein's people and we will debate. We'll also be working hard on the grass-roots end talking with people from all parts of the state.

"People in Southern Nevada probably don't even know where Gerlach is, but we were there the other day, and we will continue to make those kinds of visits."

Ensign, a 42-year-old veterinarian, served two terms in the House and in 1998 narrowly lost his bid to capture the Senate seat of Minority Whip Harry Reid, D-Nev.

Despite losing to Reid two years ago, Ensign said he will be able to work closely with the senator, especially on keeping nuclear waste out of Nevada.

"I've been periodically talking to Harry, and if I'm elected I feel I can work the Republican side of the equation," Ensign said as about 40 people celebrated his primary victory. "We've had Democrats in there, but I can work the other side of the aisle, the majority side, and change some minds."

Hamzik, 46, who ran on a platform of reducing federal government, repealing federal income tax and privatization of Social Security, did not immediately return phone calls seeking comment Tuesday night.

Platin could not be reached for comment.