Goodman makes it clear: He’s backing Berkley’s bid

Diana Sahagun

Tuesday, Oct. 23, 2001 | 9:19 a.m.

Las Vegas Mayor Oscar Goodman, a Democrat, hopped off the fence Monday in the race for a U.S. House seat between City Council colleague Lynette Boggs McDonald and Democratic incumbent Shelley Berkley.

Goodman "unequivocally" endorsed Berkley for Nevada's 1st Congressional District at a press conference, scheduled by Berkley's staff, on the steps of the George Federal Building.

Berkley said the endorsement, early into her 13-month campaign, "meant everything to her."

How the mayor's endorsement of Berkley will affect Boggs McDonald, who is trying to become the first black Republican congresswoman in history, remains in question.

Boggs McDonald has gained the support of several black Democrats, including state Sen. Joe Neal. Las Vegas Councilman Lawrence Weekly and Assemblyman Wendell Williams, D-Las Vegas, also pledged their support to the councilwoman.

Whether their support will prompt longtime Democrats to vote outside party lines won't be known until November 2002.

Boggs McDonald was touring a furniture mart in High Point, N.C., similar to one proposed for downtown Las Vegas, and could not be reached for comment Monday. Goodman said he contacted her staff Monday morning to inform her of his decision.

Goodman said he decided to endorse Berkley because she has a proven track record, specifically in regard to the Yucca Mountain project and the fight to keep nuclear waste out of Nevada. Although he commended Boggs McDonald's effort on the council, he said Berkley was the best person for the job.

Berkley, a longtime friend of Goodman who asked for his endorsement about six weeks ago, was taken aback by comments he made Thursday during his press conference. Goodman at that time said he would support both candidates and would attend political functions held for both women.

Goodman said that he "equivocated " Thursday because he did not want to hurt his council colleague. He added that his weekly press conference is conducted to deal with city business and is not meant for political grandstanding.

"I felt City Hall wasn't the appropriate place to make the announcement," he said. "Shelley is special to me, and I think I hurt her feelings."

Berkley said that Goodman would have preferred delaying the announcement, but he thought it necessary to clarify the situation.

Goodman -- who endorsed Boggs McDonald in her council race earlier this year and appeared in her campaign fliers -- said he would not appear at the councilwoman's political events or in her campaign literature.

Goodman in 1999 pushed for Boggs McDonald's appointment to the City Council seat vacated by Arnie Adamson. She proved to be an ally when she cast the swing vote to appoint Michael Mack to the newly created Ward 6 seat in December 1999. The move shifted the balance of power to Goodman.

"I hope there will not be any hard feelings between Lynette Boggs McDonald and myself," Goodman said. "She has been very supportive of my agenda, and I hope she understands the realities of life and politics."