Tuesday, Oct. 19, 2004 | 9:40 a.m.
The factors at work in the race to represent state Assembly District 29 leave Democrat Susan Gerhardt and Republican Anthony Bandiero locked in what should be a close race for this open seat.
The Democrats and Republicans both have about 13,000 registered voters in the district, which is in Henderson and generally west of U.S. 95 and north of Interstate 215.
Both candidates are making their first runs for elected office, and both candidates have spent months going door to door throughout their district meeting potential voters.
"Obviously the registration (parity) makes this a real battleground," said the district's sitting assemblyman, Republican Josh Griffin, who said the low pay for legislators was a major factor in his decision not to seek re-election.
"And because it's an open seat, obviously whoever works the hardest and runs the best campaign wins. But who that is, I think, is still to be determined."
The two candidates entered the race on equal footing but are standing in vastly different periods in their lives.
Gerhardt, 46, is a retired Metro Police corrections officer, who remarried about a year ago and has a 20-year-old son.
"I've been following politics for a long time and it just seemed like the perfect time to try," Gerhardt said. "And I have a desire to continue serving the public."
On the other side of the political aisle is Bandiero, a 28-year-old science and life skills teacher at the Summit View Youth Corrections Center near Nellis Air Force Base.
While other candidates might show off their spouses and children, Bandiero's campaign Web site, anthonybandiero.com, includes pictures of his aunt's dog Star and his dog Sumo.
Although Bandiero is making his first run for elected office, if he wins it won't be his first legislative session. Before becoming a teacher, Bandiero was a lobbyist and spent the last session in Carson City. He was a registered lobbyist for the Mechanical Contractors Association of Nevada, National Electrical Contractors Association, Nevada Petroleum Marketers and Convenience Store Association, Nevada Rental Association, Rental Industry Association and the Western Petroleum Marketers Association.
The Republican said he wasn't considering running for the Assembly until the great tax debate of the last legislative session.
"They could have done a better job with the type of the tax and the amount," Bandiero said. Specifically, he said, banks were unfairly hit with steep increases.
If elected, Bandiero said, he would not vote for any new taxes or tax increases.
Bandiero also said he is concerned about water and transportation issues and would be a "pro-education" assemblyman who would push for performance audits in public schools.
Gerhardt said education would be a top priority for her as well, in addition to health care and public safety. She also favors a cap on property tax increases caused by increases in property values.
Gerhardt said her life experience sets her apart from Bandiero. She has raised a son, who graduated from Clark County public schools, and that gave her first-hand experience with the local education system.
She's had two careers, one managing a dental practice, then eight years as a Metro corrections officer, during which time she received special commendations -- one for work with a fallen officer's family, and another for restraining a combative airline passenger while off duty.
Bandiero said his "fiscal conservative background" sets him apart from Gerhardt.
Bandiero has been endorsed by several groups including the Nevada Association of Independent Businesses, Las Vegas Metro Police Managers and Supervisors Association, Las Vegas Metropolitan Police Civilian Employees Association, Retail Association of Nevada, and Subcontractors Association of Nevada.
According to Gerhardt's campaign Web site, susangerhardt.com, groups endorsing her include the Police Protective Association, Nevada Conference of Police and Sheriffs, Nevada State Education Association, Southern Nevada Central Labor Council, Southwest Regional Council of Carpenters, Nevada Alliance for Retired Americans, Professional Fire Fighters of Nevada and Culinary Workers Local No. 226.
Bandiero won his primary by less than 200 votes, receiving just under 45 percent of the vote, while Gerhardt cruised through the primary winning 92 percent of the votes.
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