Kenny, Hunt square off in first debate

Erin Neff

Tuesday, Sept. 10, 2002 | 11:13 a.m.

Clark County Commissioner Erin Kenny attacked the status quo in her first joint appearance with Lt. Gov. Lorraine Hunt, saying the state is in crisis and needs a change of administration.

"The lieutenant governor's role can no longer be one of ribbon cutting," Kenny said during the first campaign debate between the two women Monday night at Congregation Ner Tamid. "The lieutenant governor's role can no longer be one of ceremony."

But Hunt, the Republican incumbent, defended her job, saying she has worked to boost tourism after Sept. 11, been a part of Gov. Kenny Guinn's cabinet and launched a technology partnership between the university system and the state meant at bolstering economic development efforts.

The Jewish Federation of Las Vegas sponsored a candidate night featuring a debate between the lieutenant governor candidates, Congressional District 3 hopefuls Jon Porter and Dario Herrera, and attorney general candidates John Hunt and Brian Sandoval.

Congressional District 1 challenger Lynette Boggs McDonald also attended. Rep. Shelley Berkley, the Democratic incumbent, was in Washington, D.C., and could not attend.

Kenny, a Democrat, said as lieutenant governor she would not just discuss public policy, "but lead the debate." She said her first initiative would be creating renewable energy incentives to capitalize on Nevada's solar and wind resources and stabilize power rates.

Later, in response to a question about public power, Hunt said she had been a leader in the pursuit of geothermal, solar and wind power.

"We can be the Saudi Arabia of renewable and alternative energy," she said.

The lieutenant governor fills in when the governor is unable to meet his duties, serves as president of the state Senate and serves on both state tourism and economic development commissions.

Both women said they would wait until the Nevada Task Force on Tax Policy makes its recommendations before deciding which taxes should be raised.

But Kenny said she wanted the tax package to be comprehensive and able to raise enough revenue to fund education programs and teacher salaries.

Hunt said the tourism industry is "paying for education" in sales taxes. She said that should be a "reality check" in any discussions of new taxes.

In the attorney general's debate -- the second joint appearance for the men in a week -- both candidates defended their level of experience, but for different reasons.

Sandoval, the Reno Republican and former chairman of the Nevada Gaming Commission, said he did not lack private practice experience simply because he has been in politics for 10 years, including serving in the state Assembly.

"I've also been fortunate to have a public service career," Sandoval said.

Hunt, the Democrat who practices in Las Vegas, said he is not a "rookie" because he is a "seasoned attorney" who has handled big cases including Wayne Newton's libel suit against NBC and, while working for the Gaming Control Board, the skim case at the Stardust.

Dr. Larry Lerner, Berkley's husband, stood in for his wife for opening statements with Boggs McDonald. It was the only debate of the evening that did not include questions.