Hammargren wins in comeback race

Wednesday, Sept. 4, 2002 | 9:27 a.m.

CARSON CITY -- Former Lt. Gov. Lonnie Hammargren has won his first battle in his return to politics as a Republican candidate for the Assembly.

But voters turned thumbs down on Democratic Assembly candidate Mark Clarke, who boasted he was the first legislative candidate to endorse the initiative to make legal the possession of three ounces of marijuana.

And Teresa "Terrie" Price, the daughter of Assemblyman Bob Price, lost in the Democratic Primary election for District 37. Bob Price was beaten in District 17 in the Democratic primary election.

Two-term Assemblywoman Kathy McClain, D-Las Vegas, rolled to an easy victory with 85.2 percent of the vote over Ronald Tanner Jr. in District 15. She faces Hammargren, who served one term as lieutenant governor and lost when he ran for governor four years ago.

Hammargren defeated fellow Republican Lou Toomin, a former one-term assemblyman, who was formerly a Democrat. Hammargren pulled 68.4 percent of the vote to 31.6 percent for Toomin.

Four-term Democrat Tom Collins, D-North Las Vegas, whipped Brent Howard 79.1 to 20.9 percent in the primary election for Assembly District 1. Collins faces Republican Doug Opolka, who defeated Arvid Schnackenberg 53 percent to 46 percent. Peggy Williams, an Independent American, is the third candidate in the general election race.

Republican Valerie Weber, executive director of the Associated Builders and Contractors, garnered 65.8 percent of the vote to defeat David Griego in the GOP primary in Assembly District 5. She faces Democrat Dr. John Ellerton, an oncologist, who was unopposed in the primary election.

Assemblyman Morse Arberry, D-Las Vegas, who has served nine terms and is chairman of the powerful Assembly Ways and Means Committee, piled up 74.1 percent of the vote in District 7 to defeat Shawn Rutherford. He will face Republican Joanna Wesley, who gathered 57.7 percent to defeat Darryl Glover.

In District 10, four-term Assemblyman David Goldwater, D-Las Vegas is challenged by fellow Democrat Daniel Cook. Since there were no other candidates, the contest goes into the general election. In Assembly District 13, Democrat Mike Slater and Republican Chad Christensen won their respective primary elections and will meet in November. Slater polled 51.8 percent to 25.3 percent for Clarke, who advocated the legalization of small amounts of marijuana.

Christensen polled 57 percent to 34.7 percent for Mark Warden and 8.3 percent for Rudy Durso on the Republican side.

Democratic incumbent Ellen Koivisto, seeking a fourth term, gathered 60.2 percent of the vote in her victory over fellow Democrat James Buchanan in Assembly District 14. Koivisto, chairwoman of the Assembly Health and Human Services Committee, faces Republican Richard Gardner, a retired management consultant, who defeated Mark Trinko 72-28 percent. J. "Buffalo Jim" Barrier, an Independent American, is the third person in the general election.

Republican Ken Jarvis, a landscape contractor, beat Thomas Bobbett 64.1 percent to 35.9 percent in Assembly District 18. Jarvis now faces Democratic incumbent Mark Manendo, who is seeking a fifth term.

Democratic incumbent Jerry Claborn of Las Vegas fought off three Democratic challengers to capture his party nomination in District 19. Claborn received 46.1 percent of the vote to 25.2 percent for Chris Colasuono, 14.9 percent for Bradley Smith and 13.8 percent for Mike Hayes. Claborn, seeking a third term, goes into the general election against Republican Duane Threm and Independent American Warren Stephens.

Republican Walter Andonov, a financial advisor, will face Democrat Lisa Cano, a schoolteacher, in the general election for Assembly District 21. Andonov polled 79.3 percent to defeat fellow Republican Jess Foster. Cano got 72.4 percent to overwhelm Ian Harrison. Joshua Hansen is the Independent American candidate in the general election.

Republican incumbent David Brown, R-Henderson, gained an easy primary election win over Charles Carpenter with more than 75 percent of the vote in District 22. Brown, seeking a second term, goes against Democrat Caren Levenson and Independent American Jesse Harris.

Democrat Stan Dreyfuss polled 64.4 percent of the vote to defeat fellow Democrat Joseph Bifano in the primary election for District 29. Josh Griffin outdistanced Michael Smith 67.2 percent to 32.8 percent in the GOP primary. Justin Ramsaier is the Independent American candidate in the general election.

Marcus Conklin won the Democratic nomination in District 37 with 49.2 percent to 42.4 percent for Teresa Price and 8.4 percent for Lloyd Hargis. In a close GOP primary decided by nine votes, Francis Allen captured 33.7 percent of the vote to 33.3 percent for Earlene Forsythe, 29.6 percent for Gary Horrocks Sr. and Alan Lefebvre with 3.4 percent.

Phillip Dane, a senior citizens activist, polled 50.8 percent in the GOP primary to defeat Anders Sorensen by 17 votes in District 41. The winner faces three-term Democrat David Parks and Independent American Patricia Saye in the general election.

Incumbent Harry Mortenson, D-Las Vegas, easily captured his party's nomination, defeating Brad Chastain. Mortenson goes against George "Yiorgo" Aretos, a Republican.