Heavily backed Forbuss loses

Jennifer Knight

Wednesday, Nov. 6, 2002 | 9:53 a.m.

Despite having the endorsement of almost every major politician in the state, Robert Forbuss lost the Board of Regents' seat in District 2 Tuesday to newcomer Bret Whipple.

Whipple will take over the seat of the late Tom Wiesner in District 3. Whipple won with 55.1 percent of the vote to Forbuss' 44.8 percent.

"Bob Forbuss was endorsed by every mayor, every senator and (every) state politician," Whipple said. "It is a remarkable feat. I believe it shows that our political system is alive and well."

Whipple describes himself as a Republican who is neither conservative nor liberal. He signed a petition supporting the ban on gay marriages but says he is open to creating benefits for domestic partners within the university system -- an issue that could come before the board next year.

Incumbent Thalia Dondero held onto her District 3 seat with 56.5 percent of the vote. Her opponent Paul Aizley got 43.4 percent.

"I will attack the issues with as much vigor as ever," said Dondero, 81. "It's going to be a challenge to get what we need with the money we have."

Joining her on the board is World War II veteran Jack Lund Schofield from District 5. Schofield beat Latin Chamber of Commerce board member Aldo Aguirre, 57.5 to 42.4 percent in a district that is 25 percent Hispanic.

"I'm the type of person that is never going to retire," said Schofield, 79. "I'm going to die with my boots on. I want to keep contributing."

In District 12, Stavros Anthony, a police captain who moonlights as a professor, got 54.8 percent of the vote to defeat Jeff Knight, a businessman who received 45.1 percent.

Anthony said he will focus on learning about the University and Community College System of Nevada, and in January he'll try to help the board focus on issues rather than personality conflicts.

"When I get on the board my focus will be on higher education," Anthony said. "I hope to get away from insults and the lack of professionalism that is on the board. I figure if I can get a bunch of Greeks in my church to agree on something, regents shouldn't be a problem."

The new 13-member board is scheduled to be officially seated Jan. 30.