Las Vegas Sun

March 28, 2024

Political notebook: Herrera receives endorsement of police group

Congressional candidate Dario Herrera is hoping a new police endorsement helps overshadow his recent loss of a major law enforcement imprimatur.

The Nevada Fraternal Order of Police Lodge No. 1 this week endorsed the Democrat running for Nevada's 3rd Congressional District.

Stephen Popovich, chairman of the local FOP's political screening committee, informed Herrera of the endorsement in a letter sent Monday. The letter offers no specifics as to why the 500-member local lodge endorsed Herrera, and says only that the lodge's name can be used in Herrera's campaign literature.

The Nevada Conference of Police and Sheriffs pulled its endorsement of Herrera on July 16 amid concerns about a 1999 hard-money loan Herrera received from a man convicted in 1970 on felony bribery charges involving the Teamsters Union pension fund.

NCOPS, an umbrella organization of 13 police agencies including the Las Vegas Police Protective Association, is considered the most important law enforcement endorsement to get.

"The PPA is the largest single police organization in the state," said political consultant Kent Oram, who has handled candidates in every sheriff's race for the past two decades. "Especially in Southern Nevada, you'd call them the gorilla police endorsement."

Although law enforcement endorsements are strongest in races for sheriff, district attorney and courts, Oram said losing an endorsement is "damaging."

So how much will the FOP's pledge help Herrera in his race against Republican Jon Porter?

"They're not a player, they never have been," Oram said. "NCOPS and the PPA are absolutely, unequivocally the most important."

In an interview, Popovich said this was the first year the local FOP had a formal process for endorsements. But, the retired Greater Cleveland Area Transit Authority police officer said, this year was also "hit and miss."

The local FOP did not, for example, interview Porter.

"We did not go out and actively seek Mr. Porter, and he might not have known," Popovich said.

Still more cop support

After Sept. 11, police and firefighters matter more than ever in congressional races.

This week Republican congressional candidate Lynette Boggs McDonald was thrilled to announce an endorsement from the Police Managers and Supervisors Association.

This organization, representing 400 Metro Police and corrections brass, didn't just send a letter saying Boggs McDonald could use its name.

"It is apparent to the Board of Directors that your attributes are those which we admire in a candidate for public office, and your past performance has demonstrated your exemplary service," PMSA Chairman Thomas Plehn wrote in the endorsement letter.

And although that ain't the PPA or NCOPS, it's still an alphabet soup related to Metro that could help in Boggs McDonald's bid against Democratic Rep. Shelley Berkley in the 1st Congressional District.

Reid rolls along

Sen. Harry Reid's son is solidifying his bid to replace Dario Herrera on the Clark County Commission, thanks to more than $800,000 in donations and some key endorsements.

All this might be necessary if he had a serious opponent. But Rory Reid has no opposition in the Democratic primary and faces just a token challenge from a Republican and an Independent American candidate in November's general election.

"I just don't think you can take anything for granted, and also, regardless of who I'm running against, it's a big district and I need to know as much as possible," Reid said. "There's a message to get out."

Someone is listening.

This week he received the endorsement of the Clark County Firefighters Union for the District G commission seat Herrera now holds.

The latest support comes after Reid has already sewn up endorsements from the Las Vegas Chamber of Commerce, Nevada AFL-CIO, the Sheet Metal Workers International Association, the Southern Nevada Central Labor Council, the Las Vegas Police Protective Association, Southwest Regional Council of Carpenters, the Service Employees International Union and the Las Vegas Police Protective Association Civilian Employees.

Reid, the former chairman of the Nevada State Democratic Party, said he has not yet determined whether his campaign will financially assist other Democratic candidates -- efforts his dad's Searchlight Leadership PAC has made legend.

Schaefer city

The saga of state-hopping, confusing sign-erecting frequent candidate and disbarred attorney Michael Schaefer continues.

Now Schaefer, a candidate for Clark County public administrator and simultaneously for Congress in Arizona, is filing for bankruptcy protection.

The public administrator handles the estates for people who die without a will, or without someone to handle their affairs.

Schaefer filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy, he said, to protect himself from a $1.5 million judgment in a lawsuit against him in California involving a mortgage foreclosure.

"It's just to protect ourselves," Schaefer said. "I'm still an active candidate."

Schaefer, a former San Diego city councilman, has run for dozens of public offices in three states. He has been accused of trying to confuse voters in the past by running for public administrator against the incumbent Jared Shafer and by using a similar sign theme.

Registration ends Saturday

If you're not registered to vote, you have until Saturday to fill out the paperwork that will permit you to take part in the Sept. 3 primary.

The Clark County Elections Department, any city clerk office and the Department of Motor Vehicles all accept registration applications.

The county Election Department will be open from 8 a.m to 9 p.m. Saturday to accommodate anyone who wants to register. Call 455-VOTE for details.

For the record

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