Analysis: Herrera’s run could bring tension to board

Adrienne Packer

Thursday, Jan. 24, 2002 | 11:12 a.m.

Barbs from Republicans were expected during Clark County Commissioner Dario Herrera's run for Congress, but the young Democrat has also encountered obstacles from unexpected sources: his colleagues.

One commissioner has said publicly he is not behind Herrera, and another is questioning his decision-making on the board.

The question is whether political maneuvering for the November election will influence a board sometimes hampered by personality conflicts and infighting.

Clark County Manager Thom Reilly said that party lines tend to play a more significant role around campaign season, but he is confident board members will overcome challenges posed by the upcoming election.

"I think the board is able to keep their duties as county commissioners separate from their support for any political effort," Reilly said. "They've done it in the past, and I don't think they'll have a problem doing it now."

Republican Bruce Woodbury, a 20-year member of the commission and Herrera's neighbor on the dais, has committed to working on state Sen. Jon Porter's congressional campaign team as the November election draws closer.

Porter, who has raised $600,000 to Herrera's $750,000, is by far the greatest threat to Herrera.

"I had a long-standing commitment to be part of Jon's campaign," Woodbury said of the state senator. "I told his people awhile back that if they want me to be involved, I will be."

Woodbury discussed his role on Porter's team with Herrera and assured Herrera his choice for the seat in the 3rd Congressional District is nothing personal.

"Jon and I go way back, and I think highly of him," Woodbury said. "(Herrera) understands that virtually all Republican (office) holders will support Porter. That's business as usual."

Herrera repeatedly said he can only take Woodbury for his word and emphasized that, as commissioners, the two have common goals -- fighting the transportation of nuclear waste to Yucca Mountain and Nevada Power's proposed rate hike.

"He assured me his role in the Porter campaign would be a limited and ceremonial one; that it won't interfere with our close relationship," Herrera said.

But whether Woodbury truly will be only a spectator remains to be seen. Herrera said he was surprised Woodbury spoke out against Herrera's November appearance on the county's cable-access channel. Woodbury said the appearance gave Herrera an unfair advantage in his campaign.

Pete O'Neil, an Independent Party congressional candidate, claimed Herrera's 30-second public service announcement on a new county prescription drug plan served as a campaign tool for the congressional seat.

One day after O'Neil criticized Herrera, Woodbury recommended the county write a clearer policy addressing elected officials' use of the county's station during campaign seasons.

"I do find it surprising considering that he had previously done (public service announcements.) In fact, we've done one jointly to promote literacy," Herrera said of Woodbury. "I can only take his comments on face value and out of what he believes is good public policy."

Woodbury isn't the only commissioner whose comments have the potential to hurt Herrera's bid.

During discussions with top Service Employees International Union (SEIU) leaders, Commissioner Erin Kenny denounced an interlocal agreement recently struck between Clark County and the city of Las Vegas.

Kenny's message that the agreement could take funding from the county and hurt union members at the bargaining table has concerned Herrera. Herrera, who needs union support, was a proponent of the agreement.

Kenny did not return messages, but SEIU Executive Director Tom Beatty said the commissioner has not pinned the approval of the controversial agreement on any one board member.

"She's taken one position; Dario's taken another," Beatty said. "That's all there is to it."

Reilly said his office has received calls from union members seeking additional information about the northwest interlocal agreement, which limits commercial development in rural areas and allows the city to annex county islands.

Herrera said he has asked for a financial analysis of the agreement to prove it will not damage county coffers.

"This is a political environment and I understand especially in an election year people may do certain things they might not otherwise do," Herrera said. "I respect their right to do it, but I don't particularly think it should affect the important work we're doing."com