Political notebook: Kenny wants to set record straight

Erin Neff

Friday, Aug. 23, 2002 | 9:12 a.m.

Whether it's a system to return abducted kids to their families, international tourism or even cows, Erin Kenny wants it known she's responsible.

An unusually detailed report at Tuesday's county commission meeting discussed the strides McCarran International Airport has taken to increase international flights.

Why was this on the agenda?

Because Kenny is running for lieutenant governor against Republican incumbent Lorraine Hunt, who had been taking credit for boosting international travel to Nevada.

Kenny also bristled at press reports of Assembly Speaker Richard Perkins' proposed legislation to create an Amber Alert system in Nevada. It was she, Kenny insisted, who thought of it before her fellow Democrat.

And no blowing methane -- it was the Illinois native herself who first thought Chicago's Cow Parade would work well here.

Zealous candidates

The signs are everywhere, but when some of them popped up at a Smith's early voting site this week, one candidate got a scolding.

Clark County Registrar of Voters Larry Lomax contacted County Commission candidate Nevada Stupak on Wednesday after Stupak lined the grocery store's parking lot at Nellis Boulevard and Stewart Avenue with his campaign signs.

"That's private property and we don't pay these stores to be there," Lomax said after he chastised Stupak.

Candidates must get permission from property owners, and be 100 feet or more away from the polls, before hanging any signs.

"Some of these candidates just get so zealous," Lomax said.

Stupak, a Democrat and son of gaming entrepreneur Bob Stupak, is running for the District E seat against incumbent Democrat Myrna Williams and Democrat Tony Badillo.

Restaurant menu

The Nevada Restaurant Association is trying to become more politically active by serving up endorsements as a guide for its 200 restaurant members.

Van Heffner, president and CEO of the association, encouraged the restaurants to share the endorsement list with their employees.

The association leans heavily toward Republicans, endorsing Gov. Kenny Guinn and Lt. Gov. Lorraine Hunt in their re-election bids and Jon Porter for Nevada's 3rd Congressional District seat.

Barbara Cegavske, Sandra Tiffany and Maurice Washington, all Republicans, were all endorsed for state Senate bids, and Republican Mark James won the endorsement for his County Commission District F race.

Incumbent Republican Assembly members Merle Berman, David Brown, Dawn Gibbons, Greg Brower, John Marvel and John Carpenter won endorsements, as did Republican candidates Josh Griffin and Walter Andonov in open Assembly seats.

Incumbents Morse Arberry Jr., Vonne Chowning and David Goldwater were the only Democrats to receive primary endorsements from the group.

O'Connell has options

State Sen. Ann O'Connell, R-Las Vegas, has the equivalent of pocket aces heading into the next legislative session.

She might not choose to play them in the high stakes game to control the Senate Republican caucus, but lawmakers are quietly lining up behind her, telling her they'd support her if she challenged Senate Majority Leader Bill Raggio, R-Reno, for the leadership post.

She has the votes, but isn't likely to call for them.

And while she's not folding just yet, she will likely keep those hole cards for a few months just in case she changes her mind about control.

For the record

The League of Women Voters of Las Vegas Valley and the Alliance for Better Campaigns will present a panel forum on free air time for political candidates at 5:30 p.m. Sept. 10 at the Flamingo Library, 1401 E. Flamingo Ave. Secretary of State Dean Heller will speak. For information call 896-4611.

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