Schaefer plans run against Shaffer

Thursday, March 11, 2004 | 9:48 a.m.

SUN CAPITAL BUREAU

CARSON CITY -- Mike Schaefer, a disbarred Nevada attorney and perennial political candidate, will run for the Democratic nomination in an attempt to replace Republican state Sen. Ray Shaffer in North Las Vegas.

In attempts for justice of the peace in 1998 and 2000, Schaefer posted campaign signs similar to candidates in different races who had similarly spelled last names. He says this time he will use signs that do not take advantage of such name recognition.

In 1998, Schaefer's brown and orange signs were almost identical to Public Administrator Jared Shafer's brown and orange signs. In 2000, Schaefer's red, white and blue signs practically mirrored those of Shaffer.

"I thought imitation was the sincerest form of flattery, but they didn't think so," Schaefer said. "Frankly, I thought it helped them as much or more than it helped me because I generally do a lot of signing."

This time around Schaefer is putting up orange and blue signs similar to those he used in California last year as chairman of Democrats for Schwarzenegger, supporting actor Arnold Schwarzenegger in the recall election he won.

Schaefer, 65, ran for both Clark County public administrator and for Congress in Arizona in the 2002 election. He was a Republican at the time.

Former Democratic Assemblyman John Lee has already announced he would challenge Shaffer.

Schaefer served two terms as a city councilman in San Diego before moving to Nevada. He has tried for political office numerous times in Nevada but has been unsuccessful. In 1974, he ran for secretary of state and he also made a bid for the Las Vegas City Council.