ASSEMBLY DISTRICT 2

Thursday, Oct. 14, 2004 | 12:57 p.m.

Republican Garn Mabey is attempting to maintain his Assembly District 2 seat, and is being challenged by Democrat Geoffrey VanderPal.

Mabey is running on a record that, as he put it in a mailer, stood for individual liberty and responsibility, less government, tort reform, health care and education.

He also is a supporter of the Republican Contract With Nevada, which has much the same issues as those Mabey listed in his mailer. The mailer also touts his endorsement from U.S. Sen. John Ensign, who calls him "an asset to Nevada."

Mabey spoke to the Las Vegas Sun about a provision in the contract that promised to change medical-malpractice laws even if Question 3, the "Keep Our Doctors in Nevada," fails. The initiative would cap pain and suffering damages at $350,000.

Mabey, 46, who is a doctor, said laws recently passed to control medical-malpractice suits -- as well as construction defects -- haven't done enough to drive down costs caused by frivolous lawsuits.

"Doctors are continuing to leave the state," he said. "The legislative bills haven't worked to keep our doctors in Nevada."

VanderPal wrote in a Sun questionnaire that he supports increased funding in education and a property-tax cap "that can continue to maintain necessary ... services to meet our exploding population."

He also wrote that he would like to see a nonpartisan state auditor, raise the homestead exemption from $125,000 to $750,000 or higher, and reinstate the Medical Review Board and better screen doctors by enhancing the Medical Licensing Board.

VanderPal, 31, is acting chief investment officer of Carlson Media Group and president of Elite Financial Planning Group of America.