‘Political neophyte’ Dushoff plans run for governor

Monday, April 15, 2002 | 10:59 a.m.

Recognizing that he is a "political neophyte," Deputy Attorney General Matthew Dushoff said today he will make his voice heard in his efforts to unseat Republican Gov. Kenny Guinn.

The 36-year-old attorney, who twice lost as a candidate for local court positions, surprised fellow Democrats at the Clark County Democratic Convention Saturday with the announcement that he is running for governor.

Dushoff, who has worked for the AG's office for more than eight years, said today he knows he will not raise anywhere near the money Guinn has or will have in his warchest.

"I am a state employee, so I have tons of money," he joked, then seriously said: "Will I be able to raise money? Absolutely. Will I raise the amount Kenny Guinn has? No. I'm realistic.

"I hope to raise enough money to get my message out. I may be a political neophyte, but I will get my message out."

Dushoff's message will be that while he likes Guinn, the governor has not properly handled major issues such as the proposed nuclear dump at Yucca Mountain, the medical malpractice insurance crisis and Nevada's poor education rating.

"Why was the medical malpractice issue allowed to get so bad? The same is true with Yucca Mountain, which we have known about for years. We are closing the barn door after the cows got out," Dushoff said.

"I have friends who are teachers buying supplies out of their pockets for their students because the system cannot afford it. With our state's wealth, we should be No. 1 in education."

At the convention Dushoff had not been scheduled to speak, but took the lectern to make what turned out to be an impromptu but rousing announcement.

Dushoff ran for Municipal Court judge in Henderson in 1999 and for justice of the peace in Henderson in 2000. He lost both races, but garnered the most votes of any of the challengers.

Dushoff was a public defender in New York City for three years before moving to Nevada.