It was a bizarre final day for filings

Kirsten Searer and Dan Kulin

Monday, May 17, 2004 | 9:35 a.m.

Chester Richardson, a Republican running for the County Commission, sent a supporter to file paperwork Friday so he could run for office.

He couldn't do it himself -- he was in jail.

The 45-year-old candidate and Equal Opportunity Board member spent three nights at the North Las Vegas Detention Center last week after skipping a court appearance on charges he drove without proof of insurance and with a revoked license.

"It was the ultimate stupidity here," Richardson said on Sunday, adding that he now has to pay a $1,000 fine.

His situation was just one of many that kept tongues wagging on Friday, the last day that candidates could file to run for office.

The primary will be held Sept. 7, with a general election on Nov. 2.

As usual, a small rush of candidates -- including Steven "Captain Truth" Dempsey, a candidate for Assembly District 14 -- appeared Friday afternoon at the Clark County Election Department to file or watch the rush.

Among the surprises:

They are joined in the race by Democrat Mike Schaefer, who also is running for the office. That sets up a Democratic primary of Shaffer vs. Schaefer.

Sharon Shaffer, who is well-known for cooking in the Senate kitchen in Carson City, said she has worked alongside her husband and knows the major issues and players.

Ray Shaffer was a Democrat until that last legislative session, when he switched parties so he could chair the Transportation Committee.

"I didn't switch parties," Sharon Shaffer said defiantly.

Also in the race is Democrat John Lee, a former assemblyman supported by Senate Minority Leader Dina Titus, who hopes Lee can retake the seat for her party.

Neal, who wore a grin and large dark sunglasses while he filed for office, passed out a press release calling for a "moratorium on building new hotel casinos."

Instead, Neal argued, the city should focus on creating jobs that "absorb the education output of students from our universities and community college."

When a photographer asked Neal on Friday what title he should use to address him, Neal responded: "You can call me senator -- until November."

Neal will face Atkinson Gates and Jesus Carlos Moreno in the primary. The winner will face Richardson in the general election.

The winner of the Democratic primary will face Republican Danny Tarkanian, son of former UNLV basketball coach Jerry Tarkanian.

Cory, who arrived shortly before the end of filing on Friday afternoon, said running for the office is "What's in my heart."

John "Rob" Bishop, a Republican, and Bob Taylor, a Democrat, also have filed, along with Democratic Assemblyman David Goldwater.

Williams, who was fired from his job at Las Vegas Neighborhood Services last year after records showed he collected both city and legislative pay, said he won't treat this election differently than others. He faces Democrat Harvey Munford in the primary and Republican Cornell Clark in the general election.

Libertarian Charles Schneider and Independent American Robert Petersen also are running.

"You never know, but we always run it the same way," Williams said. "Run the first like your last and your last like your first."

DeVoe turned in his $300 filing fee by handing over a plastic bag of $1 bills.

"Money is not the real power," said DeVoe, who won't accept a contribution larger than $1. "The real power resides in the hearts and minds of the people, the citizens of democracy."

Richardson, who has run for the Assembly at least three times and the North Las Vegas City Council once, said Sunday he would work to bring more parks to the North Las Vegas area, address flood control and traffic problems and encourage economic development if elected.

He was wanted last week on a bench warrant issued by North Las Vegas Municipal Judge Warren Van Landschoot because Richardson skipped a court appearance on the traffic tickets.

Richardson, who works in casino security, took a positive view of his days in jail. Richardson, who also is a minister, said, "It gave me a chance to do some ministry in there."