Few races will draw much attention

Erin Neff

Tuesday, May 21, 2002 | 9:51 a.m.

The year 2002 was supposed to be a major election cycle, with all three congressional seats, the state's six constitutional offices, judicial benches and legislative districts on the ballot.

But when it comes right down to it, only a few races are going to be the focus of any widespread attention this year, because of a dearth of competition.

Here are a few worth watching:

3rd Congressional District

The state's new House seat will be the marquee race both in Nevada and nationwide.

Democrat Dario Herrera, chairman of the Clark County Commission, and Republican state Sen. Jon Porter are the two main candidates vying for the seat. Nationally both the Republican and Democratic parties hope to win the seat, which is critical due to the narrow GOP edge in the House.

Independent candidate Pete O'Neil is also running. Herrera faces two Democratic primary opponents in Mark J. Budetich Jr. and attorney David Kahn. Porter faces a primary challenge from Republican Susan Kiger. Libertarian and Independent American candidates are also in the race.

Lieutenant governor

The last-minute entry by Clark County Commissioner Erin Kenny makes this one of the more interesting races of the season. Kenny, a Democrat with strong labor support and a commission race war chest well over $700,000, is going up against incumbent Republican Lorraine Hunt.

Hunt, a former Clark County commissioner, already has statewide name recognition and is well-regarded for her efforts to boost tourism and reach out to businesses in an attempt to diversify the state's economy.

Attorney general

Former Nevada Gaming Commission Chairman Brian Sandoval, a Republican, is running against Las Vegas attorney John Hunt.

Sandoval, now a Reno attorney, is viewed as a rising Republican Party star with a potential future bid for governor. Hunt is seen as his party's best chance to win one of the six constitutional offices.

The attorney general's office has been held for 12 years by Democrat Frankie Sue Del Papa, currently the only Democrat in any of the state's six constitutional offices.

State Senate

The two key seats to watch are District 9 in Clark County and District 2 in Washoe County.

Incumbent Bill O'Donnell's decision not to seek re-election drew several Republicans into the District 9 race. The Republican Senate Leadership Caucus has endorsed businessman Brian Scroggins against Assemblyman Dennis Nolan, R-Las Vegas. Scroggins came into the race after fellow Republican and business owner Bill Brady dropped out.

Terry Lamuraglia, a former firefighter and former Clark County lobbyist, is hoping to pick the seat up for the Democrats after a testy primary.

Sen. Maurice Washington, R-Sparks, faces a challenge from Democrat Joe Carter, a railroad man Democrats think can take out the conservative incumbent.

Republicans hold a 12-9 seat majority in the Senate.

Assembly

Open seats in Clark County are drawing the most interest, with District 37 offering voters six candidates.

Spirited primaries are expected in District 5 between Republicans Jim Blockey, David Griego, Charley R. Johnson and Valerie Weber, and in District 17 between incumbent Democrat Bob Price and Kelvin Atkinson.

Democrats currently have a 27-15 edge in the Assembly, but are losing incumbents Joe Dini, Roy Neighbors and Bonnie Parnell to retirement and John Lee to his bid for controller.

County Commission

District E incumbent Myrna Williams faces a proven vote-getter in the Democratic primary in Nevada Stupak. Stupak, the son of gaming entrepreneur Bob Stupak, scared Las Vegas Councilman Gary Reese in 1999 before coming up 139 votes short of beating the incumbent.

With Erin Kenny vacating her District F seat, the position opens a field to four Republicans led by moderate former state Sen. Mark James. Esther Quisenberry, Tim Cory and Devin Smith round out the Republican field.