Kaplan to run against Weber

Wednesday, April 14, 2004 | 9:20 a.m.

CARSON CITY -- Kirk Kaplan, an attorney and certified public accountant, says he will run for the Democratic nomination for Assembly District 5 in Las Vegas, a seat now held by Republican Valerie Weber, who is completing her first term.

Kaplan, 40, said Tuesday he wants to make sure taxpayer dollars are spent on classroom instruction and programs that enhance student progress.

"I find it totally inexcusable that in the most recent national comparisons, our state ranks so low in graduation rates from high school and in the number of students who go to college," Kaplan said.

Weber said she will run for re-election and will file May 3, the first day filing is open. She said she too wants to get "more money into the classroom."

The National Center for Public Policy and Higher Education has said Nevada ranks 39th in the nation for high school graduation rates and 50th among the states in students going on to college.

Kaplan is a graduate of Valley High School, gained degrees in accounting and business administration from Regis University in Denver, Colo., and his law degree from the Thomas Cooley Law School in Lansing, Mich.

Education won't be the only campaign platform plank for Kaplan, however. As sole owner of a law firm and part owner of a certified public accounting firm, he said he is "a strong advocate for enhanced efforts to help Nevada's small businesses succeed.

"We too often forget how many people in our state are employed by small businesses and how difficult it is for small business owners to provide benefits, particularly health care coverage for their employees," Kaplan said.

Weber said she wants to "protect our low tax environment" and to look for ways to stop spiraling health care costs.

The Clark County Election Department records indicate there are 8,347 Republicans and 8,164 Democrats in the district.