Some legislators already are looking at other opportunities

Erin Neff

Friday, June 22, 2001 | 3:56 a.m.

The 2001 Legislature left a bad taste in the mouths of many lawmakers.

Perhaps that's why an unprecedented number are considering other offices.

At least five of the 63 lawmakers are mulling runs for U.S. Congress, Clark County Commission, attorney general and even governor. And each of those races are more than 16 months away.

The congressional race is drawing the most national attention as both Republican and Democratic leaders in Washington watched Nevada's reapportionment process and made frequent calls to ensure the district would make victory easier for their party.

Sen. Jon Porter, R-Henderson, is compiling his campaign team and launching fund-raisers to run for Nevada's 3rd Congressional District.

"A good share of the congressional district is in my Senate district," Porter said. "It's where I've served for eight years in the Senate and as Boulder City mayor and councilman before that."

Since Clark County Commission Chairman Dario Herrera has already announced he will run for the new congressional seat, Assemblyman David Goldwater must decide whether he has enough support to challenge a fellow Democrat.

"It's an uphill district, and I have to find that there are some very important groups that are excited about me being a U.S. congressman before I do it," Goldwater, D-Las Vegas, said.

Porter said Herrera's reported $500,000 in fund-raising should not be seen as an advantage.

"When I made a decision to run against (Congresswoman) Shelley Berkley, she had $1 million in the bank, and we raised dollar for dollar the same amount she did," Porter said.

Herrera's open commission seat is drawing high interest even before the new district boundaries are formally approved.

Sen. Dina Titus, D-Las Vegas, has long expressed an interest in the county seat but last week took a step back when she learned former state Democratic Party Chairman Rory Reid is thinking about running.

Titus, the Senate minority leader, is deciding whether to run for County Commission or even governor. She is less than enthusiastic about returning to the Republican-dominated state Senate.

"It's not a session that I'm proud of," Titus said, adding that she is "disheartened" with the Senate.

Perhaps the most intriguing race could pit lawmakers Mark James and Barbara Buckley in a bid for state attorney general.

Attorney General Frankie Sue Del Papa, a Democrat, has not decided whether she will seek a fourth term.

Sen. James, R-Las Vegas, who was widely lauded this session for a tax initiative that helped fund teacher raises, is considering his options.

"It was my objective to have a successful session with the education issue as my prime focus," James said. "I didn't want (political aspirations) to be part of my calculus."

Buckley, D-Las Vegas, served as Assembly majority leader and won praise from lawmakers, lobbyists and media alike for her child welfare legislation and leadership abilities.

Buckley said she would not rule out a run if Del Papa doesn't seek re-election. However, she said she is also happy where she is.

"I feel that I have the best of all worlds right now," said Buckley, who works for Clark County Legal Services. "As Assembly majority leader, I'm able to influence bills, and with a citizens' Legislature I'm still able to keep my great job."