Parnell won’t seek return to Assembly

Thursday, April 4, 2002 | 9:44 a.m.

SUN CAPITAL BUREAU

CARSON CITY -- Two-term Assemblywoman Bonnie Parnell, D-Carson City, said she will not seek another term, becoming the sixth member of the Assembly who won't be back in 2003.

Parnell, 55, did not give a reason but said it is "nothing negative and nothing sinister."

Parnell during the last session retired from full-time schoolteaching to devote more time to her legislative duties. She has continued to teach part time.

Parnell joined Assemblyman David Humke, R-Reno, who decided against seeking re-election. Assembly members Barbara Cegavske, R-Las Vegas, Sandra Tiffany, R-Henderson and Dennis Nolan, R-Las Vegas, are all trying for the state Senate.

Assemblyman John Lee, D-Las Vegas, plans to run for state controller.

Parnell said she was proud of the legislation she sponsored, including requiring the Pledge of Allegiance to be recited daily in public schools and the $4 million she and Gov. Kenny Guinn were able to add to the Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program. During the last session, she presided over a number of sessions of the Assembly Education Committee when Chairman Wendell Williams, D-Las Vegas, was absent.

Assembly Speaker Richard Perkins, D-Henderson, said Parnell's absence would be a "tremendous loss to her constituents and to the state of Nevada."