Political notebook: Guinn picks up new union endorsement

Friday, Dec. 7, 2001 | 10:39 a.m.

Gov. Kenny Guinn added another endorsement to his 2002 re-election bid Thursday in a week that saw unprecedented support for him in an unlikely place.

The Professional Fire Fighters of Nevada added their endorsement to the arsenal the Republican incumbent has already amassed before a Democrat even enters the race.

Guinn has also been endorsed by the Peace Officers' Research Associations of Nevada, the Nevada Conference of Police and Sheriffs, the Las Vegas and Reno/Sparks Chambers of Commerce, the Latin Chamber of Commerce and the Nevada Carpenters Union.

On Monday, Guinn was strongly praised by Nevada AFL-CIO Secretary-Treasurer Danny Thompson as a fighter for working families and a progressive leader. Guinn received a standing ovation after his address.

The Culinary Union has not yet said whether it will endorse Guinn, but individual union members cheered wildly for Guinn on Monday.

Goodman to host Frank

Las Vegas Mayor Oscar Goodman will co-host a reception Sunday for Rep. Barney Frank, D-Mass.

The Stonewall Democratic Club of Southern Nevada will host a series of events, including the fund-raiser reception with the mayor during Frank's visit.

Frank is the most visible openly gay politician in America and will be in town to help raise money for the local chapter of Stonewall Democrats.

The mayor's reception will be from 6 to 7 p.m. at Paris Las Vegas. A suggested donation of $100 includes a ticket to "Wit and Wisdom -- An Evening with Barney Frank." Admission to this event is by invitation only.

Tickets to Frank's presentation, which runs from 7 to 9 p.m. and includes hors d'ouevres, are $30 in advance and $35 at the door. That event is open.

For information: Call Dan Hinkley at 214-3610.

Porter campaign

Republicans are downplaying the departure of state Sen. Jon Porter's campaign manager, Carlos Castillo, this week.

Castillo said he resigned as manager of Porter's campaign for Congress so he could move to Arizona and spend more time with his girlfriend.

GOP official Mike Slanker said Porter's campaign originally was going to hire a manager in January or February of 2002, but decided to hire Castillo because he seemed a good fit.

Slanker said the campaign will probably hire a replacement for Castillo in late January. Porter is running against Clark County Commission Chairman Dario Herrera, a Democrat, for the newly created 3rd Congressional District seat. Independent candidate Pete O'Neil is also running.