Political notebook: IP candidate O’Neil taking on Herrera

Erin Neff

Friday, Feb. 1, 2002 | 9:12 a.m.

The race for Nevada's new congressional seat has long been hyped as a two-man affair.

But increasingly it's Independent Party candidate Pete O'Neil, and not Republican state Sen. Jon Porter, who seems to be running a campaign against Dario Herrera, the Democratic Clark County commissioner.

While O'Neil has been barking about Nevada Power's proposed rate hike, and scored a coup by attacking Herrera's use of the county's television station, Porter -- his campaign says -- has been quietly raising money.

Some Republicans are hoping Porter emerges tomorrow and doesn't get spooked by his shadow for the next six weeks.

"So far I'm not impressed," one local GOP stalwart said. "This guy O'Neil has been making more noise than Jon, and Jon is supposedly the front-runner."

Porter's campaign did offer their man up for comment this week on the president's State of the Union address.

The Republican said he agreed with everything Bush said and offered the specific, "It made me feel proud to be an American."

Porter might peek out to see the Sun after this item, hoping this year's Groundhog Day doesn't play out like the movie, in which characters are trapped in a repetitive cycle. For Porter, deja vu could mean constantly replaying his failed 2000 congressional campaign.

Parnell faces challenge

Democrats are already battling to find candidates for the state's constitutional offices, and now they have another Assembly seat to defend as well.

A former Carson City mayoral candidate announced he will run against Assemblywoman Bonnie Parnell, D-Carson City, who is seeking a third term.

Tom Keeton, 69, a Republican, was defeated in his 2000 bid for Carson City mayor, but says the experience taught him a lot about politics. If elected to the Assembly Keeton said he wants to keep the state out of local government.

"It's Big Brother making the decisions for cities and counties that they are better able to make for themselves," he said.

Fund-raisers abound

Candidates for any office will tell you raising money is their least favorite activity.

But plenty of them proved quite successful stuffing their warchests last month.

District Judge Michael Cherry went hog wild, pulling in $20,000 for his re-election bid during a 300-person fund-raiser at the Harley-Davidson Cafe on Jan. 23.

Attorney General candidate Brian Sandoval raised $100,000 on Tuesday at a fund-raiser hosted by attorney Frank Schreck and gaming executives.

Even candidates who eschew special interest money are pleased to show off their campaign's finances. Pete O'Neil, an Independent candidate for Nevada's 3rd Congressional District, reports $3,443 in contributions.

Clark County Commission Chairman

and congressional candidate Dario Herrera will speak at a meeting of the Women's Democratic Club of Clark County on Feb. 14. The meeting includes lunch at Lawry's at 11:30 a.m. The cost is $20 if a seat is reserved in advance and $23 at the door. For information call 615-4522. com