Political notebook for September 7, 2000

Thursday, Sept. 7, 2000 | 11:30 a.m.

Uri Clinton expected to decide on recall today

Attorney Uri Clinton said he expects to decide today whether to ask for a recount of votes in his narrow loss to District 4 state Sen. Joe Neal, D-North Las Vegas, in Tuesday's primary election.

In a three-way race among Democrats, Neal won re-election, but with only six votes more than the majority he needed to avoid a runoff with Clinton in the Nov. 7 general election.

Neal, who needed 2,028 votes to avoid a runoff, received 2,034 of the 4,055 votes cast. Clinton received 1,820 votes and Christopher Montanez collected 201.

Neal, who has rarely been tested in elections since his first term in 1972, met his match in Clinton, who was heavily backed by the gaming industry. Neal has been leading an effort to increase the gaming tax paid by the largest resorts, arguing they do not pay their fair share.

Forum on kids

The Candidates Forum on Children will begin at 11 a.m. Wednesday in the Tam Alumni Hall at UNLV.

This forum was designed to update candidates, office-holders, policy-makers and child advocates about critical issues facing Nevada's children today. Designed by a statewide network of experts and professionals who work with children's issues on a daily basis, the Candidates' Forum On Children will provide voters with the latest data, program information and analysis of child and youth well-being both locally and around the state.

Following the panel presentation, workshops will be available that will provide an update on bill draft requests to date, advocacy training and a planning session for the "Focus on Children and Youth Forum" scheduled for January 2001.

Candidates featured

The Jewish Community Political Forum is sponsoring a program featuring candidates for U.S. Senate, Congress and County Commission at 7 p.m. Sunday at Congregation Ner Tamid, 2751 Emerson Ave., near Eastern Avenue and Desert Inn Road.

Sun columnist Jon Ralston will moderate the discussions.

Candidates who have confirmed their attendance include U.S. Rep. Shelley Berkley, D-Nev., and her Republican opponent state Sen. Jon Porter; Republican John Ensign and Democrat Ed Bernstein, candidates for the seat being vacated by Sen. Richard Bryan, D-Nev.; and Democrat Lois Tarkanian, who is running for County Commission District C.

For more information, call Congregation Ner Tamid at 733-6292 or the Jewish Federation at 732-0556.