ASSEMBLY DISTRICT 37

Thursday, Oct. 14, 2004 | 12:44 p.m.

Democrat incumbent Marcus Conklin is being opposed in Assembly District 37 by Republican Sandra Vitolo, who challenged the outcome of Conklin's first legislative bid in 2002.

Vitolo was involved in a challenge of Conklin's 2002 victory, claiming that as many as 160 votes were cast fraudulently in the race that Conklin won by 134 votes.

The challenge was later thrown out, and Vitolo was written off by some Democrats as a political novice who was a pawn of some Republican Party members.

However, in the September GOP primary, Vitolo showed she was a legitimate political force, garnering 64.4 percent of the vote in a two-person race.

Conklin, 34, did not have a Democratic primary opponent.

Conklin served as vice chairman of the Assembly Procedures and Ethics Committee and was a member of the Judiciary Committee and the natural resources, agriculture and mining committees.

A University of Redlands (Calif.), graduate, Conklin has a master's degree in political science from Midwestern State University in Texas. Part of his platform is to ensure that education funds are best being used for students.

Conklin, a corporate director of sales, says he also will push for accessible and affordable health care and economic diversification to attract quality companies to Nevada.

Conklin also is chairman of Nevada partnership for Homeless Youth.

Vitolo, 55, has an associate's degree in dental assistance and received instruction at the Air Force Senior Noncommissioned Officers Academy.

She is a retired Air Force chief master sergeant who says her 28 years in the military gave her leadership and managerial experience.

Vitolo says limiting taxes, improving education and providing accessible and affordable health care are her priorities.

There are about 1,500 more Democrats than Republicans in District 37 that generally is bounded by an area north of Craig Road, El Capitan Way, Tenaya Way, Cheyenne Avenue, U.S. 95, Jones Boulevard and Washington Avenue.