Republican race is among most watched

Erin Neff

Friday, Aug. 9, 2002 | 10:54 a.m.

Although Richard Bunker has known every political player in the state for the past 30 years, he worries whether voters know who he is.

And while Assemblyman Dennis Nolan has already been elected four times, he fears he might not have enough money to beat Bunker in the Republican primary for state Senate District 9.

The race for the seat, vacated by Republican bad boy Bill O'Donnell, is among the most watched leading up to the Sept. 3 primary. Republicans wonder whether they'll get another man willing to question their party's leaders and Democrats hope the GOP bashes itself enough to open the door for Democrat Terry Lamuraglia in November, and thus pull one seat closer to retaking the majority.

"There are 600 to 700 inside players that I know in Nevada, but boy I guarantee you, that when you walk outside that circle, you're not known," said Bunker, 68, a sixth generation Nevadan and lifelong Las Vegan.

Bunker began airing television commercials Aug. 5 to "introduce" himself to voters as a former assistant city manager in Las Vegas, former Clark County manager and former chairman of the state Gaming Control Board. Bunker has been a lobbyist for 30 years, mostly for the gaming industry, has served as president of the Nevada Resort Association, and is currently chairman of the Colorado River Commission.

Nolan says he has less introducing to do, but much less money to help do it.

"I don't perceive, nor did I ever, that the seat I'm running for is mine," said Nolan, 41, a former safety consultant now pursuing a real estate career. "I just didn't expect to have to run against three opponents all with the same motive and common denominator and support from those who can limit my ability to raise money."

During the 2001 Legislature, the four-term assemblyman suggested the time has come for Senate Majority Leader Bill Raggio, R-Reno, to relinquish his leadership post in favor of a Southern Nevadan due to the large population base in Clark County.

Raggio was already having trouble in his caucus with O'Donnell and sought a longtime friend to run against him. Businessman Bill Brady agreed, pouring $250,000 of his own money into the race just after O'Donnell announced his political retirement and Nolan decided to run.

Brady immediately won the important Senate Republican Caucus endorsement, all but shutting Nolan out of the fund-raising. But Brady surprisingly dropped out of the race citing unspecified concerns about this business.

Brian Scroggins, who had initially planned to run against Assembly Majority Leader Barbara Buckley, D-Las Vegas, filed to run against Nolan for the Senate.

"I think there was some question about his viability," Bunker said. "I talked with him and told him I can raise money and Brian was just a super guy about it. When I filed, he withdrew."

Nolan said he could have easily withdrawn, especially after Raggio shut off his money. Instead he decided to focus on a grassroots campaign hoping that the 55 percent of Senate district residents who were in his assembly district can support him.

"Unfortunately we won't have the money, but I believe we've raised all the money that we need to get the message out," Nolan said. "I hope that voters don't let money buy an election."

Nolan would not comment on how much he has raised, although sources put his campaign funds at well under $100,000. Bunker reportedly has raised hundreds of thousands and has sewn up endorsements, labor help and many believe, a block of conservative voters in the Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints community.

Bunker said the jury is still out on whether the LDS vote and Question 2 -- the so-called protection of marriage initiative will have a role in the race.

Nolan, a Protestant, said he hopes he can also appeal to LDS voters because he said the thought he shared their conservative ideals.

The two candidates have similar beliefs on issues, highlighted by their strong support for tort reform in the medical malpractice crisis.

Bunker said he is also concerned about construction defects, and supports legislation that will assist good builders from out-of-state attorneys who, Bunker said, are often just looking to make a buck.

He said he supports a tax package to raise revenue for education and other spending needs. In 1990, Bunker served on a committee that suggested implementing a gross receipts business tax. The Legislature instead opted for the current $25 per employee tax that many today deride as insufficient.

Nolan said he supports examining different tax options depending on how much revenue is truly needed. A father of three public school students, Nolan also favors adding accountability measures in schools.

"I really do believe we're going to win," Nolan said. "It's been a very long difficult year, but I think it'll be worth the effort."

Bunker, who has four children and nine grandchildren, thinks voters who get to know him will send him to Carson City. Once there he pledged to be a faithful member of the Republican caucus for Raggio.

"I think he's anxious to have me there," Bunker said. "I think he's looking for all the help he can get."

Although the district has a 3,000 voter Republican edge, Lamuraglia -- the Democrat -- awaits the winner of the GOP primary convinced he can win the November election.

Lamuraglia, 47, is currently a special projects manager for Clark County. He is a Navy veteran and former Clark County fire inspector. Lamaruglia is running on four issues -- medical malpractice, improving schools, fighting unnecessary utility rate hikes and improving access to quality health care.