Nevada AFL-CIO endorses Guinn

Thursday, June 20, 2002 | 9:58 a.m.

Few surprises emerged Wednesday as the Nevada AFL-CIO unveiled endorsements in major political races.

Republican Gov. Kenny Guinn, who received a standing ovation at the union's national convention in Las Vegas earlier this year, was endorsed in his re-election bid over Democratic state Sen. Joe Neal, D-North Las Vegas.

The union stuck to tradition with its ties to Democrats by endorsing Dario Herrera over Republican Jon Porter in the 3rd Congressional District race. It also endorsed Erin Kenny in her bid to unseat Lorraine Hunt as lieutenant governor and John Hunt's campaign for attorney general against Republican Brian Sandoval.

Three key legislative races will also be the focus of the union's efforts this fall.

The AFL-CIO backed John Hawk in the race for state Senate District 5 over Republican Assemblywoman Sandra Tiffany, R-Henderson. The union backed Terry Lamuraglia over Republicans Richard Bunker and Dennis Nolan running for state Senate District 9. And an endorsement went to Joe Carter in his attempt to upset state Sen. Maurice Washington, R-Sparks, in a key Northern Nevada race.

The union also passed a resolution opposing the proposed nuclear waste repository at Yucca Mountain, but stated that if the dump is approved, it should be built with union labor.

Striking bus drivers in Las Vegas also won support from the union in a unanimous vote to support Local 1637 of the Amalgamated Transit Union. Bus drivers have been on strike since May 20 and have twice rejected contract offers from the company.