Two GOP incumbents defeated up north

Wednesday, Nov. 3, 2004 | 9:56 a.m.

CARSON CITY -- Former Democratic Assemblywoman Debbie Smith of Sparks and Bonnie Parnell of Carson City won election Tuesday, defeating Republican incumbents who were strong opponents of the $833.5 million tax increase.

But veteran Republican Senate Majority Leader Bill Raggio of Reno and Sens. Dean Rhoads of Tuscarora and Mike McGinness of Fallon, who all supported the tax, won re-election over token opposition.

Only two incumbents in Northern Nevada lost in the legislative races -- Republican Don Gustavson of Sun Valley, who was defeated by Smith, and Ron Knecht of Carson City, beaten by Parnell.

The results may show that the tax increase in 2003 apparently didn't play a major part in the election campaign. Some who voted for the tax were re-elected and some who opposed the tax hike also won another term.

Assembly Minority Leader Lynn Hettrick, R-Gardnerville, an opposition leader to the tax, won a seventh term, beating Independent Randy Green in Assembly District 39 that includes Douglas County and parts of Carson City and Washoe County.

Gustavson, one of the 15 GOP Assemblymen who sought to block the tax increase, lost in his bid for a fifth term by a vote of 7,486 to 5,208.

Parnell, a two-term assemblywoman, retired in 2002, and Knecht won her seat. In this election, Parnell overcame a 3,000 Republican voter edge in the District 40 that covers part of Carson City and part of Washoe County.

Former five-term Assemblywoman Marcia de Braga of Fallon fell short in her bid to unseat Republican incumbent Pete Goichoechea of Eureka in Assembly District 35.

Here is a rundown:

Washoe Senate District 3: Raggio swept to a ninth term over minor opposition and is expected to be re-elected majority leader in the Senate. He polled 32,573 to 13,250 for Democrat Cameron Crain with and Independent American Gary Feero with 2,331.

Northern Nevada Senate District: Rhoads won his sixth term defeating IAP candidate Thomas Jefferson 23,947 to 6,236. The district covers Elko, Humboldt, Lander, Eureka, Pershing, White Pine and Lincoln counties and part of Nye County.

Washoe Assembly District 24: Republican Brooks Holcomb, who upset Assemblyman Jason Geddes in the primary election, defeated Democrat David Love 8,318 to 7,938. IAP candidate Patrick Lantis received 1,081.

Washoe Assembly District 25: Republican Heidi Seevers Gansert defeated Democrat Dan Meyer 18,941 to 9,488. Gansert will succeed Assemblywoman Dawn Gibbons who retired.

Washoe Assembly District 26: Republican incumbent Sharron Angle, one of the tax opponents, won a fourth term beating Democrat Paul Mozen 17,411 to 9,777.

Washoe Assembly District 27: Democrat incumbent Sheila Leslie won a fourth term defeating Republican Larry Martin 8,960 to 5,308.

Washoe Assembly District 30: Smith beat Gustavson 7,486 to 5,208.

Washoe Assembly District 31: Democrat incumbent Bernie Anderson won a sixth term defeating Republican Randy Thompson 8,466 to 5,824.

Assembly District 32: Republican incumbent John Marvel of Battle Mountain captured a 14th term defeating Democrat Joan Morrow, 18,3223 to 9,329.

Assembly District 33: Republican incumbent John Carpenter of Elko was unopposed in winning a 10th term with 12,425 votes.

Assembly District 35: Goicoechea, a foe of the tax increase, polled 10,036 to 7,430 for de Braga and 534 for IAP Linwood Tracy Jr.

Assembly District 36: Republican incumbent Roderick Sherer of Pahrump won a second term beating IAP Jackie Holmgren of Mineral County, polling 14,394 to 5,239.

Assembly District 38: Republican incumbent Tom Grady of Yerington won a second term beating Democrat Cathylee James and IAP Dennis Gomez. Grady got 14,336 to 8,638 for James and 864 for Gomez.

Assembly District 39: Hettrick outpolled Green 16,256 to 9,375.

Assembly District 40: Parnell defeated Knecht 10,077 to 8,553 with IAP Merritt (Ike) Yochum getting 495.