Law officers, firefighters to endorse Nolan campaign

Erin Neff

Friday, Dec. 7, 2001 | 10:10 a.m.

Although his own party leadership has cast him out and he faces an opponent with a giant campaign coffer, Assemblyman Dennis Nolan is not giving up his bid for the state Senate.

In fact Nolan will join with representatives of law enforcement and firefighters this afternoon in an effort to lure Republicans to both fund his campaign and vote for him next fall.

Nolan's opponent in the GOP primary for Senate District 9, Bill Brady, has already received the key endorsements of the Senate Republican Caucus and Las Vegas Chamber of Commerce, even though Nolan has served four sessions in the Legislature.

Today Nolan's campaign will get the boost from a variety of law enforcement and firefighting affiliations as they endorse him for the seat.

"I hope this shows that I'm not going away and that people in the party do have a choice," Nolan said.

In a press release announcing today's endorsement photo opportunity, Nolan questions why Senate Majority Leader Bill Raggio, R-Reno, threw his caucus' support behind Brady, a former Assemblyman and owner of Brady Industries.

"Nolan supports a change in the Senate leadership while Brady, would support Raggio who saw to his endorsement," Nolan's press release says.

Nolan said he believes Raggio backed Brady to keep control of the Senate Republicans although some Southern Nevadan Republicans would like to see their caucus led by a Las Vegan.

"The significance of the race may very well determine the balance of power between the north and south in the Senate for future sessions to come," Nolan said.

In addition to today's endorsements, Nolan's campaign will get another boost next week when he travels to Washington, D.C., at President George Bush's invitation.

Nolan, a transportation safety consultant, was a finalist for a top job in the Occupational Safety and Health Administration earlier this year and is well known within the Bush administration, which offered him a job as Associate Director of Intergovernmental Affairs.

Nolan will attend a meeting next Wednesday of about 30 state legislators from around the country at the White House with Bush and Homeland Security Director Tom Ridge.

"It will give us a chance to ask questions and get some up-to-date information," Nolan said.

Nolan also plans a Dec. 15 fund-raiser at the Stardust hotel-casino to help finance his campaign against the $250,000 of personal money Brady has pledged to the race.