Former gaming exec might challenge Porter

Kirsten Searer

Monday, Feb. 23, 2004 | 11:17 a.m.

Rep. Jon Porter may face a challenger after all -- from the former chief executive of Park Place Entertainment.

Democrat Tom Gallagher, 59, said he decided last week he will explore running against Porter, R-Nev., a freshman congressman who, until now, was facing no credible challenger for Nevada's 3rd Congressional District.

"This is still at the exploratory level at this point," Gallagher said this morning. "I want to make sure there is sufficient interest in my doing this and support for doing this."

A campaign wouldn't be cheap, Gallagher said. Porter already has raised about $1 million for his re-election bid.

"The minute you turn what looked like an uncontested seat into one that will be highly contested, that means the cost goes up," Gallagher said.

While Gallagher said he's willing to put some of his own money into the race, he said he won't try to buy the office.

"If I can't gather the support of a whole lot of people who think this is a good idea and are willing to help out, then I shouldn't do it," he said.

Gallagher's entrance into the race would make it one of the most high-profile congressional races in the nation, said state Democratic spokesman Jon Summers.

Democrats had approached several strong candidates to challenge Porter, but had no takers, partly because it's a major commitment to run for Congress, Summers said.

"Jon Porter's seat is definitely a national target," Summers said. "Honestly, if Gallagher decides he is definitely going to take on this race, I think Jon Porter's days in the seat are numbered."

The district has a slight Republican voter registration advantage, with 137,965 registered Republicans and 136,115 registered Democrats. It also has 53,060 registered non-partisan voters.

Porter's campaign manager, Mike Slanker, did not return calls for comment this morning.

Gallagher moved to Las Vegas in 2000, soon after he took over the helm of Park Place Entertainment, now Caesars Entertainment. He and his wife, Mary, have had a home in Nevada since 1997.

After he left Park Place in 2002, Gallagher said he took some much-needed time off, with an idea to form a public policy institute in Las Vegas.

But while he worked to organize an institute, he said, many people asked why he didn't run for office.

"Frankly, I'm in a position where I can spend the time and have the energy to do it," he said.

Gallagher has some experience on Capitol Hill -- soon after he graduated from Harvard Law School in the 1970s he worked for U.S. Sen. John Tunney of California.

He said he is qualified for the seat because he is willing to take on issues in Washington, even if he disagrees with the President -- whether George Bush is reelected or a Democrat takes the office.

"There's a need for people who are unafraid to step up and say, 'Listen, this isn't about politics. This is about how do we do the right thing for people in Nevada,' " Gallagher said.