ASSEMBLY DISTRICT 6

Thursday, Oct. 14, 2004 | 1:35 a.m.

Democratic hopeful Harvey Munford wants to carry on a tradition in Assembly District 6 in every election since it was created in 1973.

That is, that black Democrats have won the office every time -- Marion Bennett (1973-82), Gene Collins (1983-86) and Wendell Williams (1987-2004).

Standing in Munford's way in the general election are Republican Cornell Clark, who grew up in the district; Independent American Robert Petersen; and Libertarian Charles Schneider.

Munford, 64, garnered 57 percent of the primary vote, defeating nine-term incumbent Williams, a man he had lost to by a 2-to-1 margin in the Democratic primary four years ago.

But Williams this time was carrying the baggage of ethical woes, including being paid for his Las Vegas Neighborhood Services job while he was in Carson City, which cost him his city job. Williams also was accused of using his elected position to get a community college clerical job for a friend.

Munford was a school teacher for 36 years before his retirement this year. The last 26 years he taught history and government at Bonanza High School. For the last 25 years he taught at night at the Community College of Southern Nevada.

Munford has a master's degree in guidance counseling with an emphasis on political science from Eastern Montana College, now called Montana State University-Billings.

Munford's platform includes bringing in good jobs and improving education in his district.

Clark, Peterson and Schneider had no primary opponents.

Clark, 48, a graduate of Bishop Gorman High School, is a physician who got his medical degree from the University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine.

He said he wants to improve the local job market and education, make health care more affordable, expand the West Las Vegas Library and scrutinize the rapid rise in utility rates.

Petersen, 65, the owner of an Internet-based business, says he supports any bill or law "that is supported by the principles of the Constitution of the United States (and) the Constitution of Nevada," and the 10 Commandments.

Schneider did not respond to a Sun questionnaire.

District 6, which includes West Las Vegas and areas around the Spaghetti Bowl, has three times more registered Democrats than Republicans.