Political notebook: Porter criticized over Hispanic issue

Erin Neff and Diana Sahagun

Friday, Feb. 9, 2001 | 10:46 a.m.

The lines for Nevada's third congressional seat have yet to be drawn, but political mud is already being hurled in the race to enter the race.

On Thursday, the Nevada Hispanic Democratic Caucus issued a press release claiming state Sen. Jon Porter, R-Henderson, was pandering to Hispanic voters by "embellishing his involvement" in establishing a permanent Mexican Consulate in Southern Nevada.

"I am pleased that Jon Porter recognizes the importance of a Mexican consul in Nevada, and the increasing importance of Hispanic issues to this state," said Andres Ramirez in the press release. "However, I am concerned about his misleading statements and question whether his motives are to attract Hispanic voters in the next election or to truly assist our community."

Ramirez, chairman of the caucus, left a contact number at the state Democratic headquarters, but efforts to reach him there were unsuccessful.

The press release alleges Porter fibbed in a recent press release when he said he was working with Jose Salgado, consul of the San Bernardino Mexican Consulate.

Ramirez claims Salgado never spoke with Porter about the partnership, although the press release states that Salgado's staff did speak with Porter's staff about the consulate.

So is the press release really calling attention to pandering, or is it an attempt to discredit a possible opponent by one of Southern Nevada's best-known Hispanic leaders?

Clark County Commission Chairman Dario Herrera plans to run for the state's third congressional seat. Porter, who just last year lost to Shelley Berkley for Congress, is also considering running for the seat.

"The fact that it came on the letterhead of the Democratic caucus tells me that it's partisan politics," Porter said.

Porter said he first learned of the need for a consulate when he talked to Hispanics during last year's campaign. Residents told him they were having trouble obtaining passports, dealing with Immigration and Naturalization Services and opening new businesses.

Staffers began talking to more constituents who did not understand the North American Free Trade Agreement or how their relatives from Mexico could get medical help when they visited Nevada.

"We just picked up the phone to see what we could do," Porter said.

City Council

Las Vegas City Council members Michael Mack and Lawrence Weekly will have one less candidate running against them in the upcoming primary election.

This week, James Ache dropped out of the race for Ward 6, Mack's ward. His absence leaves three others who will try to take the seat of the councilman, who was appointed in January 2000.

Teacher Harvey Mumford dropped out of the race this week for Ward 5, Weekly's ward. Weekly faces six other candidates. The councilman has never been elected by the voters, and was also appointed to the council in January 2000.

The primary election is April 3. If no candidates receive 50 percent plus one vote, the top two vote-getters will move on to the June 5 general election.