ASSEMBLY DISTRICT 29

Thursday, Oct. 14, 2004 | 12:56 p.m.

A retired corrections officer and a teacher face off in the race to replace Republican Josh Griffin in Assembly District 29. Griffin chose to vacate his office after one term.

Democrat Susan Gerhardt rides an overwhelming primary victory -- she received 92 percent of the votes -- into the general election contest against Republican Anthony Bandiero. He won his primary by less than 200 votes, receiving just under 45 percent of the vote.

Gerhardt, 46, retired in June after eight years as a corrections officer with Metro Police.

If elected, Gerhardt said she would focus on education, health care and public safety.

Gerhardt said the schools are overcrowded, understaffed and some are dangerous.

She also wants to increase access to affordable health care.

Bandiero, 28, teaches science and life skills at the Summit View Youth Correctional Center near Nellis Air Force Base. He was also a lobbyist during the last legislative session.

Bandiero said his priorities, if elected, would be education, water issues and to fight against tax increases.

He also said he would work to protect the health care credit for employers and streamline doctor licensing.

Bandiero has been endorsed by several groups including the Nevada Association of Independent Businesses, the Las Vegas Metro Police Managers and Supervisors Association, the Las Vegas Metropolitan Police Civilian Employees Association, the Retail Association of Nevada and Subcontractors Association of Nevada.

Gerhardt has been endorsed by the Police Protective Association, the Nevada Conference of Police and Sheriffs, the Nevada State Education Association, the Southern Nevada Central Labor Council, the Southwest Regional Council of Carpenters, the Nevada Alliance for Retired Americans, the Professional Fire Fighters of Nevada and Culinary Workers Local 226.

Based on party registration, neither candidate has an edge in the district that is in Henderson, generally west of U.S. 95 and north of Interstate 215. There are about 12,900 Republicans and 12,800 Democrats in the district.