James fails to get GOP endorsement

Erin Neff

Monday, March 11, 2002 | 9:48 a.m.

This weekend's county Republican convention lived up to the expected controversy over pre-primary endorsements.

Some incumbents, including one of the most respected GOP lawmakers, failed to receive the Clark County GOP's blessing, failing to get the required two-thirds majority to nab an endorsement.

State Sen. Mark James, R-Las Vegas, chairman of the Senate Judiciary Committee, is considered by many a future Senate Majority Leader or candidate for governor or attorney general. But the attorney was decried by many delegates Saturday as too liberal.

Attorney Tom Christensen -- a self-described conservative opposed to James' stances -- did not win the endorsement in the Senate District 8 race either.

Since the delegates couldn't muster a two-thirds majority, the endorsement was left to the county executive committee, which sided with Christensen 18-8.

Merle Berman, R-Las Vegas, also failed to get the party's endorsement in her re-election bid for Assembly District 2. Dr. Garn Mabey, an obstetrician whose great uncle was a former Utah governor, did not get the party's endorsement, but got the endorsement from the executive committee 15-14.

As expected, delegates overwhelmingly backed businessman Bill Brady over Assemblyman Dennis Nolan for the state Senate District 9 seat. Brady, a former assemblyman, won a floor vote 289-56.

Endorsements came following two-minute speeches from the candidates during the convention's lunch break. Several candidates and delegates decried the process as "a beauty contest" paying little mind to substance. But county GOP Chairman Steve Wark said the process went smoothly because it adhered to the regulations previously established for the endorsements.

Filing for office does not open until May 6. Some believe an endorsement from the party will keep other candidates from entering the race in the coming weeks. Others, including Nolan, downplay the party endorsement and put their faith in the hands of voters.