Guinn, Porter attend GOP rally

Greg Tuttle

Tuesday, Sept. 19, 2000 | 10:30 a.m.

Republicans were not to be outdone Monday by the Las Vegas visit of Vice President Al Gore, mustering Nevada Gov. Kenny Guinn and congressional candidate Jon Porter to a luncheon rally of party faithful at the MGM Grand.

The gathering was part of Porter's stepped up fund-raising efforts as he attempts to unseat incumbent Rep. Shelley Berkley, D-Nev., for the state's 1st Congressional District. The race is being viewed by both parties as a pivotal contest for control of the House of Representatives.

After munching on a gourmet meal at Coyote Cafe with about 30 guests, Porter took aim at a recent poll showing Berkley leading the race by 16 points. A Republican poll shows the race much closer -- a difference of only nine or 10 points, said Porter, a state senator from Henderson.

And the race is even closer among voters who have heard of Porter's campaign and among Democrats who may cast ballots based on issues rather than party affiliation, said Porter.

Porter said his name recognition has increased from about 10 percent to more than 60 percent since March when his campaign began to kick into gear.

"As of right now, it's a one-point race of those who know us both," Porter said.

Guinn tried to energize the crowd by pledging to "walk with Porter" in the final weeks leading to the Nov. 7 general election. He cautioned those in attendance to be wary of polls, noting he won the governor's job by a landslide after pollsters predicted a much closer race.

Porter also said Berkley has a dismal voting record on taxes, casting 183 votes in Congress against tax-reduction proposals.

Berkley's chief of staff, Richard Urey, disputed the statement. Many congressional votes include taxing measures that usually have little to do with overall tax policy, he said. He estimated Berkley has voted 100 times to reduce taxes in various ways.

"It's a word game," Urey said of Porter's statement. "It's playing extremely fast and loose with her voting record."