Editorial: Our choices for Senate

Monday, Oct. 18, 2004 | 9:12 a.m.

In Senate District 1, former Democratic Assemblyman John Lee is seeking to defeat Republican Sen. Ray Shaffer, a former Democrat who switched parties after he last won re-election. Shaffer quite simply lacks the stature so needed in Carson City. We also question his commitment to the job. When the Legislature was casting its final vote on last year's $833 million tax increase, he was attending a conference in Hawaii instead. Lee, in contrast, was a solid, hard-working legislator during his three terms in the Assembly. The Sun endorses John Lee.

Sen. Valerie Wiener, a Democrat, is seeking re-election in District 3. Wiener has been a thoughtful lawmaker, focusing on important issues such as consumer protection, health care, education and juvenile justice. The Sun endorses Valerie Wiener.

Sen. Joe Neal, after representing District 4 for 32 years, decided last year not to run again this election. Steven Horsford, the Democratic nominee in District 4, believes much more funding should be devoted to education. Horsford, who runs the Culinary Training Academy and is chief executive of the nonprofit job-training group Nevada Partners, is the kind of community leader that the Legislature could use. The Sun endorses Steven Horsford.

In District 5, incumbent Ann O'Connell was defeated in the Republican primary by Joe Heck. He brought a lot of reason and fresh ideas to the primary and is continuing to do so during the general election. While he ran a bit to the right in the primary, we nevertheless believe that he is bright, earnest and would make a solid choice. The Sun endorses Joe Heck.

Assemblyman Bob Beers defeated Sen. Ray Rawson in the Republican primary in District 6. No Democrat filed to run, and Beers' only opponent is an Independent American Party candidate, who wants to repeal the tax increase passed last year. Normally we would endorse Beers, as we did last election, but his misguided anti-tax crusade during the last legislative session was destructive, causing a needless impasse that lengthened the session well beyond what it should have run. Beers demonstrated that he puts his ideology above reason. The Sun offers no endorsement in this race.

In District 7, Senate Minority Leader Dina Titus, a Democrat, is seeking her fifth term. Titus, a university professor, is one of the brightest members of the Legislature. She's been a proponent of stronger ethics laws and and an advocate for better regional planning by local governments. The Sun endorses Dina Titus.

Sen. Mike Schneider, a Democrat in District 11, is facing a tough challenge from Danny Tarkanian, a Republican. Tarkanian, a businessman, is the son of former UNLV basketball coach Jerry Tarkanian and former Clark County School Board member Lois Tarkanian. We know Danny Tarkanian and respect him. However, given the nature of the issues that will be confronting state lawmakers, and all of the turnover in the seats in the Legislature that already has taken place, it is important to have as much experience and stability as possible. Schneider, who is seeking his third term, has previously supported more funding for education, something that is vital to the future of Clark County. The Sun endorses Mike Schneider.

In the Central Nevada Senate District, which stretches down to the northern edges of Clark County, Sen. Mike McGinness is seeking his fourth term. McGinness is a steady, diligent lawmaker who has a command of the issues. The Sun endorses Mike McGinness.