Heated battle expected in sheriff’s race

Keith Paul

Friday, Sept. 6, 2002 | 10:47 a.m.

With two Metro Police veterans competing in the Clark County sheriff's race in the general election, the most important issues facing them could be money and the political clout of Sheriff Jerry Keller.

The candidates are expected to vigorously look for more money to help get their messages out during the next two months until Election Day. A dispute over the department's current administration also promises to be heated.

Capt. Randy Oaks said placing second in Tuesday's primary with 30.9 percent of the vote while spending less than $70,000 should lead to some well-to-do locals and businesses pumping money into his general election run.

"Everyone likes to be a friend of the winning candidate and we showed viability (in the primary)," Oaks said. "Those who spent all that money on (Deputy Chief) Bill Young can't be that confident."

Young did win the primary election with 41.3 percent of the vote. However, he spent nearly $640,000 of the nearly $800,000 he raised.

Young rejected the idea that people will be ready to give to Oaks' campaign. He said he expects to raise more money and said he has two TV ads that were not used during the primary that will air soon.

"(Oaks) raised about $40,000. I think that speaks for itself how much the businesses and community valued his candidacy," Young said.

Oaks said he has been approached by a couple of possible contributors, but did not want to name them.

At least one of Young's $10,000 contributors -- Harrah's -- has no intention of hedging its bets by given money to the other side.

"They are both credible candidates, but we supported Bill Young because he is extremely qualified and came highly recommended," said George Togliatti, Harrah's corporate director of government and community relations. "We're not ready to support any other candidate."

Besides money, the other large difference between the two candidates is their view of, and support from, Keller.

Oaks said that the current command staff -- Keller and his appointed undersheriff and deputy chiefs -- have lost touch with their employees and the community.

Oaks promises changes at the top including eliminating the four commander positions -- a rank brought back by Keller in the past few years -- and the civilian chief position currently occupied by former U.S. Attorney for Nevada Kathryn Landreth.

"I don't single out Jerry Keller; he and his command staff have made these decisions collectively," Oaks said. "This isn't about Jerry Keller. It's about Bill Young and Randy Oaks."

Oaks said he would not dismiss the entire command staff, but would talk with them and see "who is part of the problem and who is going to be part of the solution."

Keller has already cast his shadow over this race. He has endorsed Young and appeared in a commercial for Young.

When Keller made his surprise announcement last October that he would not seek a third term, he said he would not be making any endorsements.

"I came out (with the endorsement) because I wanted to make sure I didn't leave this department with a less than qualified leader," Keller said. "I know all the candidates and Chief Bill Young is head and shoulders above."

Young said Oaks may be the one who is out of touch.

"If I was so out of touch then I wouldn't have gotten the support of so many people," Young said.

Oaks said the rank-and-file officers' efficiency is related to how they feel they are being treated -- and now they feel they're not being treated fairly.

"What seems like a small change -- changing some of the command staff -- can have a huge impact (on) the work the officers and employees are doing," Oaks said.

Young said Oaks was a captain under two sheriffs -- Keller and former Sheriff John Moran -- and both decided against appointing Oaks deputy chief.

Oaks admitted that Keller was very popular when he was re-elected in 1998, but he said that popularity has waned. However, Oaks said if Keller had decided to run for a third term, he would not have challenged him.

"It was one of those things that he was the incumbent, had the money and the support, not that I was pleased with the job he was doing," Oaks said.

Oaks said Keller was politically powerful, but then added, "Bill Young is no Jerry Keller."