Senate District 8

Thursday, Aug. 15, 2002 | 7:35 a.m.

Voters on both sides of the aisle will have a say as to who should replace Mark James in Senate District 8.

Three-term Assemblywoman Barbara Cegavske is running against attorney Tom Christensen on the GOP side. Small-business owner Kristen Hansen faces a challenge from pool contractor Ed Portello on the Democratic side.

Cegavske, 50, is director of development for the WestCare Foundation. During her terms in the Assembly, she has served as assistant minority leader and has been a member of the Transportation, Education and Ways and Means committees.

She is focusing on giving home builders the right to repair construction defects, health care affordability, restructuring the tax system, protecting seniors' access to health care and working to keep doctors in Nevada.

Christensen, 46, is a partner in the Christensen Law Offices, a court-appointed arbitrator and Supreme Court mediator.

He supports the traditional family structure, including support of the Question 2 "Protection of Marriage" initiative. He also wants to see tax dollars wisely spent on education; to improve neighborhood parks and roads; to solve traffic congestion; and to equip firefighters and police officers with more resources.

The winner will face either Hansen or Portello.

Hansen, 53, owns Kristen & Friends Manufacturers' Representative Sales Group. She previously ran unsuccessfully for Assembly District 5.

Hansen is focusing on education, diversifying Nevada's economy and reducing student-to-teacher ratios and hiring more bilingual and math and science teachers.

Portello, 69, owns Portello Pools and said his campaign is focused on a platform of "honesty, integrity and commitment."