Election 2002: Attorney General

Thursday, Oct. 17, 2002 | 10:41 a.m.

The race to succeed Attorney General Frankie Sue Del Papa has sparked the most fire and rancor. Republican Brian Sandoval, an attorney from Reno, is running against Democrat John Hunt, a Las Vegas lawyer.

Sandoval has filed a complaint with the Secretary of State's office that Hunt has accepted improper campaign funds funneled through several people to disguise the real donor, Vestin Mortgage. And he has criticized Hunt for representing individuals convicted in fraud cases.

Hunt has questioned Sandoval's acceptance of money from Nevada utilities and from an advocate of a Yucca Mountain nuclear waste repository. Sandoval was formerly the attorney for the shareholders of Sierra Pacific Resources, the company that owns Nevada Power Co.

Hunt said he favors the public buyout of Nevada Power Co. Sandoval says he has concerns about the potential sale.

Both favor continuing Nevada's battle against Yucca Mountain; both oppose Question 9 to allow legal possession of up to 3 ounces of marijuana; and both favor Question 2 to ban gay marriages in Nevada.

Independent American candidate Jonathan Hansen, who turns 31 next week, is an attorney who says his major issue is Yucca Mountain. He claims the federal government breached the division of powers between state and federal governments in its decision to put a nuclear waste dump in Nevada.