Editorial: And the winner is …

Wednesday, Sept. 8, 2004 | 9:01 a.m.

Challengers usually don't defeat incumbents in primary elections, and that was true in most of the races Tuesday in Southern Nevada. But in four contests that drew much of the attention, challengers won all of them, although no one should be too surprised. It certainly wasn't a shock that County Commissioner Mary Kincaid-Chauncey, who was indicted following a public corruption probe by the FBI, lost in the Democratic primary to state Assemblyman Tom Collins. In two key legislative races, one of the most well-known anti-tax state lawmakers, Sen. Ann O'Connell, R-Las Vegas, was beaten by Joe Heck. Ironically, it was O'Connell's co-sponsorship of a tax increase (and her disingenuous attack on the gaming industry, saying that it had tried to get its taxes lowered) that contributed to her defeat. Meanwhile, state Assemblyman Bob Beers defeated Sen. Ray Rawson i n a Republican primary race that created a political odd couple -- and a tough choice for conservative Republicans. Beers (! a fiscal conservative who is liberal on some social issues) was pitted against Rawson (a social conservative who voted in favor of increased taxes last year). And, finally, state Assemblyman Wendell Williams, D-Las Vegas, lost to former high school teacher Harvey Munford, who was able to capitalize on Williams' many ethical lapses.

Next on the political calendar, and less than two months away, is the general election. Nevada is considered to be one of the 17 battleground states where the presidential election could be decided -- an election that very well could hinge on Republican George Bush's plan to bury nuclear waste in Nevada, a project that Democrat John Kerry says he will work to kill if elected president. Add to that the re-election candidacy of Sen. Harry Reid, the No. 2 Democrat in the U.S. Senate. Republican Richard Ziser will find Reid, a formidable presence in the Senate, to be just as formidable a political opponent.

While there were some surprises this primary, there was one that wasn't -- voter turnout was pitiful again. Only 25 percent of registered voters in Clark County cast ballots. No matter your party affiliation, that is an embarrassment that we hope the tens of thousands who sat out this election won't let happen again in November.