Berkley holds off Boggs McDonald

Erin Neff

Wednesday, Nov. 6, 2002 | 8:31 a.m.

Despite falling short in her bid for Congress, Las Vegas Councilwoman Lynette Boggs McDonald impressed political observers Tuesday by coming within 11 percent of Democratic Rep. Shelley Berkley despite a huge voter registration and fund-raising disadvantage.

Berkley withstood what was otherwise a GOP sweep on Tuesday, winning 54 percent to 43 percent for election to her third term in Congressional District 1.

"I had an incredible campaign staff and they worked very hard to turn out the vote," an elated Berkley said from state Democratic Party headquarters at the Riviera. "I think this victory goes to show that the constituents in the 1st Congressional District believe they are being well served."

But Boggs McDonald, who had stood poised to become the first black Republican woman in the House of Representatives, remained proud of her effort.

"I think we surprised a whole lot of people in this race," Boggs McDonald said poolside at Caesars Palace with her husband, Steven, and son, Adam, at her side. "I stand here tonight as a victor."

Independent American Party candidate Steven "Capt. Truth" Dempsey received 2 percent and Green Party candidate W. Lane Startin collected 1 percent of the vote.

Berkley vowed to continue Nevada's efforts to block Yucca Mountain and said that while Democrats came up short in their bid to retake the U.S. House of Representatives, she will continue to work within her caucus to build support to block what she expects will be Republican efforts to fast-track completion of the nuclear repository 90 miles northwest of Las Vegas.

"I will continue to work as hard as I can for the residents of this district and of this state," Berkley said.

Boggs McDonald, 39, entered the race facing a huge voter registration difference which stood at 30,000 more Democrats than Republicans on Election Day. She also faced a formidable fund-raiser in Berkley, who accumulated more than $1.5 million for the race.

Berkley, 51, serves on the Veterans Affairs and International Relations committees and is making a push for a spot on the powerful Ways and Means Committee.

She attributed her victory to her stance on Yucca Mountain and her efforts to support the 16,000 workers laid off in Clark County after Sept. 11, 2001.

Boggs McDonald had tried to attack Berkley on small business issues, criticizing the opponent for leaving the Small Business Committee. She also tried to persuade black Democrats in the district to vote for her.

But Berkley, a social liberal, routinely said the Democratic Party better represents blacks, and she hammered Boggs McDonald for her proposal to allow people the option of investing their Social Security taxes in the market.

"That proposal just didn't sit well with the voters," Berkley said. "We were just right on the issues."