Secretary of State

Thursday, Aug. 15, 2002 | 8:48 a.m.

Republican Secretary of State Dean Heller has competitors from every party except his own as he seeks a third term in office.

Democrat William "Wild Bill" Hamma, Natural Law candidate Lois Avery, Independent American Christopher Hansen and Green party candidate Paul Lenart are all competing for Heller's position overseeing the Elections, Commercial Recordings, Securities Fraud and Notary divisions of the state. None of the candidates have opponents in the primary.

Heller served two terms in the State Assembly representing Carson City and two years as chief deputy state treasurer before becoming the youngest elected secretary of state in Nevada history in 1994. The former stockbroker and commercial banking consultant for Bank of America has served on multiple state boards such as the State Board of Examiners, State Board of Prison Commissioners, the Governor's Steering Committee on Fundamental Review of State Government and the Tahoe Regional Planning Agency.

Hamma has run unsuccessfully for the Reno City Council, the Washoe County Commission and the State Treasurer's Office. The Reno resident wants the public to be able to inspect ballots and wants to stop the ongoing growth in Nevada, Hamma said. He also said he will donate most of his salary to charity if elected.

Avery, the controller for her own small corporation, said she wants to improve the integrity of voting machines. Most of the machines are not certified before elections, which is paramount to a criminal offense, Avery said. She is the founder of the Natural Law party in Nevada and a member of the Washoe County Citizen Advisory Board.

Hansen is a chief executive of Nevada Artisans, a small company that works with computer repairs, Web design and software. Hansen is running for secretary of state because he said state election laws are not being followed. Hansen is also chairman of the Nevada JAIL for Judges and on the national board for the organization that keeps a watchful "eye on judges."

Lenart is a respiratory therapist who has organized local unions such as the Communication Workers Association and the Service Employees International Union. He also said he wants to see improvements in how elections are run so that there are "no more Floridas."