Independents nominate record number

Wednesday, April 24, 2002 | 9:47 a.m.

CARSON CITY -- A rancher from Mineral County will run for governor on the Independent American Party ticket in the November election.

David Holmgren, who will be making his first try for political office, was nominated by the party at its weekend convention in Elko, which drew about 60 delegates.

Steve Dempsey was chosen to run against Rep. Shelley Berkley, D-Nev., in the 1st Congressional District; Janine Hansen of Sparks will challenge Rep. Jim Gibbons, R-Nev., in the 2nd Congressional District; and Dick O'Dell of Las Vegas will vie for the new 3rd Congressional District seat.

Running on the state ticket will be Ike Yochum of Carson City for lieutenant governor; Christopher Hansen of Henderson for secretary of state; Jonathan Hansen of Las Vegas for attorney general; John Lusk of Las Vegas for controller; and Mark Andrews of Las Vegas for treasurer.

Janine Hansen, a spokeswoman for the party, said it will field up to 45 candidates for offices, including the Legislature, County Commission and other county offices. She said this is the most the party has ever put on the ballot and may be a record for a third party in Nevada.

The list will be filed May 6 when filing for political office opens.

Jess Howe of Las Vegas was chosen state chairman of the IAP at the convention.

Latest figures from the secretary of state's office show 14,691 people are registered as voters in the Independent American Party, the third largest party in Nevada.

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