Electrical contractor eyes seat being vacated by Mack

Dan Kulin

Thursday, Dec. 2, 2004 | 8:58 a.m.

As Las Vegas Councilman Michael Mack publicly announced Wednesday he will not run for re-election in the spring, a potential candidate to replace Mack announced his intentions to run.

Steve Ross, 42, is general manager of Keleeco Electric, a commercial electrical contracting company, and former officer with the Clark County Democratic Party.

"I want to protect the standard of living in Ward 6," Ross said. "I want to protect Ward 6 from unwanted growth, adult businesses, and flooding is a huge issue.

"I'm not saying no growth, I'm saying unwanted growth, like adult businesses or a casino in someone's backyard."

Ross said he expected to run against Mack until Tuesday, when news outlets began reporting Mack would not run again. Ross said he planned to announce his intentions to seek the Ward 6 council seat within the next few days, and added his campaign advisers probably pushed to announce his potential candidacy Wednesday because of Mack's announcement.

Mack, appointed to the council in late 1999 and then elected in 2001, said he will not seek re-election because he wants to spend more time with his family, especially his sons who are 6 and 8.

Mack also said Ross was a "qualified candidate" who could be a good councilman, but added he's not endorsing any potential candidates at this time. Mack did not rule out backing a candidate in the future.

Mack said his past problems with ethical and legal charges were not a factor in his decision to not run for re-election. Political observers have said if Mack did run for re-election he would be in for a vicious negative campaign.

Mack said Wednesday he did not know if he would ever seek elected office again. The councilman said he made his announcement Wednesday to give other potential candidates, especially some who may have been reluctant to go up against an incumbent, more time to consider a run for the Ward 6 seat.

In addition to Mack's Ward 6 council seat, Wards 2 and 4, represented by Steve Wolfson and Larry Brown respectively, will be at stake in the coming city election.

The candidate filing period lasts from Jan. 25 to Feb. 4. The city primary election will be April 5, and the general election will be June 7.

Also, Ward 1 Councilwoman Janet Moncrief faces a possible recall election early next year. The date of that election would be set once a recall petition is verified to have enough signatures from Ward 1 registered voters to force a recall election.