State senator bows out of race

Erin Neff

Wednesday, March 13, 2002 | 11:12 a.m.

State Sen. Mark James' sudden decision Tuesday to drop his re-election bid has shaken his own party and sparked Democrats to try to win his seat.

James, R-Las Vegas and chairman of the Senate Judiciary Committee, said he was dropping out of the race so he could spend more time with his family.

"It's just a decision based on the need to spend more time with them," said James, 42, who is married with children aged 12 and 14. "They've basically spent their whole lives in politics because I've been there almost 10 years."

Almost immediately Senate Minority Leader Dina Titus, D-Las Vegas, was looking for a candidate in a race she had once written off but now considers an opportunity for Democrats trying to overcome the Republicans' 12-9 majority.

"I say we absolutely go after it as an open seat," Titus said.

James began his Senate career in 1993 and during five sessions has marked himself as one of the most moderate Republicans.

Some suspected James' announcement was linked to Saturday's decision by Clark County GOP convention delegates not to endorse him for the Senate District 8 seat.

But James said neither the endorsement decision, the haphazard ending to the last legislative session nor his sometimes rocky relationship with Senate Majority Leader Bill Raggio were factors.

"Anything that happens in the Legislature I recognize as part of that process," James said. "I love that process and those things wouldn't drive me out.

"Sen. Raggio and I have our differences. But I love him and respect him."

Raggio, R-Reno, said he regretted James' decision and is asking him to reconsider.

"He is too important to the process," Raggio said.

James butted heads several times with Raggio during the 2001 session -- most notably with his surprising call for a moratorium on Nevada's death penalty pending an in depth study of alleged biases and other problems.

Several incumbent Republicans bristled at reports after the session that James might seek to take over the Majority Leader position to shift power to Southern Nevada.

Other Republicans criticize James for his moderate stances on social issues. It was James' work to repeal Nevada's sodomy law that delegates cited as reason not to endorse him. Tom Christensen, who is much more conservative, received more votes when the endorsement went to the executive committee even though ultimately neither man was endorsed.

"I've never paid a lot of attention to the convention process," said James, who did not attend this weekend's event. "It didn't have any relevance to my decision.

"Certainly those endorsements don't have a lot of broad-based support. This is the convention that endorsed Aaron Russo over Kenny Guinn and who endorsed Pat Robertson for president."

State Sen. Ann O'Connell, R-Las Vegas and vice chairwoman of the Clark County GOP, said she was "flabbergasted" by James' decision.

"Politicians do have a real life," O'Connell said. "And most people put their families ahead."

Barely minutes had passed after James issued a press release announcing his decision that speculation began mounting about the District 8 race.

James said he had not really analyzed what could happen, but hinted that two "able sitting assemblywomen" may choose to run. Assemblywoman Barbara Cegavske, R-Las Vegas, had considered running for the Senate in another district before deciding instead to seek re-election.

James did not mention Christensen, and Titus said she thought Christensen was too conservative to win.

"That district is not very conservative and they're not going to vote for him," Titus said. "They're used to voting for Mark James."

James is best known for creating or bettering important legislation in his Judiciary Committee. He authored Nevada's truth in sentencing law, which overhauled criminal sentences and toughened penalties for repeat offenders.

In 2001 his committee shepherded both the Internet gaming and salon gaming bills. James also led the push to increase Secretary of State's office fees to pay for teacher raises.

James also isn't ruling out future office -- although he said he will not seek any office in this election cycle. He had raised $63,250 for his re-election, as of the last reporting period, which he said he would either refund or give to charities or other candidates.

Raggio said Tuesday that James is one of the "outstanding legislators and one of the best spokesmen."

It's unclear who will take James' place as chairman of the Judiciary Committee. If Democrats take control of the Senate, Titus suggested attorney and state Sen. Terry Care -- who is also chairman of the state Democratic Party -- would likely become Judiciary chairman.

O'Connell, confident that Republicans will hold their majority, said she thinks attorney and state Sen. Mark Amodei, R-Carson City, will chair the Judiciary panel. Christensen, she noted, is also an attorney -- although if he wins he will not have seniority, which is typically factored into committee chairs.