Quisenberry drops out of race

Adrienne Packer

Thursday, July 11, 2002 | 10:53 a.m.

Esther Quisenberry absorbed her share of attacks during her campaign to take over Clark County Commissioner Erin Kenny's District F seat.

But in the end love knocked her out of the race.

Quisenberry announced Wednesday she is dropping out of the five-way race, opting instead to marry her boyfriend of two months and move to Indianapolis. Her final decision came after spending the holiday weekend in Indiana.

"It's one of those love at first sight things," Quisenberry said of Tom Schneider, who works for the development firm Melvin Simon & Associates. "I got on the plane Monday thinking I would just commute and woke up Tuesday deciding that's not at all what I want to do."

The Republican's run for office has been turbulent. Quisenberry's home was drawn out of District F during the county's redistricting process, forcing her to sell her house and move back into the northwest jurisdiction.

In May the University Medical Center board -- chaired by Kenny -- voted not to renew a $1.9 million public relations contract with Quisenberry's company, DRGM Advertising and Public Relations. The firm held the contract for eight years.

"The dynamics of the race have changed so many times; losing the contract with UMC, me having to move ...," Quisenberry said.

Quisenberry said she plans to reimburse $50,000 of the contributions her campaign team has collected, but has spent about $150,000.

She began placing phone calls to supporters Wednesday, informing them of her decision and her plans to marry in early September. Quisenberry said most are disappointed because they feel they no longer have a choice.

"In good conscience, if my heart is not in this like it has been for 18 months, it's not the right thing to do," Quisenberry said. "I've made the right decisions for the right reasons."

Quisenberry said it's unlikely she'll venture into the political arena in Indianapolis. She said she can't imagine developing the emotions for Indiana that she has for Las Vegas, a city in which she has spent all 37 years of her life.

Quisenberry's withdrawal leaves a three-way Republican primary among former state Sen. Mark James, Devin Smith and Tim Cory. Frank Boehnlein is the sole Democrat.