ASSEMBLY DISTRICT 9

Thursday, Oct. 14, 2004 | 1:36 a.m.

Assemblywoman Chris Giunchigliani, D-Las Vegas, has had an eventful couple of years since she last faced voters.

But she faces no major-party opponent as she runs for an eighth term in Assembly District 9.

Trying to topple the high-profile lawmaker in a heavily Democratic district is Lee Haynes of the Independent American Party.

Giunchigliani, 49, resigned in July from her job as director of school district and community relations at the Community College of Southern Nevada, where she was embroiled in the ongoing scandal over Assemblyman Wendell Williams, D-Las Vegas, who lost his primary race.

Giunchigliani claimed she blew the whistle on Williams by telling her supervisor that college employee Topazia "Briget" Jones, an aide to Williams, was making improper visits to Carson City.

In retaliation, Giunchigliani charged, the college took away her duties. Giunchigliani filed a whistleblower complaint against the college; a state hearing officer gave the complaint the go-ahead in August.

In campaigning for re-election, she cites her record as "an experienced and effective advocate" and her "willingness to fight for what I believe is right," saying she has worked to reform education, support needy seniors and help working families.

If re-elected she said she will work to reduce kindergarten class sizes, add days to the school year and give schools money for books and supplies. She also advocates health care for the uninsured, environmental protection and fairer property taxes.

Giunchigliani is endorsed by a number of education, police and labor unions; the Nevada Conservation League; the Nevada Manufactured Home Owners; and the state medical and psychological associations.

Haynes, 63, describes himself as a semi-retired day laborer who is working to open a smoke shop.

He is a political activist who this year led efforts to recall Las Vegas Councilwoman Janet Moncrief and Gov. Kenny Guinn and filed a complaint against Assembly Speaker Richard Perkins, D-Henderson.

In past years he circulated an anti-pornography petition and had complaints against then-Las Vegas Mayor Jan Jones.

Haynes said his priority is property rights. "I think we need a cap on taxes and a severe limitation on eminent domain," he said.

Haynes would work to enact a state constitutional prohibition on business taxes similar to the one that bars personal income taxes. He also believes the Clark County School District needs to be broken up into smaller, more manageable, less powerful entities.