1st Congressional District

Thursday, Oct. 14, 2004 | 12:49 p.m.

Beyond facing two opponents this election, Rep. Shelley Berkley, D-Nev., has to make sure that about 120,000 new constituents know what she does for her district.

Berkley estimates that many people have moved into the 1st Congressional District, which covers parts of Clark County, in the last two years and that's just one of the unusual aspects of campaigning in one of the country's fastest growing areas.

She said in most areas, candidates would see the same people in the same precincts year after year, but in Southern Nevada she always meets people new to the area and in precincts that did not exist last time.

Berkley, 53, said every cycle is different but was hesitant to call this an easy race.

"This time I seem to have good control of the issues," she said. "I'm comfortable with the job, and I think my constituents are comfortable with me."

She is concentrating on homeland security, health care access, job security and education.

Berkley faces Republican Russ Mickelson and Libertarian Jim Duensing in the general election.

Mickelson said he entered the race "out of concern for vital issues facing the United States and Nevada."

He wants to strengthen homeland security by implementing the 9/11 Commission's recommendations and to have better aviation security.

"If people get the idea it is not safe to travel, what happens here?" Mickelson said. "It's vital to Nevada."

He wants to identify all people entering the United States, including why they are here and what they are bringing to the country.

"Who knows what they are bringing with them," Mickelson said.

He is also concerned about the accident and terrorist attack risks associated with transporting nuclear waste to the proposed repository at Yucca Mountain, 90 miles northwest of Las Vegas, and the potential effect on the state's economy.

Mickelson wants to focus on senior-citizen issues that include prescription drug prices and health care costs.

"I keep running into senior citizens, and they all have these problems," Mickelson said. "I don't think I have all the answers but will address them. I am willing to fact-find."

Mickelson, a 28-year Air Force officer, a former Air Force pilot and retired Defense Department employee, won the GOP primary with 63 percent of the vote against Lewis Byer and Francisco Tamez.

He did not provide his age on a Sun questionnaire, citing the recommendation of "identity theft experts," but said he's lived in Las Vegas since 1977.

Duensing, a Libertarian radio show host, promises not to vote for any bill he has not read.

This is Duensing's first run for public office. He said he was inspired by a lack of a "fair choice" between the Republicans and the Democrats.

"They both want bigger government, more control over your life, more taxes," Duensing said of Berkley and Mickelson. "There is no difference between the two parties at the top. The situation is so bad, somebody had to do something."

Duensing, 27, believes his youth and education will help him in Congress.

"I have not previously held government office, which is good because the American people would rather have a citizen legislator than a career ruler," Duensing said. "I am not being held to special interests."

If elected, he would be the youngest member in the House, a title now held by Rep. Adam Putnam, R-Fla. who is 30.