SENATE DISTRICT 6

Thursday, Oct. 14, 2004 | 1:24 a.m.

After a knocking off the incumbent in the primary, Republican Assemblyman Bob Beers now faces Independent American Party candidate Cathie Lynn Profant in his march toward becoming a state senator.

There is no Democratic candidate in the race for Senate District 6, which includes part of Summerlin and some surrounding northwest valley neighborhoods.

Beers, an assemblyman since 1998, was one of the most visible and outspoken of the 15 Assembly Republicans who fought to block last year's tax increase. And he vows to continue his anti-tax efforts if elected to the Nevada Senate.

Beers, 44, a certified public accountant, said he wants to roll back the more than $800 million in new taxes and return some money to residents. He also said he wants to put more money into the state's rainy-day fund.

Beers has been endorsed by the Las Vegas Metro Police Managers and Supervisors Association, the Henderson Chamber of Commerce, the Nevada Association of Realtors and the Nevada Federation of Independent Businesses.

Profant, 53, is an office manager for Profant Chiropractic.

She said that if elected she would look at increased taxes caused by rising home values, which is a subject that has received much attention lately, including proposals from some lawmakers to cap property-tax increases.

Profant also wants schools to spend money more efficiently, and supports a voucher system that she said would force schools to compete for students.

Based on party registration alone, Profant faces an uphill battle in District 6. There are about 27,400 Republicans and about 24,200 registered Democrats. However, there are about 1,400 registered Independent American Party members.

Beers defeated Sen. Ray Rawson in the primary.