Tuesday, Oct. 19, 2004 | 9:08 a.m.
In today's endorsement editorial, we consider half of the contested races for the state Assembly. We take up the other half on Wednesday.
Democrat Marilyn Kirkpatrick, a native Nevadan seeking an open seat in District 1, would be an excellent addition to the Legislature. She's a businesswoman who not only understands the concerns of the private sector, but also is in touch with her community and why it's so important to provide a first-rate education in our public schools. The Sun endorses Marilyn Kirkpatrick.
In District 2, we supported Garn Mabey's candidacy in 2002 when he first sought election, but it's hard for us to again support someone who during the 2003 Legislature voted against raising taxes adequately to give public schools a sufficient level of funding. It was the stubbornness of a group of Assembly Republicans, which included Mabey, that caused a political meltdown and nearly created a constitutional crisis when the Legislature wasn't able to pass a balanced budget on time. Mabey does have a Democratic opponent, Geoffrey VanderPal, but he is an untested candidate. The Sun offers no endorsement in this race.
Assemblywoman Peggy Pierce, a Democrat, is seeking re-election in District 3. Pierce, who is a community liaison for the Culinary Union, understands the needs of working people and also, importantly, has promoted water conservation and better protection of the environment. The Sun endorses Peggy Pierce.
In District 4, Republican Francis Allen is expected to win her race since no Democrat filed and her only opponent is an Independent American Party candidate. Although Allen isn't looking to scuttle the entire tax package, she says she wouldn't have voted for it if she had been in office. If Allen is elected, we hope that she will grow into the job. But we aren't comfortable enough with her candidacy, and we also have concerns with her lack of knowledge on some issues, which at this time prevent us from offering her our endorsement.
Democrat Kirk Kaplan is running against Valerie Weber, yet another Republican lawmaker who held the Legislature -- and funding for schools -- hostage by refusing to vote for needed tax increases to pay for these essential services. Kaplan, who has lived in Las Vegas for nearly three decades and is an attorney and a certified public accountant, has a real understanding of the needs of small business. And, unlike the incumbent in District 5, he knows that our public schools deserve better than they've been receiving from the Legislature. The Sun endorses Kirk Kaplan. Democrat Harvey Munford defeated incumbent Wendell Williams in the District 6 primary. Munford, a former government teacher in high school who recently retired after 34 years, would be a steadying presence in the Legislature. The Sun endorses Harvey Munford.
In District 7, Democratic Assemblyman Morse Arberry Jr. has built an impressive record as chairman of the powerful Ways and Means Committee, which sets the spending priorities. Arberry has a tough job, balancing the funding needs of very deserving state agencies with a limited pool of money, but he has done it well. The Sun endorses Morse Arberry Jr. Assembly Majority Leader Barbara Buckley, a Democrat in District 8, has done an outstanding job of looking out for the needs of the working people of this state, especially on health care issues. It's easy, after watching her achievements over the years, to see why many regard her as Nevada's best lawmaker. The Sun endorses Barbara Buckley.
Democratic Assemblywoman Chris Giunchigliani of District 9 almost never shies away from letting the public know how she really feels about an issue, a commendable trait not often found in politics today, where officials fear rocking the boat and potentially alienating voters. The Sun endorses Chris Giunchigliani. Democrat Joseph Hogan, who was an attorney for a variety of federal agencies -- NASA and the Defense and Labor departments before his retirement in the late 1980s -- is seeking an open seat in District 10. Hogan is one of the more knowledgeable candidates we've come across this year and we believe he would be a welcome presence in the Legislature. The Sun endorses Joseph Hogan.
Assemblyman Bob McCleary, a Democrat, first won election to the Assembly in 2002 following his surprising victory over Assemblyman Doug Bache in their primary. McCleary didn't garner too much attention during his freshman year, but we're hopeful that if re-elected he will be able to continue to grow into the job of representing the constituents of District 11. The Sun endorses Bob McCleary. In District 12, Democratic Assemblywoman Genie Ohrenschall is seeking her sixth term. She has been a compassionate legislator, advocating more consumer protections and backing legislation to help trailer park residents. The Sun endorses Genie Ohrenschall.
In District 13, Republican Assemblyman Chad Christensen is seeking re-election after a dismal freshman year, highlighted by his opposition to raise taxes to pay for vital services, not the least of which was providing enough money to educate this state's children. Voters also should remember that the Nevada secretary of state's office fined Christensen $4,500 in April for failing to detail campaign loans, expenses and contributions on his disclosure forms. Fortunately for voters in District 13, they have one of the top candidates challenging an incumbent this year -- Justin Jones, a Democrat. Jones, an attorney, is bright and understands some of the tough, complex issues facing this state. We're pleased that Jones is committed to securing better education for children and providing affordable health care coverage for Nevadans. The Sun endorses Justin Jo nes. In District 14, Democratic Assemblywoman Ellen Koivisto clearly is the best candidate. She's worked tirelessly on ! the behalf of the people of her district and has developed an excellent track record on health care issues. The Sun endorses Ellen Koivisto.
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