Election 2002: Lieutenant Governor

Thursday, Oct. 17, 2002 | 11:52 a.m.

Lt. Gov. Lorraine Hunt is fighting a stiff challenge from Clark County Commissioner Erin Kenny.

Hunt, the Republican incumbent, says she has worked hard to foster the economic development and tourism in the state.

The lieutenant governor serves as chairperson of the state Commission on Economic Development and the Commission on Tourism. She presides over the Senate during the Legislature, a largely ceremonial post.

Hunt, 63, owns a restaurant in Las Vegas. She notes that she coaxed Singapore Airlines to start direct flights to Las Vegas.

Kenny, a Democrat, is completing her second term as Clark County commissioner and served one term in the Assembly.

She said she supports a public takeover of Nevada Power, has worked on the Amber Alert plan to locate missing children and will work to see that a University of Nevada, Las Vegas science and engineering building is constructed.

Kenny, 41, points to her work as a county commissioner, emphasizing senior citizens and recreation issues.

To attract new business, she says the public school and university system must be improved.

Libertarian candidate William "Billy" Oswald of Winnemucca is semi-retired. Oswald, 57, says he wants to get 1 percent of the vote so the Libertarian Party will remain on the election ballot without having to gather signatures to qualify again.

Oswald said he intends to hand out 6,800 pieces of campaign literature, but doesn't intend to visit Las Vegas.

Merritt "Ike" Yochum, a retired electrical contractor from Carson City is the Independent American candidate. He's against any new taxes and wants the school system privatized.