Heller rejects conflict claim

Kirsten Searer

Friday, Oct. 8, 2004 | 9:42 a.m.

A Democratic-leaning group called on Secretary of State Dean Heller to refrain from campaigning for President Bush through the November election.

America Coming Together, a nonprofit, third-party group, pointed Thursday to a recent article from Roll Call newspaper reporting that Heller is one of three secretaries of state in 15 battleground states who has endorsed or appeared on behalf of a presidential candidate this year.

Terence Tolbert, state director of American Coming Together, said he's concerned that Heller would be viewed as biased if voting results are challenged in Nevada, and Heller was in charge of overseeing the recount of votes.

"For someone who's responsible for elections, we think he should be more of a statesman and less of a politician," Tolbert said.

Heller issued a press release calling the issue "ludicrous."

"The only activity I have taken part in is appearing at several visits the president and vice president have made in this state and speaking at one of those events," Heller said. "I have not openly campaigned for the president, nor do I serve in my capacity for his re-election campaign.

"I guess the people behind this letter are desperate to paint anyone who does not toe the line and support their candidate as partisan."

Heller gave comments in support of Bush at a June 19 rally in Reno. As he warmed up the crowd for the president, Heller said, "John Kerry changes his position more often than a Nevada prostitute."

He also spoke in support of Bush in April, when the Bush-Cheney campaign opened its Las Vegas headquarters.

Roll Call reported that several election leaders said it is inappropriate to campaign because of the Florida election of 2000, when former Florida Secretary of State Katherine Harris was accused of bias during a recount of votes.

Harris had served as a co-chairwoman for the Bush-Cheney campaign in Florida.

Heller pointed out in the press release that Nevada has switched to touch-screen voting machines that give a paper printout voters can verify before they officially cast their vote.

The state keeps the printout in case of a problem with counting votes. Heller said the machines were ordered to "ensure voter confidence and accuracy."