Election 2002: 3rd Congressional District

Thursday, Oct. 17, 2002 | 10:43 a.m.

Democrat Dario Herrera and Republican Jon Porter have been campaigning for the new seat for more than a year, and as Nov. 5 draws closer the race becomes more bitter.

The candidates have run commercials and sent out mailers that attack each other on issues from ethics to Social Security.

The battle for the seat also includes independent Pete O'Neil, Independent American Richard Wayne O'Dell and Libertarian Neil Scott.

Despite the negative messages, the candidates have talked some about issues.

Herrera, 29, Clark County Commission chairman and a former assemblyman, says he wants to improve access to affordable health care and defend Social Security and Medicare.

Herrera also says he has fought against Yucca Mountain and faults Porter for taking money from Republicans who supported a nuclear dump in Nevada.

Porter, 47, a district manager for Farmers Insurance, is a former state senator, and former Boulder City mayor and councilman.

He said education is a top priority, and he would work to increase federal funding for education in Nevada.

He also said he opposes the privatization of Social Security.

O'Neil, 39, a bicycle league commissioner, said although he opposes Yucca Mountain becoming a nuclear waste dump, he thinks it's unavoidable and Nevada politicians should focus on ensuring tough safety measures for the project.

Scott, 35, is an accountant. He supports amending the U.S. Constitution to prohibit taxes on labor and business income, establishing a national bank, and taxing religion and imports from nondemocratic countries.

O'Dell, 52, is a general superintendent in the underground division of Martin Harris Construction. He said elected officials have done a lot to erase the Constitution.