Regent plans to run for Neal’s Senate seat

Kirsten Searer

Wednesday, March 24, 2004 | 9 a.m.

University Regent Linda Howard announced Tuesday she will run for the state Senate seat that has been held by Sen. Joe Neal for 32 years.

Howard, a Democrat who has been a regent since 2001, said she wants to run because people in the North Las Vegas district -- District 4 -- have asked her for help on issues ranging from health care costs to utility bills.

As a regent, she can help only on matters relating to education, she said.

"I explain to them that I'm a regent and there's not a whole lot more that I can do than refer them to other elected representatives," she said. "There's been a high demand by people for services."

The 48-year-old Howard, who is a part-time consultant, said Neal has been a political mentor to her, and that she expects he will announce soon that he won't run again for the office.

"I asked him if he decides not to run if he would support me, and he said pretty much that he will get back to me," she said.

Neal, 68, told the Sun on Tuesday that he will make a statement later this month on whether he will seek another term in the senate.

"We've worked together over the years," Howard said. "I have a tremendous amount of respect for him. He's one of the people I've relied on for political advice."

Howard said she has received a positive response when floating her name for the senate seat.

"I have been promised some money for whatever I run for," she said.