Tearful O’Connell files to defend Senate seat

Thursday, May 13, 2004 | 11:13 a.m.

People who filed for office in Clark County on Wednesday. Incumbents are marked with an asterisk. Filing runs through May 14:

Thomas L. Hurst (L)

1st District: Lewis A. Byer (R)

District 4: Cedric Crear (D)

District 5 (Seat A): Ann O'Connell (R)*

District 7 (Seat A): Paul Fairfield (R)

District 18: Drew I. Spangler (R)

District 21: Jesse Dominic Harris (IA)

District B: Grant W. Claycomb (R)

District D: Jesus Carlos Moreno (D)

District F: David Goldwater (D)

Seat E: Lori Lipman Brown

District 6: Douglas R. Seastrand

Moapa: Gary Watkins

Las Vegas Department 7: Karen Bennett

O'Connell had always been accompanied by her husband, Robert O'Connell, in the 30 years she has held the post. This time, the prominent Republican came alone to the County Government Center because Robert O'Connell, a man known for his quiet support of his wife's political work, died in April.

She was one of 16 people who filed for the election Wednesday in Clark County.

Some observers had speculated that O'Connell might not run after her husband died, but she said that was not an option. So far no competitors have filed.

"Bob and I talked about it," O'Connell said as she dabbed at her tears. "He felt strongly that I should run again."

Assemblyman David Goldwater on Wednesday filed for Clark County Commission, taking on the new incumbent, Lynette Boggs McDonald.

Goldwater, a Democrat, told a crowd of supporters at the County Government Center that the election in the fall would be "seminal" because he is one of the first political leaders to call for a slowdown of the rapid pace of growth. He cited water availability, air quality and traffic problems as factors that growth, averaging around 75,000 new residents a year, has affected.

"The traffic is horrible in this town and getting worse," Goldwater said. "The battleground for growth is going to be right here at the County Commission." He said the County Commission has a reputation for saying "yes" to every development proposal. Goldwater said he would stick to the county's master land-use plan and reject zoning requests that "don't make sense."

Meanwhile, in Carson City John O'Connor, a heating and air conditioning mechanic at the Naval Air Station in Fallon, filed a challenge against state Sen. Mike McGinness in the Central Nevada District.

"I don't feel the older generation is listening to the younger generation," said O'Connor, 35.

McGinness, 57, has served in the Senate since 1993 in the district that now includes Churchill, Esmeralda, Mineral and parts of Nye, Douglas, Lyon and Clark counties.

Robert Brown, who moved to Nevada this month, filed Wednesday for the Republican nomination for the U.S. Senate seat held by Democrat Harry Reid. Brown, 49, said he has 160 acres just outside Reno and formerly lived in Georgia and Florida.