Gallagher makes campaign official for Porter’s job

Kirsten Searer

Wednesday, May 12, 2004 | 9:22 a.m.

Gary Marinch (Natural Law)

3rd District: Tom Gallagher (D)

District 9: Chris Giunchigliani (D)*

District 10: Glenn Brown (IA)

District 15: Bob Anderson (R)

District 29: Mohammed A. High (D)

District 41: David Parks (D)*

District C: Chip Maxfield (R)*

Department 11: Robert Kurth

Logandale, Seat A: R. Guy Doty

Overton, Seat B: Ivan Cooper

He opened a campaign office, got a more conservative haircut, met with top leaders in Washington and started planting his simplistic political signs around town.

And on Tuesday, former gaming executive Tom Gallagher sealed the deal, filing to challenge Rep. Jon Porter, R-Nev., in the 3rd Congressional District.

Gallagher, a Democrat making his first run for office, said Tuesday he is encouraged by what he has heard from constituents as he has walked door to door and visited with community groups.

"Most people don't know who their congressman is," said Gallagher, pointing out that there are many new residents in the district, which Porter has represented for one term.

And after a visit a few weeks ago with Democratic leadership in Washington, Gallagher said he thinks the party will focus Nevada's 3rd District as one of the most important House races in the country.

He promised Tuesday to start sending out position papers outlining his platform, once again reiterating criticism that Porter typically votes along with Republican party leadership.

"There's a stark difference between Porter and myself," he said. "Jon, everybody talks about how he's a decent guy, and that's right. But he's not a fighter. He's a go-along, get-along guy."

Last week during a morning meeting with seniors, Gallagher called for two provisions of the Medicare law to be repealed, calling the new Medicare prescription discount cards confusing and costly.

He argued that the government should buy drugs at bulk prices and allow seniors to buy cheaper drugs from Canada.

And in late April, he called on Porter to challenge the Republican leadership that was holding up a vote on the Military Survivor Benefits Improvement Act, which would have increased retirement benefits to military widows.

Porter consultant Mike Slanker was not immediately available for comment on Gallagher's filing.

Attorney Ron von Felden, a Democrat, also is running for the office and will face Gallagher in a September primary.

Von Felden said he is a "practical progressive" who believes in smaller government but thinks the country gives too many tax credits to some businesses and farms. He also said he would eventually like to see a universal health system.

As a Vietnam veteran, he said he understands the conditions and needs of working people.

"I've cleaned thousands of toilets. I've made galvanized garbage cans gleam like they were chrome," von Felden said.

Merchant Marine Mark Budetich, 42, also filed to run a second time in the Democratic primary for the 3rd District seat. He said he would focus on ensuring the American ports are safe and ensuring that Social Security is preserved.

At the end of March, voter registration in the southern Clark County district that includes Boulder City and much of Henderson was almost evenly split by the two major parties, with 127,520 Republicans and 126,675 registered Democrats, according to the Nevada secretary of state's office.