County Commission District B

Wednesday, Aug. 18, 2004 | 4:19 a.m.

The race for Clark County Commission District B resembles a free-for-all.

The eight candidates -- five Democrats and three Republicans -- include an indicted incumbent, making this race one of the most interesting primary contests, political observers agree.

The reason for the intense competition is that incumbent Democrat Mary Kincaid-Chauncey was indicted last year on political corruption charges. The charges stem from a long federal investigation into allegations that favors were granted by county commissioners for cash from a multistate strip-club operation. Three former commissioners were also indicted, but Kincaid-Chauncey is the only sitting commissioner named. A March 8 trial date will likely be postponed.

Avowing innocence and rejecting some calls for her to step aside, Kincaid-Chauncey faces former Assemblyman John Bonaventura, Assemblywoman Vonne Chowning, Assemblyman Tom Collins and John Stephens, a Las Vegas-Clark County Library District reference assistant, in the Democratic primary. Kincaid-Chauncey's toughest primary threats are expected to come from Collins and Chowning.

The winner of that race will face the winner of the Republican primary, which includes North Las Vegas Councilwoman Shari Buck; Grant Claycomb, a Clark County construction inspector; and Glen Easter, a veteran of the 2000 campaign.

Democrats outnumber Republicans 35,454 to 26,606, with 11,846 nonpartisan registered voters.

Some analysts say that Kincaid-Chauncey could win the primary because her Democratic Party challengers may split the opposition vote. If she does, backlash against her could benefit the GOP primary winner in the general election, they said.

Most of the Democratic candidates have said they will not directly attack Kincaid-Chauncey over her indictment, but three of her four opponents cited ethics, trust and accountability as campaign issues. One of the three Republicans, Claycomb, mentions integrity in his campaign platform.

Kincaid-Chauncey, 65, has made her work during two terms the centerpiece of her re-election effort, although her commercials also cite her integrity. She noted that two senior centers and a park have been built in the district. She also touted work to build the Las Vegas Beltway and improvements to roads and parks.

Her opponents also cite growth and land use, among other issues.

"The most pressing issue in my district is growth," Stephens, 38, said. A librarian and part-time writer, he added, "I am a candidate for what I like to call 'Smart Growth,' growth that is needed and welcomed by the community it impacts."

Buck, 43, said, "Growth and how you manage it is a concern. In the rural areas, the citizens should have a say in how their community grows -- or doesn't grow. Rural guidelines should be in place to protect the unique community in which they live."

Collins, 54, and Chowning, 61, say they will focus on bringing more police and parks to the district.

"I support a plan to put more cops on the streets," said Collins, an electrical contractor. "And once we get those cops, we need to make sure they're in our neighborhoods."

Chowning, co-owner of a real-estate company, said her goal is to make Clark County the safest large county in the United States and wanted county support for more recreational activities.

Bonaventura, 42, chief executive of Energy Ventures Organization Inc., says he will eliminate violence in the schools, lower gas prices and clean up air pollution, among other efforts.

He added that as of July, he was in negotiations with a large water rights owner in Northern Nevada to bring 7,700 acre-feet of water per year to Clark County.

Claycomb, 39, a Clark County public works construction inspector, said he wants the northern district to get as much attention and resources as Summerlin and Green Valley.

"I feel it is District B's turn to get better roads, better parks, etc.," he said.

GOP candidate Easter didn't return the Sun's questionnaire.