Senate District 9

Thursday, Aug. 15, 2002 | 7:51 a.m.

Two Republicans are vying to replace Bill O'Donnell as the District 9 senator.

Four-term Assemblyman Dennis Nolan is facing Richard Bunker, chairman of the Colorado River Commission and a longtime gaming lobbyist.

Nolan, 41, is a former safety consultant and paramedic who is now starting a real-estate career. During his terms in office he has served on the Transportation and Judiciary committees.

Nolan said he is focused on medical malpractice insurance, education accountability and responding to constituent concerns.

Bunker, 68, is former assistant Las Vegas city manager, former Clark County manager, former president of the Nevada Resort Association and former chairman of the state Gaming Control Board.

He currently owns a lobbying firm and said he is concerned about home builders' rights in construction defect cases, education quality and taxes.

The winner will face Democrat Terry Lamuraglia and Independent American candidate John Lusk. Lamuraglia, 47, is a Navy veteran and current Clark County projects manager. He is focused on improving Nevada schools, fighting unnecessary utility rate hikes and improving access to affordable health care and prescription drugs.

Lusk, 31, a member of the party's county executive board, said he wants to decrease the tax burnden by reducing the size of government. He also opposes a nuclear waste dump at Yucca Mountain, citing constitutional issues.