Political notebook: Lorraine forced to hunt more loot

Erin Neff

Friday, May 24, 2002 | 9:32 a.m.

The race for lieutenant governor is on. Or rather, the race to move money around is in full swing.

Incumbent Republican Lt. Gov. Lorraine Hunt had been passively asking for cash before the end of filing, but had received more promises than paychecks because she had no viable opponent.

That changed when Democratic Clark County Commissioner Erin Kenny entered the race at 4:30 p.m., just beating Monday's filing deadline.

"Now I'm having to call in my commitments," Hunt said. "After Erin filed, people started calling me and said, 'Where should I send a check?' "

After Kenny filed, some of her donors also came calling -- but for the opposite reason. Harrah's, for example, has written to Kenny asking for the company's $10,000 donation back.

Kenny wrote to all of her donors -- per requirements of state law -- telling them she was not running for re-election to the County Commission, the post for which she had been raising money. And since she switched races, she was required to offer them their money back if they didn't like it.

"I had advised you that Harrah's had pledged its support to Lt. Gov. Lorraine Hunt in her re-election campaign and therefore would be unable to support any opponent," wrote George Togliatti, Harrah's corporate director of government and community relations.

Togliatti goes on to thank Kenny for her County Commission service, but reiterates the company remains "true to our commitments."

That's one sure-fire way for Hunt, who has about $100,000, to catch up to Kenny's reported $800,000.

Campaign bonus

Silly season is officially upon us, but it isn't just campaign signs and mailers telling folks about three Republicans up for re-election.

Official state of Nevada publications and the Silver State's website have been recently tapped for a little electioneering for Gov. Kenny Guinn, Lt. Gov. Lorraine Hunt and Treasurer Brian Krolicki.

A great campaign photo of Guinn filing for re-election -- first lady Dema at his side -- was front and center on the main page of the state's website from May 8 to 13, when it was bumped for a grip-and-grin at a Las Vegas road project.

You can still see the shot if you click on the slide show option. Thankfully, Nevada does not yet have online voter registration to provide a helpful link.

More campaign materials -- er, state publications -- were handed out to delegates at the Nevada State Republican Convention last weekend.

Hunt passed out copies of "The Nevada Report," a quarterly newsletter highlighting the lieutenant governor's activities. On the second page of the four-page magazine stock mailer is a photo gallery of Hunt with tourism industry leaders, reading to kids and posing with Good Old Party boy Bob Card, Energy Department under secretary.

Hunt said she copied thousands of the mailers at Kinko's for her own use, bringing some to campaign functions and taking some on her official business trips.

"The hardest thing is to communicate what we do," Hunt said of her office.

Krolicki's brochure is about the Nevada Prepaid Tuition plan -- the same thing he touted in a television ad that drew the ire of Democrats late last year. Krolicki said he needs to be associated with the program so that consumers know a public official is accountable for it.

"I carry those things in the car, and whenever I'm around a group of Nevadans I hand them out," Krolicki said. "It's part of my campaign to the extent that I think the program is one of the greatest accomplishments of this office."

Now if only someone would slap a Paid For By the Committee To Re-Elect on those for some extra accountability.

Moose on the loose

Assemblyman Morse Arberry Jr. likes to have things both ways. He likes being re-elected to serve District 7 -- an area encompassing parts of the minority-rich communities in West Las Vegas and North Las Vegas.

But he also likes the life in Canyon Gate Country Club -- miles away from the nearest border to his district.

So Arberry (nicknamed Moose) maintains his home on Virginia City Avenue in Bonanza Village even though he reportedly keeps more than a toothbrush at the South Fort Apache Road digs.

When he filed for re-election this year, Arberry listed the Canyon Gate address as the one the public could see. And, although that's where he gets his mail -- according to county elections officials -- he does list the home in his district as his residence.

Donate salary

State Senate candidate Edward Portello said he will donate his salary to the state's educational needs if he wins election.

Lawmakers make $6,800 for a 120-day session every other year. They also get an $85-a-day living expense and money for travel and postage, bringing most to about $20,000.

Portello, a Democrat running for Senate District 8, is a pool contractor who said he does not need the money and would rather donate it.

"I'm only for the issues," he said.

If 17 other Clark County legislative candidates would pledge the same thing, they could run as a bloc to bring back middle school sports -- a $350,000 expense cut from the budget last week.

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