Kincaid edges Smith in Democratic primary

Diana Sahagun

Wednesday, Sept. 6, 2000 | 11:23 a.m.

Mary Kincaid is expected to coast easily to her second four-year term on the Clark County Commission after Tuesday's win in the Democratic primary.

Kincaid beat North Las Vegas City Councilwoman Stephanie Smith by 493 votes.

In the largely Democratic district, Kincaid faced her toughest fight in her re-election bid in the primary.

Almost twice the number of Democrats as Republicans cast votes in the primary.

Kincaid's win signifies a defeat for the Culinary Union, which shifted its alliances to Smith after Kincaid voted against an anti-Wal-Mart ordinance.

The commissioner will meet Republican candidate Glen Easter in the Nov. 7 general election. He is best known for his attempt to recall North Las Vegas City Councilwoman Paula Brown in 1998.

The race between Kincaid and Smith was one of the more controversial, with both sides launching attacks on everything from their opponent's integrity to their lack of interest in the district.

Both sides say they were forced to stay on the offense and rebut their opponent's claims, which gave little room to talk about the important issues.

Most of the debate between the two centered around Kincaid's vote regarding a children's hospital.

Smith touched off the feud when her union supporters sent out a flier that showed photos of seriously wounded and ill children. The flier stemmed from Kincaid's vote in May not to place a bond issue to raise $80 million for a children's hospital on November's ballot.

Kincaid and her fellow commissioners, except Commissioner Erin Kenny, voted Tuesday to put the question on the ballot in June, giving the public a chance to vote on the issue.

At her party headquarters at the Fiesta hotel-casino Tuesday night, Kincaid was still smarting from what she said were negative barbs tossed her way by Smith.

"I've lived in this district 45 years and a lot of people know who I am and don't believe what Smith is saying about me," she said.

Her son and campaign manager, Mark Kincaid, paced nervously throughout the night, dialing his cell phone every few minutes to get the latest update on poll results. He said Smith's attack on his mother is what led to the low voter turnout and Kincaid's eventual win.

"People deserve to hear the issues," he said.

While the Culinary Union backed Smith, various other union members turned out in support of Kincaid Tuesday night.

Ed Alvarado, a member of Teamsters Local 24, said Kincaid has a strong record of support for working people.

"She supports working people on issues of taxation, community issues like parks, the kinds of things that really affect the quality of life for working people," he said.

Robin Ferraris, watching the countdown across town at Smith's election party at Bob Taylor's Original Ranch House, had a different view. As a worker at Vons, she supported Smith because of how Kincaid voted on the Wal-Mart initiative.

"In the beginning, I didn't know anything about Stephanie Smith," Ferraris said. "When Mary Kincaid said she didn't think Wal-Mart would hurt Vons and voted for Wal-Mart, it jeopardized my job."

The crowd of mainly union supporters at the Smith camp cheered the results as they narrowed between the two and booed Kincaid as she was interviewed on television.

"I feel very much that the decisions should concern who lives in the district, not just who contributes to campaigns," said D. Taylor, staff director for the Culinary Union.

Smith said her tactics during the race weren't negative, that she was only pointing out the facts.

"The voters need to understand that money affects an election," Smith said. "Her money was a huge factor in this race. We just didn't have the money to get the message out."

Kincaid spent $714,588 in her race against Smith, totaling $139 for each of her 5,128 votes. Altogether, she collected $833,575.

Smith spent $51,907 on her race, which equals $11.20 for each of her 4,635 votes. She collected a total of $64,734.

"A few more weeks would have made a difference," Smith said.

Smith also has dismissed the notion that she was being played like a puppet by her friend, County Commissioner Erin Kenny. Kincaid said Kenny warned her that she would pay for not voting with her on the Wal-Mart and children's hospitals issues. Kenny showed up at Smith's party at 9:50 p.m., when it was clear Kincaid had won the race.

Smith said she will run for re-election to the North Las Vegas City Council in May.

"We still have lots of needs, lots of things to do," she said. "My reason for running for the commission was because of North Las Vegas. Having Kincaid representing this area, I thought it was shameful she was rejecting everyone."

Kincaid said although she expects her relationship with Kenny to be tense, it won't get in the way of her role as a commissioner.

"I vote on the issues, not on personalities," she said.