Moran Jr. won’t run for dad’s old job

Tuesday, Nov. 27, 2001 | 10:38 a.m.

John Moran Jr. made it official Monday that he will not follow in his father's footsteps by running for sheriff.

Moran said Monday he was making his decision public to allow people who had indicated they would support him to concentrate on other candidates.

"I wanted to make a decision as soon as possible to give everyone time," Moran said.

Moran decided to stick to the law practice he has built over the past 30 years and to concentrate time to the work he is currently doing as the appointed chairman of the Nevada Wildlife Commission, he said.

"I'm already spending time away from the office each month for a two-day meeting somewhere in the state," Moran said. "Sheriff would be a 24/7 job, and that's just not something I'm able to devote my energies to right now."

Moran said he considers Bill Young the best selection for sheriff among the candidates who have already announced their intentions to run.

"Based on the people I've seen, Bill Young is a very good candidate for sheriff," Moran said.

Young, 45, is a deputy chief with Metro who has 23 years of experience in the department and is considered by many the front-runner in the race since Sheriff Jerry Keller surprised many by announcing he would not seek another term.

Metro Lt. Steve Franks and Detective Gordon Martines also have announced bids for sheriff. Metro Capt. Gary Schofield also is considering a run.

Moran said his family's history intrigued him in a run, but his current family life won out.

"I know my dad would've liked me to run, but the most important thing to me was the quality of life issues that I would have had to give up," Moran said.

Assembly race

Assemblywoman Vonne Chowning, D-North Las Vegas, said Monday she will run for re-election, but it will require her to move a few blocks into another Assembly district.

The 2001 Legislature reapportioned the Assembly, putting Democrats Chowning and Doug Bache of Las Vegas in the same district. Bache said he intends to run for re-election in that district.

Chowning, who has served six terms, said she will move into her old District 28, where there is no incumbent.

Chowning has been chairwoman of the Assembly Transportation Committee for the last three sessions and was co-chairwoman in the 1995 Legislature, when Democrats and Republicans shared the chairmanships.

Vandever won't run

Clark County Recorder Judy Vandever will not seek a third term next year.

Vandever, a Democrat who was first elected in 1994, has thought for several years about not seeking another term.

Bob Spencer, a fellow Democrat and tax auditor in her office, announced earlier this month that he would seek the auditor's position.

Vandever will retire at the end of her term, at which time she will have worked for the county 23 years.