Attorney General

Thursday, Aug. 15, 2002 | 8:51 a.m.

Three candidates are running unopposed in primaries for Nevada Attorney General -- Democrat John Hunt, Republican Brian Sandoval and Independent American Jonathan Hansen.

Hunt, now in his own private firm, has worked for the Morton Galane law firm, the Nevada Gaming Control Board Audit Division and as a legal intern for Sen. Howard Cannon. The retired U.S. Air Force Sergeant said he plans to aggressively fight Yucca Mountain, work toward a better remedy in the malpractice insurance crisis and deter utility rate increases.

Chairman of the Nevada Gaming Commission, Sandoval has also served two terms in the Nevada Legislature. As a legislator, the 12-year attorney worked on the Advisory Commission on Sentencing, Legislative Committee on Juvenile Justice and the Advisory Council on Community Notification of Sex Offenders. In addition to fighting Yucca Mountain and utility rate increases, Sandoval said he plans to work to prevent violence in schools, enhance penalties for and increase protections against child abuse, and fight fraud such as identity theft.

Hansen has worked as an attorney for three years, specifically handling civil rights cases against "oppressive" government regulations, he said. The self-described "constitutional scholar" lost a bid for State Assembly in 2000. He also said he wants to take on the courtroom battle against Yucca Mountain.